Berlin: Kreuzberg Acts—Entrepreneurship in the District

Abstract

The innovation of “Kreuzberg Acts—entrepreneurship in the district” results in the intertwining of two issues that are usually separated: On one hand, individual consultancy for (future) entrepreneurs and, on the other hand, a kind of concern with community development and urban planning addressing different local groups. Thereby, “Kreuzberg Acts” bridges economic and social concerns. For instance, those interested in founding a start-up are coached by local mentors on how to apply for public subsidies and how to launch an effective marketing campaign. On the other hand, the project is striving for street credibility by building bridges to the local economy. Moreover, project leaders develop strategies together with participants about how locals may benefit from the districts’ booming economic sectors such as healthcare or tourism. Respective inventions are thought of in a neighbourhood-friendly way, for example, by devising small-scale business ideas that fit the local social ecology.