Auf die Plätze, fertig - PITCH!

We are bringing sport and start-ups together in the grand finale of the German Sport University Cologne incubator, the StarS squad.

On July 3, 2026, the German Sport University Cologne will once again become a stage for ideas, inspiring personalities and the future of the sports and (Cologne) start-up ecosystem.

The final of the DSHS incubator "StarS-Kader" is not a classic pitch event. The teams have to overcome 3 hurdles:

• Presentation of their image video
• Live pitch in front of the audience
• and pass 90 seconds of questions at "roast my start-up"

You can also look forward to

• exciting insights into sports business & entrepreneurship
• a Start-up Market & a Newcomer Area with early-stage ideas
• Networking with people from the Cologne start-up ecosystem over food & drinks
• And many exciting guests like: Jonas Hector, Luca Waldschmidt, Kathi Baum, Marc Ebinger, Léa Krüger, Nelvie Tiafack and many more!

The event will take place in the foyer and lecture hall 1 of the DSHS. You can find a map of the DSHS here.