Founders Week 2025

Organised by the Zukunft.Gründen Venture Studio and the HfWU Startup Campus – a whole week full of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.

Under the theme “Universities, Startups, and SMEs: Shaping the Future Together”, we bring together actors from all sectors: entrepreneurial students, visionary startups, researchers, and medium-sized companies. Together, we look for answers to the key challenges of our time – building and connecting resilient ecosystems that are rooted in the region and focused on the future.

The Founders Week is not a conference – it’s an interactive week: with open dialogue, concrete solutions, and an invitation to rethink the future of entrepreneurship together – right here in Nürtingen.

🚀 Be there when ideas turn into action.

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What to Expect

Whether you come from a university, work in an SME, run a startup, or are simply curious about entrepreneurship – you’ll find your place at Founders Week. Each day has its own focus, bringing fresh impulses, valuable insights, and inspiring people together.

Pick what fits you – or join us for the whole week.

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🧠 Day 1: Academia Day – Planting Ideas, Harvesting the Future

Monday, 13. October 2025

How can entrepreneurship be firmly anchored in teaching, research, and university life? What do future-proof startup centres need – and how can universities themselves become active shapers of change?

The kick-off is all about science, universities, and entrepreneurial thinking. Expect a day full of inspiration, strategic networking, and hands-on insights from the region. Together with university representatives, programme managers, and student initiatives, we’ll discuss EXIST, vibrant startup ecosystems, and new perspectives for an entrepreneurial academic culture.

In the spotlight: exchange, shared learning – and the invitation to rethink the role of universities.

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🚀 Day 2: State Accelerators Day

Tuesday, 14. October 2025

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Baden-Württemberg has strong startup programmes – but how often do we really talk to each other? The Accelerator Day brings together accelerators, platforms, and startup programmes from across the state for the first time to openly discuss challenges, learn from one another – and develop joint solutions.

Whether it’s deal-sharing, mentoring pools, or co-fundraising: we want to move beyond isolated perspectives and into a shared space of possibilities. In open sessions, practical co-creation formats, and mini-commitments, we’ll work on what drives us all: creating impact, pooling resources, and better supporting founders.

A special highlight: the launch of the new ClimAccelerator Germany, our programme for Climate and AgriTech startups. We’ll give insights into what’s behind it – and invite you to help shape it.

Because supporting alone is good – but shaping together is better. 😉

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🏭 Day 3: SME Day – Driving change together

Wednesday, 15. October 2025

How do we keep pace with changing markets and create competitive advantages? What real innovation opportunities does AI offer for my business? How can I explore new business models that make us future-proof?

SME Day is all about real-world challenges and proven solutions, inspiring pathways for lean innovation, and exchange between companies of all sizes and industries.

Secure your spot and leave with concrete next steps, new business ideas, and valuable contacts to take back into your company.

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⚔️ Day 4: Double Appointment!

Thursday, 16. October 2025

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1️⃣ Startup Day: Hands-on Entrepreneurship

📍 Gründerhaus – Zukunft.Gründen Venture Studio

A day for everyone who lives and breathes startups – from the first try to the tenth. Startup Day brings together the entire founder scene: first-time founders, experienced teams, industry partners, talent, and the simply curious.
A full day of networking, knowledge exchange, and bridge-building – between vision & execution, ideas & capital, people & opportunities.
From Finance Deep Dives to the Fail Forward Panel to the Matching Wall – it’s all about genuine, peer-level exchange.

Highlight: The launch of the AgriTech ClimAccelerator Germany with a time travel to 2035 and visionary pitches.

In the Future Lab, it’s hands-on: test prototypes, experience innovation, and find connection points – as a founder, partner, or supporter.
To wrap up: a founder’s barbecue, conversations, and community vibes.

A day that unites diversity – and shows how startups are stronger together.

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2️⃣ Future Day: Challenge the Future

📍 Future.Box – HfWU Startup Campus

Our signature event is back! Students present bold, creative, and solution-oriented ideas for a better world. Winners not only take home prizes, but may also take their first step towards founding a startup.
Future Day brings together students, startups, investors, and doers – with a clear goal: to challenge the future.

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✨ Day 5: Young Founders  Day

Friday, 17. October 2025

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Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to start after university. It can happen earlier, later – or much later. What matters is the spirit you bring to it.
On Friday, we create space for exactly that spirit – for young people in age or at heart: whether you’re a pupil, a student, or an early-stage founder later in life – you’re invited to experiment, connect, and grow.
Together with the Young Founders Network and other partners, we’re launching our ZuG Sprint: 4 teams, 4 ideas, 4 stations – an intensive startup journey with the unique ZuG vibe.

From ideation to business & future proofing to pitch training – all in one day.

A motivating day for anyone curious, ready to explore entrepreneurship, or simply looking to wrap up the week with high-intensity creativity and brainstorming.