Startup Academy

Start-up Academy Events

The Start-up Academy at the University of Freiburg coordinates all teaching and continuing education events on the subject of entrepreneurship at the University of Freiburg. The Start-up Academy promotes entrepreneurial thinking, knowledge, and action and is offered by the Start-up Office of the University of Freiburg in cooperation with the Center for Key Qualifications (ZfS).

To help you qualify for self-employment, we offer various programs on start-up topics that are open to everyone. There are also programs aimed exclusively at students: Work on your start-up idea and earn ECTS credits for your studies.

The exact event times and individual dates can be found below in our event calendar. The dates for each series can be found in the detailed event information.

Ongoing formats

Winter semester

Summer semester

Ongoing formats

Individual practice module

Business Development: From Idea to Start-up
Target group:
Those interested in founding a company, students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

Individual practical module Business Development

Self-employment is becoming an increasingly popular career option after graduation. The practical module gives you the opportunity to start building your own business during your studies using customizable building blocks—with flexible timing and content.

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Young Entrepreneurs in Science

2-3 times per semester
Target group:
young researchers (graduates and post-docs), english language

Young Entrepreneurs in Science

Skillsets and key qualifications

Together with the Falling Walls Foundation and other universities in the region, we offer workshops (online and face-to-face) to introduce young researchers to entrepreneurial thinking. Our key question to you is: How much startup is in your PhD?

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Online consultation hours on support offered by the Start-up Office

Do you have initial questions about starting a business?
Target group:
Those interested in founding a company (German/English)

Online consultation hours on support offered by the Start-up Office

Du hast erste Fragen rund ums Gründen? Komm einfach in unsere Online-Sprechstunde und stelle deine ganz persönlichen Fragen.

Do you have initial questions about starting a business? Join our online office hour and ask your personal questions.

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Crash course in starting a business

monthly
Target group:
people interested in starting a business

Crash course in starting a business

The crash course gives you an initial insight into all the important aspects you need to consider when starting a business: from developing your business idea to financing, sales, marketing, and possible legal forms. Afterwards, you will know how to get your business project off the ground.

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Certificate in Business Development

Teaching theoretical knowledge & practical elements
Target group:
Those interested in founding a company, students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

Certificate in Business Development

This certificate covers all relevant topics for developing a business idea and starting a company under the umbrella term “business development”: from the initial idea and product to the business model and company concept.

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Crash course in fundraising and investor search

every six months
Target group:
people interested in starting a business

Crash course in fundraising and investor search

Many founders need capital to finance the growth of their start-up. What types of investors are there? Are business angels better than venture capital funds? How do I make my company ready for investors? When is the right time to start looking for investors? Should I look for equity or debt capital?

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Bridge the gap - Focus on female founders

monthly
Target group:
People interested in starting a business, students

Bridge the gap - Focus on female founders

In six inspiring and practical workshops and lectures, women* who are interested in starting their own business, are self-employed or in leadership positions – and anyone who would like to be – can exchange ideas, gain deep insights, valuable inspiration and concrete support for their path to self-employment or starting their own business.

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Winter semester

Startup Talk (formerly Startup Roundtable)

2-3 times per semester (winter)
Target group:
People interested in starting a business, startups

Startup Talk (formerly Startup Roundtable)

Our moderator will interview an expert and a founder about tips, personal experiences, and lessons learned on a specific topic and lead an exciting discussion.
At the same time, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, benefit from the questions of others, and establish contacts with people interested in starting a business.

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Legal and business management issues

Winter semester
Target group:
exclusively Students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

Entrepreneurship – legal and business management issues

A good business idea can sometimes fail due to a lack of business management skills and basic legal knowledge. Anyone who wants to successfully start their own business therefore needs not only a “brilliant” idea, but also basic knowledge about setting up a company.

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The business plan – methodological principles

Winter semester
Target group:
exclusively Students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

The business plan – methodological foundations for entrepreneurial independence and for realizing your own ideas

Roadmap to self-employment and realizing your own ideas. Participants will acquire the basic knowledge necessary to develop a business plan for their own business idea. They will learn which aspects are relevant for entrepreneurial self-employment...

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SPARK International Startup Competition

Winter semester
Target group:
exclusively Students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

SPARK: International Startup Competition for Impact & Sustainable Development Goals

The course holds immense relevance for students, as it empowers them to develop startup ideas with a positive impact on addressing the pressing global challenges outlined in the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Participating in this course offers a unique opportunity for students to work in interdisciplinary teams...

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Clean Energy Bootcamp

Start of application: December
Target group:
Master students or (post-)docs studying at the participating universities, english language

Clean Energy Bootcamp in Europe and Africa

The Clean Energy Bootcamp brings together (post-)docs and master’s students from four universities in Uganda, Kenya and Germany to collaborate in workshops to further develop their CleanTech innovations.
The aim is not a one-sided transfer of knowledge, but an equal exchange of ideas and solutions for the respective region.

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Summer semester

Startup BBQ

2-3 times per semester (summer)
Target group:
young researchers (graduates and post-docs), english languages

Startup BBQ

Are you ready for the Start-Up BBQ? Join us, meet awesome founders, connect & network and enjoy bbq and a cool drink with us!
Meet awesome startups of the University of Freiburg, exchange ideas with like-minded people, network and learn from experienced founders - all while enjoying a BBQ and a cool drink at a special place!

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Personnel basics for self-employment

Summer semester
Target group:
exclusively Students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

Personnel basics for the career option of self-employment

As an alternative to employment, more and more students are considering self-employment as a career option. In this event, find out whether your personal characteristics match those of an entrepreneurial personality...

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Starting a business – but doing it right! Entrepreneurship lecture series

Summer semester
Target group:
Those interested in founding a company, students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

Starting a business – but doing it right! Entrepreneurship lecture series

Do you have an exciting business idea? This lecture takes a practical approach to teaching the various aspects of starting your own business, from the initial idea to market launch. Students will gain the specialist knowledge they need to develop the best approach and implement their ideas.

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Pfiffikus Startup Idea Award

Application deadline: July 16, 2024
Target group:
Students or doctoral candidates at the University of Freiburg

The “Pfiffikus” Start-up Idea Award

Are you studying or doing a PhD at the University of Freiburg? Has a problem from everyday life given you a business idea, or are you unable to let go of the results of your bachelor's thesis, master's thesis, or PhD, and are you convinced that you can do more with them? Then you've come to the right place!

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KTUR Summer School on Entrepreneurship

Start in August
Target group:
Students at all levels in the Upper Rhine region, international students, ZfS BOK (ECTS), english language

KTUR Summer School on Entrepreneurship

The Summer School provides first-hand insights into the dynamic world of entrepreneurs. Over the course of a week, the big questions of any business are examined from a practical perspective: What is my business model? How do I make money? Where does the funding come from? How can I attract enough customers? Am I suitable as an entrepreneur?

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Startup Lab Intrapreneurship

Summer semester
Target group:
exclusively Students, ZfS BOK (ECTS)

Startup Lab Intrapreneurship – sustainable solutions for business challenges

Creative innovation methods and business development ideas are of central importance in times of transformation. Entrepreneurial thinking and agile start-up practices are crucial for developing sustainable solutions and realizing successful start-ups.

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