ResearchResearch projects
Entrepreneurship and start-ups

Research Focus on Entrepreneurship and Start-Ups

Research projects

The term "year" refers to the start year of the research project in case of "Current research projects" and to the time of completion in case of "Completed research projects". For "Current research projects" the most recent project appears at the top, for "Completed research projects" the most recently completed project appears at the top.

Current research projects

Basic research

  • Business Plan-Competitions: Effects on Award Winners and Entrepreneurial Eco-Systems in Lower Saxony.
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Lennard Stolz
    Year: 2022
    Funding: Förderprogramm Pro*Niedersachsen des Niedersächsischen Ministeriums für Wissenschaft und Kultur
    Duration: 2019 - 2022
  • Entrepreneurship in rural areas: scope, determinants and regional economic effects (EntreLR)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Lennard Stolz; Niels Wendt
    Year: 2021
    Funding: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
    Duration: 2021 - 2024
  • ReDiCOV - Regional economic disparities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak: the role of digitalization and working-from-home
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Louis Knüpling, Vanessa Blobel
    Year: 2021
    Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
    Duration: 2021 – 2024
  • Regional Systems of Entrepreneurship – an explorative Analysis of the “Region Hannover“
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Johannes von Bloh
    Year: 2019
    Funding: The Lower Saxon Ministry of Science and Culture
    Duration: 2016 - 2019
  • DiasporaLink - Evaluation and facilitation of transnational diaspora entrepreneurship (TDE) as a driver of development and wealth creation in countries of origin and residence
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Johannes von Bloh
    Year: 2019
    Funding: European Commission (Horizon 2020) as part of RISE (Research and Innovation Staff Exchange) in the Marie Sklodovska-Curie Actions.
    Duration: 2015 - 2019
  • Creative Lower Saxony: regional distribution, spatial mobility, start-up potentials and economic relevance of creative people
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dipl.-Geogr. Christoph Alfken, Dipl.-Geogr. Daniel Voßen
    Year: 2015
    Funding: The Lower Saxon Ministry of Science and Culture
    Duration: 2011 – 2015
  • University spin-offs in Lower Saxony and their regional economic impact: empirical evidence from Hanover and Göttingen
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dipl.-Geogr. Nora Hesse, Dipl.-Geogr. Arne Vorderwülbecke, Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Year: 2013
    Funding: the support program "Pro*Niedersachsen", Ministry of Science and Culture Niedersachsen
    Duration: 2010 - 2013
  • Firm start-ups in regional industry clusters: The example of Laser-technology in Southeast Lower Saxony
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Ingo Liefner
    Team: Nadine Pantazis
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony
    Duration: 2004 - 2006
  • Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM II) – On the dynamics of entrepreneurial activities in Germany: extent and causes
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Prof. Dr. Joachim Wagner (University of Lüneburg)
    Team: Ingo Lückgen (University of Cologne), Dirk Oberschachtsiek (University of Lüneburg)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) Priority programme „Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Research“.
    Duration: 2003 bis 2006
  • A Qualitative and Empirical Analysis of Spin-off Firms in Beijing, Hangzhou and Wuhan: A Contribution towards Explaining Innovation Processes in China
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schätzl, Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Dr. habil. Ingo Liefner
    Team: Henning Kroll (Universität Hannover), Claudia Müller (Universität zu Köln)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Volkswagen Foundation (Volkswagenstiftung)
    Duration: 2003 - 2006
  • The Role of Remigrants for Innovations – an Empirical Analysis for Shanghai
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Claudia Müller (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Volkswagen Foundation (Volkswagenstiftung)
    Duration: 2003 - 2006
  • Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM I) – On the relevance of entrepreneurship for regional economic growth – the example of Germany
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Prof. Dr. Joachim Wagner (University of Lüneburg)
    Team: Heiko Bergmann, Dr. Christine Tamásy (University of Cologne), Andrea Japsen (University of Lüneburg)
    Year: 2002
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) Priority programme „Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Research“.
    Duration: 2000 - 2002
  • Start-ups from Universities in Cologne
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Prof. Dr. Uschi Backes-Gellner (University of Cologne)
    Team: Güldem Demirer, Claus Otten, Petra Moog (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2000
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) - Priority programme „Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Research“, German Equalisation Bank, City of Cologne, Cologne Savings Bank
    Duration: 1998 - 2000
  • Evaluation of technology centres and business incubators in Germany
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dr. Heiko Berendt, Dr. Heike Seeger, Dr. Christine Tamásy
    Year: 1994
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) - Priority programme “technological change and regional development in Europe“, State Government of Lower Saxony
    Duration: 1993 - 1994
  • Technology centres and business incubators as a tool of local economic development policies
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Year: 1987
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)
    Duration: 1985 - 1987

