Founders Week 2025

Founders Week 2025 at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg offers a platform for anyone who wants to turn innovative ideas into reality. The activities are in line with our EU GREEN Work Package 4, which aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.  From 17th to 21th November, events such as daily consultation hours and exciting competition pitches in the Start-up Lounge will provide an opportunity to engage intensively with start-up topics. Participants can gain valuable insights, build networks and be inspired by the experiences of successful founders. Founders Week helps turn innovative ideas into sustainable business models that shape the future of European entrepreneurship.

The contact person for Start-up Week 2025 is Dr. Gerald Böhm.

Consultation hours for founders – Your idea. Our expertise.

‍Do you have an idea and want to start a start-up, but don't know where to begin? During our consultation hours, you will have space to discuss your vision, receive honest feedback and gain inspiration for the next steps. Whether it's technology, sustainability, design or AI, we'll help you develop your idea into a viable concept. At the same time, we'll tell you about funding opportunities and provide you with individual support on your start-up journey. This isn't a lecture, but a personal dialogue on equal terms for anyone who dreams of starting a business or is already in the process of doing so. With or without an idea, just drop by. Your first step towards founding a company starts here. (daily from 17 November to 20 November 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., advisor's desk in the Welcome Service Centre)

Startup Lounge: Competition Pitch – Clear the stage for your ideas!

Experience how OVGU start-up teams present their ideas live in short, creative elevator pitches. You sit on the jury, award points and give direct feedback. Discuss openly and constructively about impact, comprehensibility and potential so that ideas and founders can grow. Think along, cheer them on, help make decisions – and feel the entrepreneurial spirit while networking. Let the pitches begin! (17 November 2025, 3:30–5:00 p.m., Room 021 in the Welcome Service Centre)

Workshop I: EXIST Women – Manager or self-employed.

Building a career – but how?

In this workshop, you will explore two paths: leadership or self-employment. A female founder will share her journey from idea to success. In the World Café, you will discuss skills, strengths and personal goals. Open to students and doctoral candidates who want to actively shape their future, even without a concrete idea. Find out which career path suits you and be inspired by real role models. (18 November 2025, 10:00-11:30, Room 021 in the Welcome Service Centre)

Workshop II: Why doing is often easier than thinking and how to get started.

Start-up-Lounge: Agile start-ups in disruptive times.‍

What to do when business models falter overnight? Prof. Dr. Anke Trommershausen shows how platforms, algorithms and digital logic have changed the media world and what start-ups can learn from this. The focus is on agile thinking, quick action and bold decisions. Discuss which models will survive, how innovation succeeds and why agility is crucial. (20 November 2025, 3:30–5:00 p.m., Room 021 in the Welcome Service Centre)

Workshop III: The truth about target group research in start-ups.

Fewer clichés, more success!

Many start-ups fail because they develop products for customers who do not exist. This workshop focuses on target group reality rather than marketing clichés. You will learn how to test assumptions, understand real users and clearly identify market potential. For students with ideas or an interest in starting a business – honest, practical, focused on the heart of every start-up: the target group. (21 November 2025, 10:00-12:00, Room 021 in the Welcome Service Centre)