Young Ideas for the Future: Regional Schools Present Innovative Business Ideas at an Ideas Competition
DZ.S Founders Factory, Augsburg
How does an idea turn into a business model? And how do you inspire young people to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and shaping the future? Answers to these questions were provided by the first major ideas competition for regional schools in 2026, whose closing event took place on July 14, 2026, at the DZ.S Founders Factory in Augsburg.
Eight teams from regional high schools and the International School of Augsburg presented the business ideas they had developed in their economics classes to a panel of experts, teachers, guests from the business and education sectors, and representatives of the “Augsburg gründet!” initiative.
The event was opened by Mayor Dr. Florian Freund, who emphasized in his welcoming remarks the importance of entrepreneurship education for the region’s future viability. Another highlight was the keynote presentation by the founders of the education startup Studyflix, who gave the students authentic insights into their journey from idea to successful company.
Entrepreneurial spirit begins in school
The competition has a clear goal: to inspire students to think and act like entrepreneurs at an early stage. Over the course of several months, the teams developed their business ideas, analyzed target audiences and markets, devised business models, and prepared their concepts for the final presentation.
They were supported throughout the process by workshops and coaching sessions provided by THA_funkenwerk—the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg (THA)—as well as the Digital Center Swabia (DZ.S).
Creative Solutions for Today's Challenges
The range of ideas submitted impressively demonstrated how diversely young people view social and economic challenges.
The business models presented ranged from sustainable concepts for reusing school supplies and clothing to digital job platforms for young people, as well as smart products and AI-based applications, showcasing a wide variety of ideas.
The jury was particularly impressed by the high quality of the proposals and the professionalism of the pitches. Many teams presented their ideas with a clarity and persuasiveness reminiscent of young startup founders.
1st Place: Mountly – St. Stephan High School
With “Mountly,” the team developed a digital solution for sustainable tourism. The app is designed to work with tourism associations to strategically manage visitor flows and thus help combat overtourism.
The jury was particularly impressed by the social relevance of the topic, the clear definition of the problem, and the significant market potential.
2nd Place: Jouny – Wertingen High School
With “Jouny,” the team unveiled an AI-powered job platform for teens and young adults between the ages of 14 and 25. The solution brings together internships, apprenticeships, summer jobs, and part-time jobs on a personalized platform, making it easier for young people to enter the workforce.
3rd Place: StudyJob – Maria Ward High School
The “StudyJob” app connects high school students with private and business clients for flexible part-time jobs. The idea stood out for its clear benefits, high practical relevance, and a compelling pitch.
Strong Partnership Between Schools and the University
For the THA_funkenwerk at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, collaboration with schools is a key component of its efforts to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. For several years now, the institute has been supporting numerous schools in the region with workshops, coaching programs, competitions, and educational offerings.
“If you want to foster entrepreneurship, you have to start early. Young people often bring surprisingly creative perspectives to current challenges. The ideas competition impressively demonstrates the innovative potential that already exists in the region’s classrooms,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Christoph Buck, director of THA_funkenwerk.
Special thanks go to the dedicated teachers at the participating schools as well as to Prof. Dr. Stephan Zimmermann from the THA’s Faculty of Computer Science. As the moderator of the closing event and a long-time supporter of THA_funkenwerk, he supports numerous school projects and competitions. Together with the participating teachers, he helps inspire young people early on to take an interest in innovation, digitalization, and entrepreneurship.
THA_funkenwerk as a Driving Force for Entrepreneurship Education
The ideas competition is part of the “Augsburg Gründet!” initiative and exemplifies the close collaboration between schools, universities, the business community, and regional partners.
Further expansion of the program is planned for the coming years. The goal is to involve even more schools, sustainably strengthen entrepreneurship education in the region, and give young people early access to innovation, entrepreneurship, and shaping their own futures.
The THA_funkenwerk—the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg—will continue to actively shape this path in the future and further advance it as the central hub for entrepreneurship education in the Augsburg region.
Get in touch now and let's shape the future together
Are you a school, initiative, or educational partner interested in working with us to inspire young talent? Then let’s spark some excitement! The THA_funkenwerk team looks forward to new collaborations, creative ideas, and strong partnerships centered on education, innovation, and supporting the next generation.
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Faculty of Computer Science | |
Room J1.08, Ground Floor | |
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