Holistic support for sustainable start-up ideas
Start-up incubator HOLII launches again
2025-12-01 With the Holistic Impact Incubator (HOLII), Leuphana has created a six-month support programme for students, alumni and researchers in the Hamburg metropolitan region who are interested in starting their own business. The focus is on start-up projects that contribute to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. HOLII accompanies teams from the initial vision to the market-ready product, imparting entrepreneurial knowledge and impact expertise while strengthening self-management, resilience and team culture. In this interview, programme coordinator Nicol Hartz explains what makes HOLII special, who can apply and why it is worth joining even with an idea that is still in its infancy.
What exactly is an incubator? And what does holistic mean in this context?
An incubator is a support programme that helps young or immature business ideas develop into a viable business model. HOLII is aimed at start-up teams whose ideas pursue at least one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. With us, they acquire the necessary knowledge and key entrepreneurial skills to start a business in a holistically sustainable way. We also help them build their own network to support them on their start-up journey. HOLII promotes proactive, self-initiated action – a factor that has been proven to increase start-up success. Participants experience that they can advance their ideas step by step on their own. In this way, we strengthen their self-efficacy and at the same time reduce the uncertainties associated with starting a business.
Our incubator is holistic in three dimensions: First, we respond to the support needs of founders with a variety of formats: workshops, individual video calls, mentoring and the establishment of suitable networks. Secondly, the learning content covers a wide range of topics – from start-up know-how and impact measurement to team and self-management skills and resilience. Thirdly, we take a holistic view of the impact of the start-up ideas by broadly considering the anticipated changes for nature and society.
What kind of start-up ideas or projects do you want to address with the programme?
HOLII is primarily aimed at students, alumni and researchers who want to make a positive contribution to society or the environment with their ideas. We often work with teams that are active in the fields of sustainability, social innovation, education, health, transformative technologies or sustainable business models. The decisive factor is not so much the maturity of the idea as the desire to bring something relevant into the world – and the openness to further develop the project in a collaborative process. At HOLII, we then engage in early discussions with the teams about the ecological and social impact of their idea – this clearly distinguishes us from many traditional incubators.
How does HOLII work in practice – from the initial application to workshops and coaching sessions to possible pitches – and how much time should participants allow?
After the application, we review all submitted projects to see if they are a good fit for the programme. We base our decision on the Sustainable Development Goals and also consider whether the team has the necessary commitment. We then start with a kick-off workshop, which offers a first pitching opportunity at the Utopia New Year's Party on 29 January. This is followed by regular workshops on topics such as Founders Why, vision and mission, prototyping, sustainable business model development, impact logic, resilience and finance. The programme concludes with a public pitching event where teams can win jury or audience awards.
Participants should plan to spend an average of 10–20 hours per week on the programme.
What support do participants receive and who accompanies them? How does participating in HOLII change things for founders?
The teams receive a combination of methodological know-how, expert input and access to a robust network. They are supported by the HOLII core team – Ele Jansen and myself – as well as mentors who contribute specific practical expertise. For specific questions, we can also draw on experts from our extended network.
Many participants report that HOLII changes three things in particular: First, they gain clarity about their own idea and the next steps. Secondly, they develop self-efficacy because they experience that they can overcome challenges independently and their skills visibly grow. And thirdly, they establish helpful contacts with other teams, potential partners and a network that supports them in the long term.
HOLII has already run several times in the past – under the umbrella of Startup Port. Has anything changed in the concept since then?
HOLII is still a Startup Port programme and is therefore accessible to founders from all partner universities and research institutions in the Hamburg metropolitan region. The concept has been specifically developed further as part of the new funding. The basic idea of providing impact-oriented support to teams at an early stage remains the same.
At the same time, we have revised the programme based on the experience gained from previous rounds: we have extended the duration so that the teams have more time for their development, and the support has been intensified in order to be able to respond to challenges on a more individual basis. In addition, we are placing greater emphasis on team development and the expansion of internal resources, and we are promoting a deeper understanding of the problems that need to be addressed. Prototyping is also being given a greater role so that ideas can be realised and tested at an earlier stage.
How can interested students and researchers apply, what requirements should they meet – and what advice would you give to someone who is still unsure whether HOLII is ‘already’ the right fit for their idea?
Founders and founding teams from the Hamburg metropolitan region with an idea related to the Sustainable Development Goals can apply at www.holii.de until 10 December. The application process is straightforward and can be completed on our website.
More important than finished ideas are curiosity, motivation and openness to feedback. If you are unsure whether your idea is sufficiently developed, you are still welcome to apply or arrange a meeting with us. Often, it quickly becomes clear during the exchange that an idea has more potential than you initially thought. My advice: don't wait until everything is perfect. HOLII is there to help you take the first steps together.
Important Dates
10 December 2025 Application deadline
13 December 2025 Interviews
18 December 2025 Announcement of participants
29 January 2026 Start of the programme
More information and registration for the programme on the HOLII website
For the curious:
HOLII Sneak Peak: Insights into regenerative entrepreneurship
Wednesday, 3 December 2025 | 2 – 5 p.m.
Utopia Lüneburg
Katzenstraße 1A, 21335 Lüneburg
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.
