The Inspire2Start Hub — comprising the University of Stuttgart, the University of Hohenheim, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HfWU), and Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences for Technology (HfT Stuttgart) — served as the first of six stops on the tour.
The visit aimed to bring politicians and universities into direct dialogue with founders. Among those in attendance were Ronja Kemmer (CDU), Nikolai Reith MdL (FDP), Tayfun Tok, Andrea Lindlohr, and Cem Özdemir (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen). Each participating institution presented a startup from its ecosystem: Cyclize (University of Stuttgart), SAM-DIMENSION GmbH (University of Hohenheim), MISA.ai (HfWU), FÜNF PROZENT GmbH (HfT Stuttgart), and RecovLabs (Esslingen University of Applied Sciences).
A range of discussion formats brought key challenges for founders to the fore: limited access to capital, bureaucratic hurdles, and insufficient support in the early stages. The political representatives in attendance engaged openly with these perspectives and contributed their own views constructively. The shared conclusion: entrepreneurship is not a nice-to-have — it is a central driver of the country's capacity for innovation.
TRACES would like to thank Dr. Raoul Haschke and Adrian Thoma for initiating and organising the Summer Tour, as well as all participating university representatives for providing such a strong platform for the startups involved.
Contact
Hanna Dewes
Communication & Public Relations