TU_Dortmund
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TU Start-up Weekend 17. - 19. April 2026

TU Start-up
Weekend
17. - 19. April 2026

Discover the power of interdisciplinary collaboration!

Join TU Members from diverse departments, collaborate, and develop innovative solutions. Experience hands-on learning with Design Thinking, showcase your journey to experts and get valuable feedback.

Reserved Seats 100%

Please note: the event is fully booked. People on the waiting list will be given a spot as soon as a participant cancels.

Join the waitlist
Registration will start soon

Everyone is welcome at the TU Start-up Weekend!

The TU Start-up Weekend is a three-day event of the 17 faculties of TU Dortmund University, where teams focus on working together on innovative ideas.

Whether you have technological expertise, social or creative skills or you are familiar with economic contexts: We are looking forward to your participation! 

WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE

  • Experience first-hand what it means to be part of a start-up
  • Get advice from experienced coaches and mentors
  • Connect with other creative and innovative people and expand your network
  • You have the chance to present your ideas in front of an experienced jury. The best ideas will be awarded.
  • Free of charge for students and employees of TU Dortmund University

PROGRAM

On Day 1, it‘s all about your ideas! Pitch your Challenge in just 60 seconds, engage in Q&A, and join your teams to kickstart the journey of understanding complex problems and developing innovative solutions.

Schedule

16:00 Check-In
16:30 Warm Welcome
17:00 Creating the Teams
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Let’s Get Started
22:00 Check-out

We are providing the perfect framework to bring your ideas to life. Build your own prototypes and receive expert guidance from our coaches as you embark on an exciting journey of innovation.

Schedule

9:00 Doors Open
11:00 Speed-Vali-Dating Round 1
13:00 Lunch
17:00 Speed-Vali-Dating Round 2
22:00 Latest Check-out

Prepare for the final presentations! Receive valuable feedback from experienced innovators before your final pitches. Impress a high-caliber jury and the audience with your final projects and have lots of fun.

Schedule

9:00 Doors Open
10:00 Pitch Prep
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Pitch Contest
16:00 Award Ceremony
17:00 Too Soon To Say Goodbye

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Wilhelm-Dilthey-Straße 2a

LOCATION

The three-day event will take place at the CET Headquarter (Wilhelm-Dilthey-Straße 2a, 44227 Dortmund, directions here). Our facility is equipped with the latest machines and a wide range of work equipment.

Your Jury of Experts

Prof. Christina Elmer

Professor for Digital Journalism and Data Journalism @ TU Dortmund University, Institute for Journalism

Digital media, innovation processes, product development, transformation

JProf. Dr. Daniela Giménez Jiménez

Junior Professor of Entrepreneurship @ TU Dortmund University

Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Sustainability

Fabian Göddert

Start-up Founder @ Acuire

Financial modeling, product management

Meet Your Coaches

Julius de Groot

PhD Candidate, Research Assistant @TU Dortmund University, Chair for Entrepreneurship and Digitalisation

Platform-based business models, digital prototyping, design thinking

Svenja Erbrich

HR Development Consultant @Ardex GmbH

Systemic coaching, HR development expert

Kim Pham

IT Projectmanager @Stadt Hamm

Experience in financial and public sector, start-up consultant, agile methodologies, design thinking, OKR

Dominik Schmelter

PhD Candidate, Research Assistant @TU Dortmund University, TIE Institute - Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Design thinking, sustainable entrepreneurship

Lukas Erbrich

PhD Candidate Media Economics @TU Dortmund University, Institute for Journalism

Media start-ups, platform research

Nele Kirstein

Founder & Partner @Dolmetschwerk

Language & Communications Expert, Project & Time Management, Cross-Industry Expertise, Business Management 

Jana Drechsler

Start-up Manager Corporate Development, M&A @ Opta Data Gruppe

Start-up-corporate collaboration, founding, business development, sales

Jan Wittkamp

Project Manager @ City of Dortmund, Dortmund Kreativ

Sports scientist, experience in public and privat sector from commercial rights distribution, cultural and creative industry expert

Henning Moldenhauer

Sustainability Manager @ TU Dortmund University

Project management, analytical thinking, pitching, moderator, optical spectroscopy

Rebekka Bracht

Manager Start-up Ecosystem & Corporate Partnerships @ Initiativkreis Ruhr / Gründerallianz Ruhr

Networking, entrepreneurial ecosystem, female empowerment, data start-ups

Philip Müller

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Co-Founder @ Nuwo.co

Serial entrepreneur, started multiple companies in Berlin, Hamburg and Dortmund, business economics background

Showcase your strengths

In the registration process we’ll ask you to assign yourself to one of the following expert groups. This will facilitate the interdisciplinary team finding at the beginning of the weekend.
Don’t worry: If you’re unsure which of the groups you should assign yourself to, choose the one that fits best (even if the questions don’t quite apply to you!). We’re sure you’ll be able to contribute to the team effort! EVERYONE is welcome at the TU Start-up Weekend.

Creative Expert

You have creative skills or are good at putting yourself in other people’s shoes ? You are good at interacting with people and building empathy with them? You have lots of creative ideas on how to better solve problems from a user perspective?

 

Tech Expert

You have technical or programming skills, know the latest trends and like to work on developing new solutions? You are the right person when it comes to making new technologies applicable? Are you interested in how new technologies can help solve the complex problems of our time?​

Business Expert

Are you familiar with key business figures and economic contexts? You know what is important in the development of new business models and how value is created? You have already dealt with market and competition analyses and can pass on your knowledge to others?

The REGISTRATION is Full!

Reserved Seats 100%
Join the waitlist
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Questions?

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! You can contact us via mail.

The event is organized by the Center for Entrepreneurship & Transfer (CET) at TU Dortmund University