Applied research

  • Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) - Country report Germany
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Niels Wendt, Julia Schauer, Prof. Dr. Florian Täube, Dr. Matthias Wallisch, Armin Baharian, Dr. Natalia Gorynia-Pfeffer
    Year: 2020
    Funding: (2017-2023) RKW Kompetenzzentrum, Eschborn
    Duration: 1999 ff
  • Real-time evaluation of start-up and acquisition initiatives “Plug & Work” and “Zukunftsfabrik Produktionstechnik“ for the hannoverimpuls GmbH
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schätzl
    Team: Dr. Matthias Kiese
    Year: 2007
    Funding: hannoverimpuls GmbH
    Duration: 2005 - 2007
  • About Entrepreneurial Activities in German Regions
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Christian Hundt
    Year: 2007
    Funding: Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft (INSM), Cologne
    Duration: 2007
  • Scientific Evaluation of the programme „Junge Innovatoren“ (young innovators)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Christian Hundt, Dennis Stockinger
    Year: 2007
    Funding: Ministry of Science, Research and Art Federal State of Baden-Württemberg
    Duration: 2007 - 2010
  • Scientific Evaluation of the “Programm zur finanziellen Absicherung von Unternehmensgründungen aus Hochschulen” (PFAU) of the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology Federals State of Northrhine-Westphalia (Evaluation 2006)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Florian Wohlfart (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology Federals State of Northrhine-Westphalia
    Duration: 2005 - 2006
  • Scientific Evaluation of the programme „Junge Innovatoren“ (young innovators)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dr. Christine Tamásy, Claudia Müller (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2004
    Funding: Ministry of Science, Research and Art Federal State of Baden-Württemberg
    Duration: 1998 - 2004

