Academic Programs

From Idea to Your Own Startup: The new “Female Founders Lab” course at THA Funkenwerk offers female students from all faculties a safe, interdisciplinary space to develop their own concepts—from the initial idea to a viable business model. Using modern methods such as design thinking and generative AI, you’ll specifically strengthen your assertiveness, presentation skills, and leadership abilities. Work in teams to develop innovative solutions, network with female founders in the field, and actively shape the future.

The THA Funkenwerk seminar “From Innovation Problem to Management Decision” offers students a hands-on environment in which to work on real-world business cases as student management consultants. Complex innovation problems are broken down into structured components, analyses are synthesized into clear decision-making frameworks, and well-founded recommendations for management are developed. The results are then concisely presented in a pitch format to industry partners. This process sharpens analytical skills, management expertise, and presentation skills while actively shaping the future of these companies.

Rapid business model prototyping makes it possible to develop and validate business ideas quickly, in a structured manner, and with minimal risk. This is relevant for students because it allows them to specifically link technological innovations with market-oriented thinking and align their solutions with real-world needs, such as in digital transformation projects or when founding a startup.

In this module, business models are examined in the context of real-world conditions and based on various methodologies:

• Business Model Development
• Systematic analysis, structuring, and evaluation of business ideas, taking into account various market needs and the
  most significant business risks.
• Testing hypotheses about ideas using appropriate experimental methods to validate them in a real-world market setting and adjust business concepts based on the results.
• Iterative work using the Build-Measure-Learn cycle.
• Collaboration with companies to evaluate and test real-world business models.
• Application of project-based and experience-based learning.

The seminar comprises 4 SWS and always takes place during the summer semester outside of the regular lecture period. It is an FWP at the School of Computer Science and can be selected there via the mandatory elective catalog. Students from other schools who are interested can register for the seminar at funkenwerk@tha.de. We can review credit recognition on a case-by-case basis; participation without earning credit is always possible. 

You can find more information in the module handbook.

The exclusive Swabian Innovation Masterclass offers you the opportunity to hone your future-oriented and innovation skills, discover your entrepreneurial spirit, and collaborate with other students beyond your university. 

Travel to Kempten, Neu-Ulm, and Bergamo

Discover tomorrow’s trends, make a social impact, develop innovative (business) ideas, and network regionally and internationally.

The two-semester Swabian Innovation Masterclass is a collaborative program offered by the four Bavarian-Swabian universities: Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Augsburg. It covers four key areas: future (&) trends, social impact, business ideation, and international entrepreneurship. These topics are explored together in four seminars at the four universities as well as during a study abroad stay in Bergamo.

Start: always in the winter semester

Scope and Dates

The Swabian Innovation Masterclass spans two semesters, totaling 10 ECTS credits / 8 SWS for bachelor’s students and 12 ECTS credits / 10 SWS for master’s students.

For more details, please refer to the module description; see the link here. The FWP is offered by the School of Computer Science, but students from other schools may also take it. All that’s required is a separate registration with the Registrar’s Office using the form “Application for Registration for Courses in Another Degree Program.” 

Your Benefits

• Sharpen your innovation skills
• Interdisciplinary exchange across your university
• Collaborating on ideas for the future
• Team building and networking
• Exclusive participation in events outside your region, including at other universities
• Trip to Bergamo during the summer semester (as part of Block 4)
• Exclusive participation for only 24 participants, 6 per university
• Certificate of completion
• Mobility grant with a monthly allowance for travel expenses
• Includes shared group accommodations in hotels at all 4 locations

The two-semester master class is offered as an FWP in the Department of Computer Science. Students from other departments are also eligible to participate. All that is required is a separate exam registration.

Six students from each university may participate.

• Registration with the School of Computer Science:

Through the general elective registration process. Afterward, you’ll need to send us a short tweet (max. 280 characters) explaining why you’re so eager to participate in the masterclass and what innovation means to you.

• Registration for other faculties:

Send a short motivational tweet (max. 280 characters) to funkenwerk@tha.de by October 12 at the latest, explaining why you absolutely want to participate in the masterclass and what innovation means to you. We also need the following: your degree program, your date of birth, and a photo of yourself. 

The Schwaben Innovation Masterclass is registered as a two-semester FWP at the School of Computer Science.

Students in the School of Computer Science can apply through the regular registration process for FWPs. In addition, they must subsequently send a short motivational tweet of no more than 290 characters (explaining why you absolutely want to participate in the Masterclass and what innovation means to you) via email to funkenwerk@tha.de. We also need the following: your degree program, your date of birth, and a photo of yourself. 

Students from other faculties can apply directly by email to funkenwerk@tha.de, including the motivational tweet and additional information (see the section above). The specific credit eligibility can also be clarified at that time. 

The application deadline for participation in the Schwaben Innovation Masterclass 25/26 is October 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Successful participation in the seminar is contingent upon receiving the mobility grant, which means that your travel expenses will be reimbursed over the course of the two semesters. 

FAQ

• Do I have to travel to the other universities, or is there also an option to participate remotely?

