Team

• Scientific-technical skills of the team members
• Business-administrative/entrepreneurial skills of the team
• Industry knowledge, founding experience, freelancing activities
• Relation of the project to the research at the university or research institution
• Team constellation (studies, PhD, etc.)
• Support network for the project (coaches, mentors etc.)
• Letter of intent (a good instrument to highlight customer interest in your product or service)

Innovation

• (technological) innovation compared to state of the art
• USPs (short-, medium- and long-term) and customer benefits
• Corresponding prior research and development at the university / research institution
• Product description is understandable
• Project- or work plan (implementation plan)
• Protection rights or strategy to ensure the USPs
• Horizontal objectives of the ESF are considered (equality, non-discrimination, sustainability)

Market

• Business model
• Competitive advantages (direct/indirect)
• Market chances / Market entry barriers
• Plausibility of financial planning