Completed research projects

Basic research

  • Business Plan-Competitions: Effects on Award Winners and Entrepreneurial Eco-Systems in Lower Saxony.
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Lennard Stolz
    Year: 2022
    Funding: Förderprogramm Pro*Niedersachsen des Niedersächsischen Ministeriums für Wissenschaft und Kultur
    Duration: 2019 - 2022
  • Entrepreneurship in rural areas: scope, determinants and regional economic effects (EntreLR)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Lennard Stolz; Niels Wendt
    Year: 2021
    Funding: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
    Duration: 2021 - 2024
  • ReDiCOV - Regional economic disparities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak: the role of digitalization and working-from-home
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Louis Knüpling, Vanessa Blobel
    Year: 2021
    Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
    Duration: 2021 – 2024
  • Regional Systems of Entrepreneurship – an explorative Analysis of the “Region Hannover“
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Johannes von Bloh
    Year: 2019
    Funding: The Lower Saxon Ministry of Science and Culture
    Duration: 2016 - 2019
  • DiasporaLink - Evaluation and facilitation of transnational diaspora entrepreneurship (TDE) as a driver of development and wealth creation in countries of origin and residence
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Johannes von Bloh
    Year: 2019
    Funding: European Commission (Horizon 2020) as part of RISE (Research and Innovation Staff Exchange) in the Marie Sklodovska-Curie Actions.
    Duration: 2015 - 2019
  • Creative Lower Saxony: regional distribution, spatial mobility, start-up potentials and economic relevance of creative people
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dipl.-Geogr. Christoph Alfken, Dipl.-Geogr. Daniel Voßen
    Year: 2015
    Funding: The Lower Saxon Ministry of Science and Culture
    Duration: 2011 – 2015
  • University spin-offs in Lower Saxony and their regional economic impact: empirical evidence from Hanover and Göttingen
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dipl.-Geogr. Nora Hesse, Dipl.-Geogr. Arne Vorderwülbecke, Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Year: 2013
    Funding: the support program "Pro*Niedersachsen", Ministry of Science and Culture Niedersachsen
    Duration: 2010 - 2013
  • Firm start-ups in regional industry clusters: The example of Laser-technology in Southeast Lower Saxony
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Ingo Liefner
    Team: Nadine Pantazis
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony
    Duration: 2004 - 2006
  • Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM II) – On the dynamics of entrepreneurial activities in Germany: extent and causes
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Prof. Dr. Joachim Wagner (University of Lüneburg)
    Team: Ingo Lückgen (University of Cologne), Dirk Oberschachtsiek (University of Lüneburg)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) Priority programme „Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Research“.
    Duration: 2003 bis 2006
  • A Qualitative and Empirical Analysis of Spin-off Firms in Beijing, Hangzhou and Wuhan: A Contribution towards Explaining Innovation Processes in China
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schätzl, Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Dr. habil. Ingo Liefner
    Team: Henning Kroll (Universität Hannover), Claudia Müller (Universität zu Köln)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Volkswagen Foundation (Volkswagenstiftung)
    Duration: 2003 - 2006
  • The Role of Remigrants for Innovations – an Empirical Analysis for Shanghai
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Claudia Müller (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Volkswagen Foundation (Volkswagenstiftung)
    Duration: 2003 - 2006
  • Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM I) – On the relevance of entrepreneurship for regional economic growth – the example of Germany
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Prof. Dr. Joachim Wagner (University of Lüneburg)
    Team: Heiko Bergmann, Dr. Christine Tamásy (University of Cologne), Andrea Japsen (University of Lüneburg)
    Year: 2002
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) Priority programme „Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Research“.
    Duration: 2000 - 2002
  • Start-ups from Universities in Cologne
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Prof. Dr. Uschi Backes-Gellner (University of Cologne)
    Team: Güldem Demirer, Claus Otten, Petra Moog (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2000
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) - Priority programme „Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Research“, German Equalisation Bank, City of Cologne, Cologne Savings Bank
    Duration: 1998 - 2000
  • Evaluation of technology centres and business incubators in Germany
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dr. Heiko Berendt, Dr. Heike Seeger, Dr. Christine Tamásy
    Year: 1994
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) - Priority programme “technological change and regional development in Europe“, State Government of Lower Saxony
    Duration: 1993 - 1994
  • Technology centres and business incubators as a tool of local economic development policies
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Year: 1987
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)
    Duration: 1985 - 1987

Applied research

  • Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) - Country report Germany
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg, Niels Wendt, Julia Schauer, Prof. Dr. Florian Täube, Dr. Matthias Wallisch, Armin Baharian, Dr. Natalia Gorynia-Pfeffer
    Year: 2020
    Funding: (2017-2023) RKW Kompetenzzentrum, Eschborn
    Duration: 1999 ff
  • Real-time evaluation of start-up and acquisition initiatives “Plug & Work” and “Zukunftsfabrik Produktionstechnik“ for the hannoverimpuls GmbH
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schätzl
    Team: Dr. Matthias Kiese
    Year: 2007
    Funding: hannoverimpuls GmbH
    Duration: 2005 - 2007
  • About Entrepreneurial Activities in German Regions
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Christian Hundt
    Year: 2007
    Funding: Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft (INSM), Cologne
    Duration: 2007
  • Scientific Evaluation of the programme „Junge Innovatoren“ (young innovators)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Christian Hundt, Dennis Stockinger
    Year: 2007
    Funding: Ministry of Science, Research and Art Federal State of Baden-Württemberg
    Duration: 2007 - 2010
  • Scientific Evaluation of the “Programm zur finanziellen Absicherung von Unternehmensgründungen aus Hochschulen” (PFAU) of the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology Federals State of Northrhine-Westphalia (Evaluation 2006)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Florian Wohlfart (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2006
    Funding: Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology Federals State of Northrhine-Westphalia
    Duration: 2005 - 2006
  • Scientific Evaluation of the programme „Junge Innovatoren“ (young innovators)
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Rolf Sternberg
    Team: Dr. Christine Tamásy, Claudia Müller (University of Cologne)
    Year: 2004
    Funding: Ministry of Science, Research and Art Federal State of Baden-Württemberg
    Duration: 1998 - 2004