Successful Completion of the Schwaben Innovation Masterclass 2025/26
Event Location at the Augsburg Ice Rink
How do innovations come about? What sets successful founders apart? And how can we bring together students from different disciplines, universities, and perspectives?
Answers to these questions were provided by this year’s Swabian Innovation Masterclass, which concluded with the festive Innovation Summer Networking event. Over the course of two semesters, 24 selected students from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, the University of Augsburg, Kempten University of Applied Sciences, and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences engaged intensively with the topics of innovation, entrepreneurship, and shaping the future. The Masterclass is a joint program offered by the KANU university consortium—Schwaben Innovation Nexus.
Four universities, one network, one common goal
The Schwaben Innovation Masterclass brings together students from various disciplines and universities in a unique learning and innovation format. Through four thematic modules—ranging from future trends and social impact to business ideation and international entrepreneurship—participants further developed their innovation skills, collaborated across disciplines, and built a cross-university network. Once again, a particular highlight was the international exchange that took place as part of the “International Entrepreneurship” module.
Innovation Summer Networking as a festive finale
At the Innovation Summer Networking event, participants presented their key insights and experiences from the past few months. The diversity of perspectives presented vividly demonstrated just how differently innovation can be approached—and how valuable the exchange between students from different disciplines is.
Additional inspiration came from the startup teams at REVAMP CDI, Insides by Intimate Insights, and FarmAct. In their startup stories, they spoke openly about the challenges, lessons learned, and success factors they encountered on the journey from concept to company.
A special highlight was the ceremonial presentation of participation certificates by Fabian Mehring, Bavarian State Minister for Digital Affairs. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven startups for the future viability of Bavaria and Europe.
More Than Just a Seminar
The Schwaben Innovation Masterclass serves as a prime example of what modern entrepreneurship education can look like: interdisciplinary, cross-university, practice-oriented, and international. For many participants, the experience not only helped them develop new skills but also led to friendships, project ideas, and valuable contacts for their future careers.
For the Funkenwerk at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, the Masterclass is a key component in inspiring students early on to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial thinking, and in sustainably strengthening the region’s innovative capacity.
After the master class is before the master class
Preparations for the next round are already underway. Students from all disciplines at the four partner universities can once again apply for the exclusive Swabian Innovation Masterclass for the upcoming winter semester.
If you want to not only understand innovation but also actively shape it, this is the right platform for you: offering new perspectives, strong networks, and the opportunity to work on the ideas of tomorrow alongside other future-makers.