Rock your Thesis has received the Go-to-Market Voucher from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia – an important grant from EFRE/JTF funds supporting the development of the Thesis-Success-Hub App. Find out what the voucher entails and what it means for students.
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1. What is the NRW Go-to-Market Voucher?
The Go-to-Market Voucher is a funding programme by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia that supports innovative start-ups in the development and market launch of new products and services The programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF) within the ERDF/JTF Programme NRW 2021-2027. Rock your Thesis received the funding decision on 15 March 2025. The grant covers the following areas:
- 1 Creation of high-quality learning and organisational resources for students.
- 2 Licences for AI-based video and image editing tools (e.g. HeyGen and Synthesia).
- 3 UX/UI conception and software development of the app.
With this funding, we are able to develop and launch the first version of the Thesis-Success-Hub App for iOS devices on schedule.
Our excellent coaches at a glance:
Dr. Daniel Proba
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
Lecturer
Carolin Häffner
University of Cologne
PhD candidate
Dr. Julius Berges
RWTH Aachen University
In practice
Dr. Arne Heimendahl
University of Cologne
In practice
Jonas Ryberg
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
PhD candidate
Dr. Laura Benyei
LMU Munich
PhD candidate
Dr. Maximilian Knapp
University of Mannheim
In practice
Dr. Katja Knops
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
In practice
Dr. Maximilian Poth
LSE London
In practice
Dr. Martin Schumacher
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
In practice
Dr. Jenny Zimmermann
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Professor
Bjarne Schwarz
Technical University of Munich
PhD candidate
Tiziana Schopper
LMU Munich
PhD candidate
Dr. Florian Schaefer
RWTH Aachen
In practice
Dr. Linda Bandelow
Technical University of Munich
Postdoctoral Researcher
Roger Heines
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
In practice
Dr. Arne Grüttner
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
Lecturer
Jan Spiekermann
University of Münster
In practice
Dr. Maximilian Schacker
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
Lecturer
Dr. Alexander Stuckert
Technical University of Darmstadt
In practice
Dr. Maximilian Richter
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
In practice
Joscha Krug
University of Mannheim
PhD candidate
Eric Klebeck
University of Mannheim
PhD candidate
Sina Plietzsch
HHL Leipzig
PhD candidate
Timo Brunner
HHL Leipzig
PhD candidate
Francie Lange
HHL Leipzig
PhD candidate
Felix Mosner
University of Cologne
PhD candidate
Pia Seimetz
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
PhD candidate
Hanna Brosch
Technical University of Munich
PhD candidate
Richard Turinsky
University of Strathclyde
PhD candidate
Dr. Sven Kannler
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
In practice
Dr. Michael Greineder
Harvard University
In practice
Saskia Spang
Maastricht University
PhD candidate
Rafael Bischof
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
PhD candidate
Said Kdimati
Rostock University Medical Center
PhD candidate
Tim Fischer
Heidelberg University
PhD candidate
Heinrich Habe
University of Münster
PhD candidate
Björn Klages
Technical University of Munich
PhD candidate
Dr. Sebastian Reiners
University of Münster
Lecturer
Niklas Roulands
University of Bielefeld
In practice
Christian Geitmann
University of Bonn
PhD candidate
Dr. Birte Manke
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
In practice
Dr. Michael Koddebusch
Kingston University London
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Birgit Fordinal
University of Vienna
Lecturer
Dr. Rebecca Heigl
Goethe University Frankfurt
In practice
Dr. Nils Gimpl
Frankfurt School
In practice
Mareike Hockmann
University of Siegen
PhD candidate
Dr. Laura Lohoff
LMU Munich
Lecturer
Dr. Paul Kruse
University of Münster
In practice
Dr. Saira Moinuddin-Huber
ESB Reutlingen
In practice
Libby Chun
Erasmus University Rotterdam
PhD candidate
Timo Himmelsbach
University of Mannheim
PhD candidate
Dr. Lena-Marie Pätzmann
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
In practice
Nicola Schneider
University of Heidelberg
PhD candidate
Thilo Kraft
Goethe University Frankfurt
PhD candidate
Stella Wienhold
University of Konstanz
PhD candidate
Julia Ditzer
TU Dresden
PhD candidate
Dr. Thomas Hipp
University of Mannheim
In practice
Thimo Schulz
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
PhD candidate
Luca Dörr
HHL Leipzig
PhD candidate
Hannah Weins
University of Cologne
PhD candidate
Dr. Aleksandar Blečić
University of Mannheim
Postdoctoral Researcher
Ina Marie Koniakowsky
Technical University of Chemnitz
PhD candidate
Dr. Malte Siegle
Technical University of Munich
In practice
Dr. Mennatallah Balbaa
LMU Munich
Postdoctoral Researcher
Monika Burckhardt
University of Mannheim
PhD candidate
Magdalena Bachmann
University of Oxford
PhD candidate
Anna Pyttlik
Technical University of Munich
PhD candidate
Nina Grigoriou
HHU Düsseldorf
PhD candidate
Philip Sander
University of Hamburg
PhD candidate
Jennifer Musial
University of Duisburg-Essen
PhD candidate
Elisabeth Schanzer
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
PhD candidate
Lea Bluma
Ruhr University Bochum
PhD candidate
Andreas Seiferth
University of Münster
PhD candidate
Dr. Johann Primozic
Technical University of Darmstadt
In practice
Sophia Bock
University of Hamburg
PhD candidate
Sabrina Reith
Technical University of Munich
PhD candidate
Luca Güttner
University of Münster
PhD candidate
Annabelle Röpcke
University of Hamburg
PhD candidate
Julia Werneth
University of Bundeswehr
PhD candidate
Dr. Max Sauer
University of Bamberg
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Felix Walther
TU Dresden
Postdoctoral Researcher
Joanna Hunsmann
LMU Munich
PhD candidate
Sophie-Marie Stasch
University of Bundeswehr
PhD candidate
Amelie Marie Fischer
University of St.Gallen (HSG)
PhD candidate
You can find a detailed presentation of our coaches and their qualifications here.
