StarTH Camp: ‘Making Collaboration More Enjoyable’ Strengthens Start-up Teams

On 25 June 2026, start-up teams from the Thuringian University Start-up Network StarTH at Erfurt University of Applied Sciences to spend a day focusing intensively on an often underestimated factor in the success of start-ups: teamwork. After all, alongside business model development, financing and customers, teamwork also plays a decisive role in determining the long-term success of a start-up venture.

The StarTH Camp was headed by Nele Schöfisch, a StarTH scholarship holder and founder of verbin.de – a sole trader business that originated at the University of Erfurt. As a work and organisational psychologist, she contributed not only academic expertise but also her own experiences from the start-up context. She thus provided participants with practical methods and tools they can use to consciously shape and further develop their teamwork.

The workshop focused on organisational and interpersonal agreements, constructive conflict resolution, the fair distribution of responsibility, and the conscious management of mental and emotional load. The content was supplemented by reflection methods, templates and exercises that the teams could apply directly to their own start-up situations.

Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that these insights are sustainably integrated into day-to-day start-up operations. Consequently, the StarTH Camp does not end with the workshop: a digital follow-up session will take place on 16 July 2026, during which Nele Schöfisch will provide individual support to the participating teams as they implement the approaches developed. Together, they will reflect on initial experiences, discuss challenges and develop solutions for future collaboration.

The StarTH Camp exemplifies how the Thuringian University Start-up Network supports start-up teams across universities, not only in developing their business ideas but also in strengthening their collaboration as a team. It is particularly encouraging that former founders and StarTH scholarship holders are passing on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of start-up teams. The University of Erfurt’s Founders Service is delighted to have co-funded and supported this training programme as part of the StarTH network.