The Schwaben Innovation Masterclass is an exclusive program for a select group of participants. The events are intentionally held in person at all four universities to promote personal interaction. This also provides a welcome change of pace and an exciting opportunity to explore other universities on-site.

• Do I have to cover my own travel expenses?

With the associated mobility grant, you’ll receive monthly financial support to cover your travel expenses (Deutschlandticket). The trip to Bergamo (travel and lodging) will be covered for you. You’ll only need to cover your own meals.

• Is there a possibility to stay overnight on site?

Yes. All universities will book accommodations for all participants during the event period. Accommodations are paid for by the project. Students from the host university are also welcome to stay overnight to help strengthen group cohesion. 

• Do I have to participate in all events, or can I attend the masterclass for just one semester? 

Participation for the entire two-semester period and in all four modules is mandatory. This is the only way to foster intensive exchange and build strong group cohesion and dynamics. 

• If you have any further questions, please contact the representative at your university. 

Who is behind the Schwaben Innovation Masterclass?

The Swabian Innovation Masterclass is a collaborative program offered by the Swabian Innovation Nexus KANU (Kempten, Neu-Ulm, Augsburg), comprising the four institutions: Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Augsburg. Through KANU, we bring together four Swabian universities with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and establish ourselves as a hub for forward-thinking startups and an indispensable source of Swabian innovative strength. As established institutions, we are shaping Swabia as a hub for business and innovation in a sustainable way. In this way, we actively shape a new generation of future leaders by teaching essential skills and strengthening our students’ creativity, innovative spirit, and entrepreneurial drive.

The Innovation Seminar is an interdisciplinary, curricular workshop-style seminar open to all THA students. This seminar equips you with important creativity and innovation skills for shaping our future.

Innovation potential and good ideas shape every aspect of our lives, across all industries and subject areas, and are relevant in architecture and construction, design, electrical engineering, mechanical and process engineering, business, computer science, and the humanities and natural sciences. 

Together, we not only work on exciting ideas but also put them through their paces. The seminar always takes place during the summer semester. 

Here’s what else you can look forward to: 

• collaborating with students from other disciplines and degree programs
• exciting keynote speeches by experienced alumni founders
• interactive workshops 
• networking with founders and entrepreneurs from the region
• exclusive events, such as free tickets to the Rocketeer Festival
• and much more 

The Innovation Seminar is your chance to step outside your comfort zone and actively shape the future together with students from other disciplines.

For more information and to register, visit Moodle: moodle.hs-augsburg.de/course/view.php

Description

The FWP course “Business Planning in Start-ups” covers the details of business planning with a focus on newly founded companies, known as “start-ups.” In addition to market and competitive analyses, the course focuses in particular on the development of business models and the creation of business plans.

 The FWP is offered in cooperation with Funkenwerk, the central support center for all startups at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. The course places special emphasis on practical relevance: Participants will serve as consultants for real start-ups. In the future, there will also be opportunities to become co-founders of these start-ups.

Target Audience

The FWP is aimed at those interested in startups and students with a strong interest in finance, marketing, and business management, as well as a willingness to collaborate with people from other disciplines in project groups.

Content

The FWP consists of two parts. In the theoretical fundamentals (lectures and exercises), participants acquire the skills necessary for financial management in startups. This includes an introduction to project management and entrepreneurship, as well as in-depth training in financial management.

In the practical component, participants work in teams of two to advise real startups. Working independently alongside the theoretical sessions, they collaborate with founders supported by Funkenwerk, assisting them in designing their business models and preparing their business plans. These are ultimately presented in a “pitch” to a panel of experts.

Organizational Details

Participants organize the workshops with the startups independently.

The FWP is open to students from BW, IM, and IWI.

The prerequisite for participation is 80 ECTS credits. The seminar takes place during the winter semester. 

The FWP comprises 4 SWS (including 2 SWS of regular class time) and 4 ECTS.

Grades are based on the business plans (70%) and the final presentation (30%).

The course is limited to twelve participants.

Contents

• Fundamentals of corporate entrepreneurship, how it fits into other entrepreneurship frameworks and models, and how it differs from them
• Strategies, tools, and methods for entrepreneurship within companies
• Opportunities, risks, and obstacles in corporate entrepreneurship
• In collaboration with an industry partner, best practices are taught alongside real-world experience.

Contents

• Introduction to “Digital Innovations”
• Overview of digital innovation (as distinct from traditional innovation) and digital technologies as catalysts for new business models
• Methods and structuring approaches for the analysis, design, and development of (digital) innovations and value creation mechanisms
• Overview of exciting traditional and new digital innovations and business models
• Application to practical examples from regional companies

Contents

• Introduction to Cybersecurity
• Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Awareness
• Introduction to Human Factors
• Fundamentals of Human Motivation, Cognitive Biases, and Security Behavior
• Introduction to Innovation Methods
• Methods for Creating Incentives and Increasing Motivation
• Project work on the prototypical development of a solution that can positively influence the cybersecurity behavior of a selected target group,
  including:–
  Analysis of the target group and its specifications
  – Analysis of the intended target
  behavior– Analysis of current barriers to the target behavior–
  Design of a solution
  approach– Prototype implementation of the solution approach–
  Evaluation of the prototype with test
  subjects– Presentation and documentation of the project results

Contents

• Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship and Digital Social Innovation
• Overview of social entrepreneurship, digital social innovation, and digital technologies as catalysts for new social business models.
• Methods and structuring approaches for the analysis, design, and development of sustainable (digital) business models.
• Application to practical examples from regional companies.

