Innovation & Entrepreneurship 2026: Deep Dive Intensive Course
Online course | 14.09.-09.10.2026
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences
- Upcoming events
Which public spaces did you enjoy spending time in, and which ones did you tend to avoid during past hot spell periods in many parts of Europe? Are you curious to discover your own innovative abilities and explore how public spaces can be redesigned or reimagined to become more heat-safe, inclusive and climate-resilient? Starting from this real-world challenge, the Deep Dive in Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) will guide you step by step in developing a real or fictitious solution that helps make public spaces more liveable under future climate conditions.
Our Innovation & Entrepreneurship experts will introduce you to the principles of design thinking for innovative problem solving, familiarize you with approaches and tools used by entrepreneurs in startups, and explain how an idea can be brought to life in the entrepreneurial world. You will also be introduced to the concept and use of Living Labs in I&E and have the chance to experience a virtual walk through a Living Lab.
Your knowledge will be built and enhanced through lectures, workshops and counselling by I&E experts, as well as practically through your own pitch presentations and mutual learning through constructive peer review.
Free online course
Course duration: 14.09.-09.10.2026
Registration deadline: Monday, 07.09.2026
Language: English
Participation limit: 80 participants
Working mode: Participants will be assigned to teams of max. four members at the beginning of the course.
Certificate: Depending on attendance, participants can obtain certificate of attendance or certificate of completion. Participants who attend the I&E programme and have completed all three course specialisations can obtain the EURECA-PRO Certificate of Specialisation in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. EURECA-PRO Students can earn ECTS. The course is recognised for members of the EURECA-PRO Doctoral School.
The Course Syllabus and detailed schedule will be provided for download in due time.
Lecturers and Topics
Inga-Maria Eichentopf
Cooling Europe – Searching for Entrepreneurial solutions for heat-safe public spaces
European cities and communities are increasingly affected by extreme heat, while public spaces such as squares, bus stops, campuses, schoolyards and streets are often not designed for future climate conditions.
In this seminar we will take a human-centered and consequence-aware point of view from the perspective of technology assessment, sustainability and climate change adaptation. The focal point of the seminar is to help to engage in a meaningful exploration of a real-world challenge: How public spaces in European cities and communities can be redesigned or reimagined to become more heat-safe, inclusive and climate-resilient.
Throughout the seminar, you will be encouraged to identify the needs of different user groups, reflect on social and ecological vulnerabilities, and develop ideas that are meaningful for those affected by heat. The aim is to guide you towards initial ideas that help make public spaces more liveable under future climate conditions.
Andre Uhlmann
Creating Ideas with Design Thinking
This hands-on workshop introduces students to the fundamentals of Design Thinking through a highly practical and collaborative learning experience. Working in teams, participants will start with a concrete idea and develop it into an initial product concept by following the Design Thinking process.
The workshop is designed for students from all disciplines who are interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative problem-solving. Throughout the session, teams will explore user needs, define challenges, generate ideas, build quick prototypes, and test their concepts through feedback. Short inputs and interactive exercises will guide participants through each phase while keeping the focus on practical application and teamwork.
By the end of the workshop, every team will have created and presented a first prototype of their product idea.
Alexander Knauer
Pitch Like a Pro and Create Excitement
This lecture gives you the essential tools to pitch like a pro and create excitement around your startup or project. Whether you are pitching to investors, management, or a jury, your ability to tell a clear and convincing story directly impacts your success — and your startup’s valuation.
We will walk through the core elements of a strong pitch deck: problem, solution, business model, market potential, and a clear call to action. You will learn how to design a 10x story that not only informs but also inspires, helping to maximize your startup’s valuation. Beyond the deck, we will focus on presentation skills: how to deliver with confidence, use body language effectively, and handle critical questions. Real-life examples and short exercises will help you apply these techniques directly to your own pitch. By the end of the session, you will have a clear structure for your pitch deck and practical strategies to present your ideas with impact. This lecture is ideal for founders, innovators, and anyone ready to level up their pitching skills.
Remo Taferner
Lean Startup & Minimum Viable Product (MVP) – From Idea to Validated Innovation
In this interactive lecture/workshop, participants will learn the principles of the Lean Startup Approach and the importance of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for successful, iterative product development. The Lean Startup method transforms how new products or services are created by emphasizing rapid experimentation, customer feedback, and continuous adaptation. We begin with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Lean Startup, the Build-Measure-Learn cycle, and Validated Learning. We will then explore different types of MVPs – from landing pages and concierge tests to Wizard-of-Oz approaches – and analyse real-world examples like Dropbox and Airbnb.
A key focus will be on practical implementation: participants will work in groups to develop their own MVP for a fictional business idea and receive direct feedback. Additionally, we will discuss success metrics and KPIs for MVPs to understand how product ideas can be improved using data-driven insights. Through interactive discussions, we will reflect on challenges and common mistakes when applying the Lean Startup approach. The goal is to equip participants with the tools needed to systematically test and validate innovative ideas with minimal risk.
Project Coaching
Project coaching is designed as your opportunity to get assistance tailored specifically to your team’s sustainable solutions’ further development. To receive meaningful feedback and guidance, each team must provide a short description (~250-300 words) of the team’s innovative product idea, the progress on development and any relevant questions in the “Ask your project coach” forum.
Afterwards, each team must set an appointment for an online session with the project coach to get direct feedback and guidance on the further development of the team’s project (e.g., sketches of product, description of material, Moodle boards, etc.).
