Start-up campus

Your central point of contact for start-ups and innovation

The start-up campus at Aalen University of Applied Sciences is your central point of contact for start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurship. We accompany students from all subject areas on their way from the initial idea to implementation - personally, practically and free of charge.
Whether you already have a business idea or are simply curious about start-ups, the Start-up Campus offers a low-threshold introduction to the world of entrepreneurship. We combine teaching, practice; practical experience and a strong regional network so that you can develop and test your ideas and take them forward together with others.

Our mission: We strengthen entrepreneurial thinking at Aalen University of Applied Sciences and support you in developing solutions for real challenges - for your personal future and for an innovative region.

Holistic startup ecosystem & regional network Personal start-up advice & know-how Practical workshops & events

Advisory service, guidance, advice for your start-up

Our personal advisor will help you to develop ideas, examine business models and take advantage of funding opportunities, means of funding. You will receive practical support and a strong network to successfully implement your entrepreneurial steps.

Book an advisory service, guidance, advice

Our offers

Events

At our events, you will meet students, ecosystem partners and experts interested in startups, take part in practical workshops and talks and expand your network for startup projects and innovation culture.

Toolbox

The Gründungscampus toolbox offers you methods, work templates, a collection of specialist literature for borrowing, lending and information on relevant funding programs, scholarship programmes to make start-up knowledge easily accessible.

Advisory service, guidance, advice

Our start-up consulting at the Gründungscampus of Aalen University of Applied Sciences supports you personally in finding ideas, developing business models and financing, funding, so that you can safely start your entrepreneurial journey during your Studies.

Community

Our community including Job Board connects you with like-minded people, start-ups, projects and suitable jobs so that you can actively participate in the entrepreneurship network at Aalen University of Applied Sciences.

Connected to buildings and facilities

In our rooms at the institution of higher education, creative workspaces and meeting places are available for you to implement ideas, work in a team or exchange ideas with mentors.

Curricular offer

In the curriculum of the start-up campus, we combine entrepreneurial knowledge with practice; practical experience so that you can systematically build and refine your start-up and business skills during your studies.

Events and dates

Welcome Day and first semester welcome

17. March 2026

08:00 bis 14:00 Uhr

The 1x1 of entrepreneurship | IHK

25. March 2026

09:00 bis 12:30 Uhr

Entrepreneur Talk

14. April 2026

17:30 bis 19:00 Uhr

All events

Entrepreneurial Campus Community - start, network and grow together

The Gründungscampus Community at Aalen University of Applied Sciences connects students, entrepreneurs and people interested in start-ups. Exchange ideas at events and workshops, find startup jobs, projects or final theses via the Job Board and gain practical experience - whether with your own idea or as part of a founding team.

Become part of the community

Our strong partner initiatives in the region's start-up ecosystem

InnoConsult Aalen

The student consultancy InnoConsult at Aalen University of Applied Sciences offers advisory services, guidance, advice for companies. Students analyze challenges, develop strategies and support companies with new perspectives and in-depth knowledge

Masters Business Development (UK)/master's (US)

The masters/master's programme Business Development / Product Management & Start-up Management at Aalen University of Applied Sciences is practice-orientated and application-oriented. It combines lectures, projects and seminars and prepares students specifically for professional challenges.

InnoZ

The Innovation Center at Aalen University of Applied Sciences (INNO-Z) promotes start-ups and technology transfer. It supports start-ups and SMEs in the region through networks, advisors and practical projects in order to successfully implement innovations.

Start-up region East Württemberg

The Start-up Region Ostwürttemberg promotes start-up teams and young tech companies with creative and sustainable business concepts. We enable a dynamic start-up scene and inspiring spaces in which ideas can develop in a better way.

StartupSÜD

StartupSÜD is the center of a networked and vibrant startup ecosystem in East Württemberg. As a powerful alliance of seven institutions of higher education, we strengthen the active dialog between research, economy, business and politics.

Dock 33 Heidenheim

Dock33 in Heidenheim creates enough time and space for thinkers and designers, for farsighted people, for strategists, Fraternities and sororities/clubs and implementers, for those in love with detail, free spirits, the self-employed and those who want to become one.

in:it coworking lab Schwäbisch Gmünd

As a start-up and entrepreneur, you can rent a work station here and discover a new and flexible working environment that promotes creativity and communication.

News

University

From drones to dog collars: pupils pitch start-up ideas in Aalen

University

PUSH YOUR IDEA 2025: Final full of creativity and pioneering spirit in the Centus Arena in Aalen

University

INNOVATION X SCIENCE 2025

University

Entrepreneurs share their journeys to success and learning - a look back at the Start-up Talk at Aalen University of Applied Sciences

University

Voting phase started for PUSH YOUR IDEA 2025

Aalen University of Applied Sciences | Beethovenstraße 1 | Room 256

Contact Gründungscampus

Christian Kling

Head /Director of Operations

Entrepreneurial thinking, start-up and innovation culture, entrepreneurship programs, partners and networks

That's me: Always interested in exciting ideas and creative people.

Contact us now

Nicole Hauser

Advisor and StartupSÜD Manager

Loves and lives the community.

Contact her now

Christoph Stas

MBD alumni

Community & network development, startup programs, ecosystem building and interface to MBD and InnoConsult

That's me: Come late, but stay late. Swim - Bike - Run

Contact us now

Carina Herkenrath

Communications Manager

Marketing all-rounder: from event management to content creation, design, social media and website maintenance.
Fun fact: alias Kreativbirne.

Contact us now

Frequently asked questions

Do I already have to have a business idea to use the start-up campus?

What advantages does the start-up campus offer me as a student?

You will develop important future skills such as entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving, creativity and teamwork. At the same time, you will gain practical experience in real projects, access to mentoring and a strong network - a clear advantage for your future career, even if you don't start your own business.

Will the start-up campus also help me if I don't want to start a business?

Yes, you will benefit from the start-up campus even if you don't intend to set up your own business: you will learn how companies are created, how innovation works and how to implement projects independently - skills that are in high demand from employers.

What is the difference between the start-up campus and the INNO-Z?

The start-up campus at Aalen University of Applied Sciences is your first point of contact for entrepreneurship, start-up ideas and innovation during your Studies. Here you will receive support in finding ideas, personal advisor, workshops, events and access to the community and network - even without a finished business idea.

The INNO-Z (Innovation Center) is primarily aimed at start-ups and entrepreneurs with concrete projects or established companies. The focus there is on office space, infrastructure and professional working environments.