Festival of Innovation 2026 Winter Edition

Get ready to experience a wild ride of creativity and cutting-edge ideas at the Festival of Innovation!
About this Event

Join us at the Festival of Innovation! This exciting event will be held at the Hochschule der Medien, where you can experience a celebration of creativity and cutting-edge ideas. Get ready to be inspired by innovative projects, engaging speakers, and interactive workshops. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the latest trends, this festival is the place to be. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and explore the future of innovation!

Unlike the traditional Startup Weekend, this event is specifically designed for students and includes more structured instruction, coaching, and mentoring. It provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop their ideas intensively over a weekend—whether they originated in a course or are entirely new. Participants can also obtain a 3 ECTS certificate via ASAP after the event.

What remains the same:

• A kick-off on Friday afternoon with an inspiring keynote
• A full weekend of innovation and collboration
• Pitch training and coaching on Sunday,
• Structured input and support to make your startup idea fly
• The chance to present ideas on Sunday afternoon,
• Guidance from experienced mentors and coaches,
• Full catering
• A student-organized event – by students, for students.

We would love to have your support as a coach or mentor, or even through a workshop contribution. This event can also serve as an additional opportunity for students from your university to gain valuable entrepreneurial experience.

Friday

🕑: 09:30 AM - 04:00 PM
International Entrepreneurship Education Summit

Info: optional and more information on www.iees-conference.com

🕑: 04:00 PM
Check-in

Info: open until 17:00

🕑: 04:00 PM
Get-together with snacks and drinks | S004
🕑: 05:00 PM
Kick-Off
Host: Prof. Dr. Nils Högsdal & Magdalena Weinle
🕑: 05:30 PM
Welcome talk (speaker to be announced)
🕑: 06:00 PM
Pitch your idea - 60 seconds for you to win supporters
🕑: 06:30 PM
Get into teams
🕑: 07:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Start to work
Saturday

🕑: 08:00 AM
Doors open
🕑: 09:00 AM
Light breakfast
🕑: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Mentoring & Coaching
🕑: 11:00 AM
Input: How to validate Ideas & Product-Market-Fit | S003
🕑: 11:30 AM
Keep on working :-)
🕑: 12:00 PM
Lunch | S004
🕑: 01:00 PM
Input: Business Model Canvas | S003
Host: June Nardiello
🕑: 02:30 PM
Get out of the building - validate your idea with real people
🕑: 01:30 PM
More work on your Ideas & Business Models
🕑: 06:00 PM
Dinner Snacks | S004
🕑: 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Work on your ideas
Sunday

🕑: 08:00 AM
Doors open
🕑: 09:00 AM
Light breakfast
🕑: 10:00 AM
Input: How to Pitch | S003
Host: Magdalena Weinle
🕑: 10:30 AM
Work on your pitch, tech-check, pitch coaching
🕑: 01:00 PM
Final pitches
🕑: 02:30 PM
Startup Talk: Iremia
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Sweet Break
🕑: 03:00 PM
Awards
🕑: 03:30 PM
Fare-well Drinks