Lotsendienst-Potsdam - Framework Agreements for the Provision of Qualification/Consulting/Coaching and the Execution of Development Centers for Start-up Founders in the Pre-Start-up Phase

The Economic Development Agency of the State Capital Potsdam (LHP) is the central point of contact for companies, investors, and start-up founders in the State Capital Potsdam. The support and advice of established companies are just as much a part of our tasks as supporting start-ups. We are committed to optimal economic framework conditions, engage in active location marketing, and network stakeholders. The strategic development of the start-up ecosystem is just as much our task as advising and supporting individuals interested in starting a business, among other things, through the Lotsendienst Potsdam. Since 2015, the State Capital Potsdam has been an established contact for start-up issues in the region with the well-known brand "Lotsendienst Potsdam". On 29.10.2025, we received the funding approval for the project for the period from 01.01.2026 to 31.10.2028 and wish to support individuals willing to start a business in the pre-start-up phase and accompany them until founding. With this tender, we are looking for external service providers to support us in the implementation of the project. The project is funded 100% as a "Regional Consulting and Qualification Project" according to the guideline of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Energy for the promotion of start-ups and company succession in the state of Brandenburg in the EU funding period 2021-2027 - "Gründen in Brandenburg (GiB)" dated 28.06.2022 by funding approval from the Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg in favor of the State Capital Potsdam. Against this background, compliance with the cooperation obligations and deadlines resulting from the funding conditions by those involved in the project within their respective areas of responsibility must be ensured. The measure is financed by funds from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the state of Brandenburg. Target group: The Lotsendienst is aimed at individuals willing to start a business who reside in the state of Brandenburg and are planning to start a commercial or freelance self-employment, particularly in the crafts, trade, and service sectors ("classic" start-ups), including taking over a business in the state of Brandenburg. The main target group is unemployed individuals willing to start a business (start-ups from unemployment) and full-time start-ups. However, it can also include individuals employed subject to social security contributions or non-benefit recipients. Individuals willing to start a business can only be advised, qualified, and supported if they are not already self-employed. The consulting and qualification projects are exclusively limited to the pre-start-up phase. People with disabilities and a migration background are also supported within the framework of the project. The following services of the project will be provided by external service providers. These are the subject of this tender: - Individual and specific qualification, consulting, and coaching services (also "QBC", "individual consulting") (Lot 1) - Development Center (DC) (Lot 2) There is no prescribed sequence of services anymore. The services can be used by participants individually or together in any order. During the initial consultation with interested parties by the project sponsor, there will be a mutual introduction of the business idea and the Lotsendienst program. Personal prerequisites for project participation will be clarified, the stage of the business idea will be assessed, and the individual consulting needs will be discussed. Furthermore, the services of the program to be used will be coordinated and determined. A fixed project schedule is not prescribed. Depending on the development stage of the business idea, participants can use individual or all services in any order. Founding: The goal is a successful, profitable, entrepreneurial, and sustainable company foundation. The scope should ideally be oriented towards full-time self-employment, with full viability being realized at least in terms of covering personal living costs through the intended business venture. Part-time start-up ventures can also be supported. The Lotsendienst is a pre-start-up support measure, therefore the formal founding may only occur after the completion of the individual consulting phase.