2. Why did Rock your Thesis receive the Go-to-Market Voucher?
Rock your Thesis addresses a central problem in higher education: the inadequate supervision situation at universities and the resulting overwhelm of students when writing academic papers. Existing alternatives fall into two inadequate categories:
Paid and often illegal solutions such as ghostwriting, which are financially inaccessible and legally prohibited.
AI applications based on unreliable data that often do not meet scientific standards or university regulations.
With the Thesis-Success-Hub App, we offer a scalable, affordable and trustworthy solution:
- 1 High-quality, reviewed learning and organisational resources in video, image and text format.
- 2 Smart features to support the writing process – e.g. milestone planner and note-taking function.
- 3 Content vetted by over 75 academic coaches through a rigorous peer-review process.
- 4 100% regulation-compliant methodological and procedural support.
- 5 Location- and time-independent access without relying on external supervision.
This combination of quality, scalability and accessibility convinced the state of NRW to award Rock your Thesis the Go-to-Market Voucher.
3. Who benefits from the NRW funding?
The funding primarily benefits students of all disciplines across the DACH region who need support writing academic papers. Rock your Thesis was founded in October 2023, has since completed over 3,000 coaching hours and supported over 300 students. The Thesis-Success-Hub App will scale this reach to up to 154,000 active users.
The funding allows us to significantly accelerate app development and raise it to a new level of quality. In particular, the following groups will benefit:
- 1 Bachelor's students facing challenges with academic writing.
- 2 Master's students dealing with complex research questions and demanding methods.
- 3 Doctoral candidates who need structured support throughout all phases of their dissertation.
"The Go-to-Market Voucher from the state of NRW sends a strong signal: our vision of making academic writing accessible to everyone is supported by one of Europe's most important economic hubs."
4. What does the Thesis-Success-Hub App include?
The Thesis-Success-Hub App will provide a central platform for interactive learning and organisational resources complemented by intelligent features that guide students through the entire writing process.
The app draws inspiration from successful models like Simpleclub and combines proven learning methods with modern technology. The app's key features and content include:
- High-quality learning videos and materials on academic writing, reviewed by academic coaches.
- Smart milestone planner for structured planning and execution of the thesis.
- Integrated note-taking function for an organised and efficient workflow.
- Personal thesis dashboard for an overview of all progress and upcoming tasks.
- Community features for exchange and mutual support among students.
- AI-powered content in video, image and text format – available in multiple languages.
- Available for iOS and Android devices.
- Content from over 75 highly qualified academic coaches from diverse disciplines.
- 100% regulation-compliant methodological support for academic writing.
5. Timeline and implementation of the Thesis-Success-Hub App
In collaboration with the state of NRW and European funding, we are developing the Thesis-Success-Hub App following agile principles (Scrum methodology), in constant exchange with our users. The project is structured into five key phases. These are precisely aligned with our goals and user requirements to ensure an optimal app experience.
- 1 Learning and organisational resource creation: Our academic coaches design and create content through a rigorous peer-review process.
- 2 UX/UI conception: Dr. Arne Grüttner (CPTO) leads the internal UX/UI design – supplemented by external expertise for optimisation.
- 3 Software development: An experienced software developer implements the app in close coordination with our CPTO.
- 4 Pilot marketing: Marketing initiatives are launched during development to gather early feedback from pilot users.
- 5 Go-to-Market: Launch of the first iOS version by the end of Q1 2026, supported by targeted campaigns via Google Ads, YouTube Ads and Meta Ads.
Learn more about our coaching offer and included services on our website.
6. Funding notice and financial overview
The Go-to-Market Voucher covers a total grant of €50,000. Of this, €40,000 (80%) is allocated to product development – including content production, licences, UX/UI design and software development – and €10,000 (20%) to go-to-market activities such as performance marketing coaching and online advertising.
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF) within the ERDF/JTF Programme NRW 2021-2027. The voucher is provided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In accordance with the funding guidelines and ANBest-EU, Rock your Thesis is obliged to actively reference the financial support from the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in all its communications.
Our coaching packages in a nutshell:
1-hour-package.
One-hour session to address specific questions or challenges of your thesis.
€99,99/hour
- Online 1-on-1 coaching
- Precise writing feedback
Save 5%
5-hours-package.
Comprehensive support on key aspects of your thesis to help strengthen your work.
€94,99/hour
- Online 1-on-1 coaching
- Precise writing feedback
- WhatsApp-Support
- Flexible payment options*
Save 15%
10-hours-package.
Bestseller
Thorough guidance to provide extensive coaching, covering multiple facets of your thesis.
€84,99/hour
- Online 1-on-1 coaching
- Precise writing feedback
- WhatsApp-Support
- Individualized action plan
- -5% Proofreading
- Flexible payment options*
Save 25%
20-hours-package.
End-to-end coaching for a polished, well-researched, and submission-ready thesis.
€74,99/hour
- Online 1-on-1 coaching
- Precise writing feedback
- WhatsApp-Support
- Individualized action plan
- Free plagiarism scan
- -10% Proofreading
- Flexible payment options*
Frequently asked questions explained for you
Do you need help?
Get in touch with us. Together we will always find the right support for your bachelor thesis. We will be happy to advise you free of charge.