As an anchor partner of the state’s “Gründermotor” (Entrepreneur Engine) initiative, the University of Stuttgart invites you to the first INИO FESTIVAL BW, held at 1.30 pm on 15 July. On this day, the start-up ecosystem of Baden-Württemberg is coming together to network, exchange ideas and be entertained, true to the motto “Innovation starts with you”.
On the agenda are inspiring keynotes, an exciting expert talk on the topic of “How disruptive innovations are created”, moderated spotlight sessions on selected topics, presentations on selected start-ups and opportunities to exchange ideas in the form of open tables, as well as a thrilling early night show followed by a beer tasting and live music. The speakers include state science minister Theresia Bauer, CureVac founder Ingmar Hoerr and Barbara Diel from the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation. Participation is open to all – not just as a spectator but as an active part of the program, at the heart of the action. You can register on the official event page, where you can also find a detailed agenda and all other information which is updated on an ongoing basis.
The University of Stuttgart as an anchor partner
Up until the end of 2022, the state of Baden-Württemberg is investing EUR 1.6 million in setting up an inter-university start-up platform as part of the state’s Gründermotor initiative. Acting on behalf of the state’s universities and institutions which form the driving force behind this platform is the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Science at the University of Stuttgart, which has accompanied the Gründermotor initiative from the beginning under the leadership of Prof. Alexander Brem: "The potential for start-ups at the University of Stuttgart as well as at all the other research and science centers in Baden-Württemberg is huge. With the Gründermotor, we are harnessing all the necessary forces and building a decentral platform together with our partners in the state to leverage synergies and bring the issue of startups to a new level."
About Gründermotor
A university platform for some of the most important startups in Europe is being established as part of the Gründermotor initiative, which is funded by the Ministry of Science, Art and Culture and has been enshrined in the coalition agreement since this year. Launched in 2018 by the state government, Vector Informatik, the University of Stuttgart as well as the company building organization Pioniergeist, and with an inner circle that includes FESTO, STIHL as well as the Stuttgart Media University, the Gründermotor initiative has made a name for itself at national level because of its masterclass excellence program. Twice a year, the best university startups from Baden-Württemberg are brought together with relevant customers and investors for a four-month intensive program. This is how the University of Stuttgart spin-off 21semiconductors for example was able to receive financial support from the High-Tech Gründerfonds seed fund after participating in the program.
More than 100 institutions from the fields of business and science are now partners of the initiative. These include e.g. the KIT in Karlsruhe and Aalen University. The aim is to work together to turn entrepreneurs and start-ups from Baden-Württemberg into a success. In addition to the mentioned support of innovative startups, this includes in particular the establishment of an overarching research and teaching platform.