SEPT Competence Center | smile | INTERNATIONAL STARTUP CAMPUS
Born Global Startup Festival 2025
About the festival
Born Global Startup Festival 2025 comes with successful stories from international founders, key trends in the Germany's business landscape, and workshops to help you develop and launch your business idea!
Join us to be part of a thrilling and informative experience, connect with like-minded professionals, gain valuable insights from experts, and leave with the knowledge you need to become an entrepreneur in Germany!
Target group: Students, Ph.D., Post Docs,
researchers, alumni and the whole international community in Leipzig
Topics: Setting a Business, Funding Opportunities, Business Idea Validation
Pitching, Ai, Solo Entrepreneurs
Language: English
Cost: Free
Location: Plagwitzer Markthalle
(Markranstädter Str. 8, 04229 Leipzig)
program
To help you kick-start and grow your business idea, international founders will join us to inspire you with their experiences, alongside experts delivering an Info Shot on Trends and Business Opportunities in Germany (2025–2026). An overview of current business trends, funding programs, and opportunities relevant for international aspiring entrepreneurs in Germany.
In addition, we’re offering three parallel hands-on workshops to help you take action right away: Beyond the Research Contract: Future Funding – Hacks, Strategies & New Horizons, Quick Validation of Your Business Idea / Pitch Training, and Using AI for Market Research.
We’ll close the day with networking, music, and a celebration—a perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy the community!
Check-in & registration
International Founders Wall, EntreAction Video Stories & Live Art with Badania (SKIN Design Studio)
Opening
Prof. Dr. Utz Dornberger (Director of SEPT Competence Center, Leipzig University)
Inspirational Talks & Panel Discussion with International Founders
Emma Haley (Megunto GmbH), Dr. Washington Logroño (Pacifico Biolabs GmbH) & Felipe Engelberger (AI-Driven Therapeutics GmbH). Moderator: Dr. Gunnar Kaßberg (CEO, SEPT Competence Center, Leipzig University)
Info Shot: Trends & Business Opportunities in Germany 2025 -26
Parallel WORKSHOPS
Option 1: Beyond the Research Contract: Future Funding – Hacks, Strategies & New Horizons
Option 2: Business Idea Quick Validation and
Pitch training
Option 3: Using AI for Market Research
Upcoming Opportunities, Events & Workshops
Networking and Partying
(Games, Music, Catering & Drinks)
Speakers
Leipzig University
Prof. Dr. Utz Dornberger
Leipzig University
Jazmín Ponce Gómez
LEIPZIG UNIVERSITY
dr. Gunnar Kassberg
CO-FOUNDER
MEGUNTO GmbH
Emma Haley
CO-FOUNDER
PACIFICO BIOLABS GmbH
Washington Logroño
CO-FOUNDER
AI DRIVEN THERAPEUTICS GmbH
Felipe Engelberger
PROJEKTTRÄGER JÜLICH, FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JÜLICH GmbH - START-UP, TRANSFER & INNOVATION SUPPORT
Maiia Deutschmann
startup migrants uG
Norhan Othman
Sebastian benad
LEIPZIG UNIVERSITY
Christian Scheffler
FOUNDER
skin design studio
Bárbara Niño
Last-Minute Access
Important note: 🎉 We're Fully Booked!
Thank you for the incredible interest in the Born Global Startup Festival 2025 – we've now reached full capacity.
👉 Didn’t get a spot? Don’t worry — you can still join our "Last-Minute Access Form" below. We’ll do our best to accommodate walk-ins, depending on available space.
📋 Please also make sure to register manually at the main entrance when you arrive.
📍 Location: Markranstädter Str. 8, Leipzig (Plagwitzer Markthalle)
🕓 Doors open at 16:30 — we recommend arriving early!
👉 To stay up to date with future events, join our Meetup channel or visit our SMILE website.
QUESTIONS? contact us:
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