In the practical elective course “Starting a Business,” students in the School of Electrical Engineering gain insight into the key areas of responsibility and decision-making involved in starting a business (including types of business structures, business modeling using the Business Canvas and Lean Startup methodologies) and learn to understand the individual steps of the startup process. Team building, idea testing, pricing, legal structure, and financing are just a few of the topics covered. Instructor Maximilian Adam is an alumnus of the School of Electrical Engineering and the founder of mars-event.de.

In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of corporate entrepreneurship as well as future and trend research. You will also gain an understanding of the importance of market-oriented business management and learn to analyze relevant customer needs. In addition, you will develop the ability to analyze and innovate business models in order to position them successfully in the market.

In this course, you’ll learn everything about the necessary steps and challenges involved in starting your own business.

By the end of the course, you will be able to create a business plan, will have learned to think and act like an entrepreneur, and will be prepared for leadership roles.

In the “Qualitative Methods” course, business psychology students learn the fundamentals of qualitative research. At the heart of the course is the conduct of qualitative studies through group work.  

Funkenwerk supports this required module by involving aspiring startup teams that need assistance with market research. This provides students with exciting real-life cases in which they can actively support a startup in its early stages. 

Starting a business also means showcasing your personality.
In the Career Service’s Career Workout, you’ll hone your communication, self-presentation, and mindset—essential skills for your future as an entrepreneur.

Check out the wide variety of ever-changing offerings here.

Off-Campus Workshop at the Gaswerk Site 

In this three-part ideas workshop, held as part of Werkwoche, we’ll demonstrate and develop methods that will help you break out of your usual way of thinking. In collaboration with the advertising agency Raum208, you’ll have the opportunity to creatively transform old, familiar things into something new and better on the historic Gaswerk grounds. Develop a new business model, products, or services based on what already exists. You can also look forward to inspiring talks by restaurateur Tobias Emminger and Nihat Anac, the managing director of SWA Kreativwerk, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the Gaswerk Creative Quarter.

In this workshop, THA’s startup incubator Funkenwerk will show you how to turn your own ideas into reality. Maybe you’re intrigued by the idea of doing your own thing—for example, by becoming self-employed or starting a business or startup.

Funkenwerk helps THA students bring their own ideas to life. We empower and support you in every way. In this workshop, you’ll learn the first important steps, get tips and tools, discover the startup community at THA, and let us get you excited and inspired.

In this engaging and highly hands-on workshop, you’ll also have the chance to meet one of the up-and-coming startup teams from Funkenwerk.
This way, you can gain first-hand experience and insights and see just how effortlessly you can launch a startup and study at THA.

Winter Semester 2023 Date: October 7, 2023

More info and registration here. 

"Planning a Start-up" is an exclusive seminar for students in the School of Business, organized in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Georg Erdmann and aspiring start-up teams at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. Participants act as consultants for real start-ups at THA and support them in developing their business models. In the future, there is also the possibility of becoming a co-founder at these start-ups. 

Supporting Real Start-ups at THA as a Business Consultant

The FWP “Business Planning a Start-up” program is aimed at potential founders and students interested in finance, marketing, and business management. Working in interdisciplinary project groups, they collaborate on market analyses, business models, and business plans. The seminar includes lectures on project management, starting a business, and financial management. In practice, participants work in teams of two to advise real startups, independently develop business plans, and present their results in a “pitch” to a jury.

For Tomorrow’s Startups

Developing a sustainable, competitive business model is a crucial step toward founding your own company. The “Planning a Start-up” program, organized by Funkenwerk in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Georg Erdmann from the School of Business, facilitates networking between future consultants with business administration expertise and aspiring startup teams. It offers an exciting, interdisciplinary collaboration with consultants from the School of Business, as well as expertise in business model development, business planning, business administration, and more. It also provides the opportunity to recruit new experts and team members.

For students and teams working on projects with implementation potential, Funkenwerk offers an exclusive pitch and presentation training session.

Participants give presentations and receive specific feedback—both on the content and structure of the presentation as well as on their personal delivery. In addition, if interested, we discuss concrete steps for how the idea can be pursued further. 

As part of a series of guest lectures, Funkenwerk, together with inspiring founders, will visit your classes. Most of our speakers are THA alumni themselves; they’ll provide you with insights into exciting business scenarios and share their career paths. 

Are you a professor or instructor who’d like to enrich your seminar with a guest lecture? We’d be happy to help: funkenwerk(at)tha.de 

Would you like to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in your course and introduce your students to Funkenwerk? 

Then feel free to contact us at funkenwerk@tha.de