Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and SMEs (CENTIM)
SoNaR: Social start-ups, sustainable impact
SoNaR pursues the goal of increasing the performance and competitiveness of companies that are oriented towards the common good and specifically promoting social and ecological sustainability. To this end, the programme offers needs-based support to those interested in setting up a business and to companies already active in the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg region. This is made possible by funding from the BMWK from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) with a project duration of 24 months (December 2024 to December 2026).
A strong network for sustainable innovation
The project is being implemented by three universities from the Bonn area and surrounding region: Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, the University of Bonn and Alanus University are combining their expertise to provide founders:inside and existing companies with targeted support to maximise their social and ecological impact. This interdisciplinary collaboration creates a strong network that promotes sustainable business models and drives the socio-ecological transformation in the region and beyond.
The project is aimed at:
- Students, employees and alumni of the universities with an interest in community-oriented start-ups
- Existing public benefit-oriented companies in their start-up or growth phase
- Existing companies that are open to further developing their business models or individual business areas for the common good
- The general public with the aim of creating awareness for the common good and sustainable forms of business
Supporting start-ups that focus on the common good and sustainable business models
SoNaR not only provides targeted support for start-ups that focus on the common good, but also raises awareness of socially and ecologically sustainable business practices. The project offers practical formats that support prospective founders and existing companies in various phases:
Individual consultation & qualification
Customised consulting services for those interested in founding a company and existing non-profit companies, for example on sustainable business models, financing and impact measurement.
Impact clusters & networking events
Establishment of a regional network that specifically strengthens the exchange between people interested in founding a company, impact start-ups, established companies, investors and funding institutions. Regular dialogue formats, pitch events and matching events bring players together.
Inspiration & awareness programs
Information events, hackathons and topic-specific workshops make the opportunities of entrepreneurship for the common good visible and offer space for innovation.
Transfer & scaling
Development of good practice approaches and guidelines that can be applied beyond the region.
The three universities are working together closely and synergistically across all phases. In addition to general support, the University of Bonn also contributes its own thematic expertise in the cross-cutting topics of games and accessibility. Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg and Alanus University of Applied Sciences advise the target groups individually on setting up or transforming into companies for the common good. Their expertise complements each other perfectly: H-BRS has extensive experience in business start-up consulting, while Alanus University of Applied Sciences focuses on sustainability. This holistic approach enables SoNaR to effectively promote innovative solutions for sustainable business models.
Joint implementation with strong partners
SoNaR is implemented in close cooperation with various stakeholders from business, science and civil society. These include start-ups with business models geared towards the common good, investors such as NRW.BANK and organisations such as the Bonn Sustainability Hub.
Shaping the future: SoNaR as a driving force
With SoNaR, we are strengthening the region's start-up culture that is geared towards the common good, opening up new opportunities in social and sustainable business and promoting a future-proof, climate-friendly business landscape.
Contact persons at the universities
Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg / CENTIM
Contact: Karoline Noth (Project Manager SoNaR)
University of Bonn / Transfer Centre enaCom
Contact: Sandra Speer (Head of Department)
Alanus University
Contact: Lukas Kiefer & Paul Zieger (Project Manager SoNaR)
Contact points
Kontakt zum CENTIM
Campus
Rheinbach
Room
Gebäude H, 3. Etage
Opening hours
Termine nach Vereinbarung: Bitte kontaktieren Sie das CENTIM Team
Start-up-Manufaktur - Kontakt
Campus
Sankt Augustin
Room
F413 (Campus Sankt Augustin), H306 (Campus Rheinbach)
Opening hours
nach Vereinbarung