Next class meeting we want to get together in groups to discuss possible business startup ideas.  

Please remeber that the foundation for a new business is to serve a specific problem or need. So make sure to focus on that.

Furthermore, look for an idea that is scalable. You will be making a presentation about your startup to possible investors, and investors won't risk their capital on a business without good growth possibilies.

You may have noticed the rising popularity of the 'Greens' in Germany. Perhaps an increased awareness of green issues could increase the demand for goods and services identified with the "green" label. To help you get started, especially if you a 'green' fan, please google "green start up ideas" and follow some of the links. Be careful with green ideas, however. Many are not scalable.

Alternatively, if you might be more interested in starting a mobile apps business try this link and this link.

Quirky is an online portal where a community of inventors present, evaluate , develop and market new inventions. It's a good site for finding ideas. If you don't want to register, just click on 'shop' and then 'influence'.

And here is a story about an business idea to turn America's roads into solar panels.

By all means, feel free to search the web on your own for other resources (English -language web sites only, please). for example:

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=apps+business+startup+ideas

or

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=business+startup+ideas

If these references don't inspire you to come up with a brand-new idea, then copy some ideas and modify them to suit a German or European context. Come up with at least three ideas.

 In class next week we'll get together in teams to brainstorm about choosing a product or service for a business start up.

This will form the basis for a presentation (more details here) your group will make during the course of the semester.