Working Together on New Startup Ideas: Funkenwerk and LEW Seal Their Partnership
Good ideas need strong partners. By signing the agreement, the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation—Funkenwerk at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and Lechwerke (LEW) have officially sealed their partnership. Together, they aim to promote startup ideas from Bavarian Swabia, connect young startup teams with the business world, and strengthen innovation in the region.
The signing is more than just a joint event: it symbolizes the goal of bringing university knowledge, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the experience of regional companies even closer together.
What does this partnership mean for startup teams?
Funkenwerk supports students, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs from the initial idea through to the launch of a startup. With LEW, we’re gaining a partner that brings regional business experience and industry expertise to the table.
A first concrete step is the Funkenwerk Award 2026 powered by LEW. LEW supports the competition with its own category for innovative solutions in the areas of energy, digitalization, and infrastructure.
The winning team of the LEW Special Prize will receive personalized feedback and coaching tailored to their idea from LEW experts. This creates additional opportunities to further develop ideas, gain new perspectives, and discover potential practical applications.
From the region. For the future.
This collaboration contributes to a shared goal: a strong innovation and startup ecosystem in Bavarian Swabia. When universities, startups, and companies pool their experience and expertise, initial ideas can evolve into viable solutions and new entrepreneurial opportunities.
Connections to regional businesses are also a key part of Funkenwerk’s work. Initiatives such as MittelstandMacher create additional points of contact between academia and industry. The partnership with LEW complements this network and opens up new opportunities for exchange between startup teams and the business world.
We look forward to collaborating with LEW—and to many new ideas, encounters, and startup stories from Bavarian Swabia.
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