Successfully completed: International TUD|excite Summer School 2025 in Hoyerswerda

From August 25 to 29, 2025, this year's International TUD|excite Summer School took place at Hoyerswerda Castle under the motto "Patents in Search of New Business". Around 30 young scientists from Europe and India came together to spin new ideas at the interface of innovation, entrepreneurship and structural change. In an intensive week, real patents from TU Dresden were translated into viable business models - supported by experts from science and business, coaches and entrepreneurs.

Opening & impulses
After a short welcome by Prof. Andreas Pinkwart (Director TUD|excite), the onboarding of the teams and the presentation of the patents, Prof. Jörn Block (University of Trier) kicked things off with his keynote speech "How to turn patents into products and a business model?" . His practical insights into the exploitation of patents showed the participants how research can generate economic added value. Stephanie Wieneke (TUD|excite) then introduced the first part of the business model canvas - with a focus on the product, value proposition and target customers. The participants then began to sketch out their initial ideas for a business model.

On the first evening, Kathrin Schlesinger (Lautech) and Sebastian Schindler (City of Hoyerswerda) provided exciting insights into the regional transformation of Lusatia. Decades of opencast lignite mining, which has shaped the region's economy, is now gradually being phased out - making way for new fields of the future. Instead of fossil fuels, the focus is shifting to innovation, digitalization, renewable energies and knowledge-based business models. Lusatia is thus set to become a vibrant model region for high-tech and liveable areas. Lusatian entrepreneurs Dr. Owen Ernst and Anne Handschick-Ernst (quantum grade materials), who gave participants an insight into the work of their local start-up, are among those contributing to this.

From the idea to the business model
In part 2 of the business model canvas, Stephanie Randel and Norwin Kubick (TUD|excite) delved deeper into the topics of competition, unique selling points, channels, key partners, core resources and intellectual property (IP) with the participants. The teams then used the time to make their ideas marketable and develop structured models.

At the speed dating session with our patent and technology transfer experts such as Dr. Sebastian Hermsdörfer (Pfenning law firm), Prof. Block (University of Trier), Sebastian Flößel, Dr. Andrea Schenk and Hans-Georg Wagner (TUD|excite), questions in a targeted manner regarding copyright laws, licensing and market opportunities were then discussed.

Marco Rösler (TUD|excite) introduced the topic of market validation and explained to the participants why it is so important to focus on customers in particular.

Excursions & regional experience
The group gained new perspectives on the history of computer pioneer Konrad Zuse during a guided tour of the Zuse Computer Museum (ZCOM). An excursion to the construction site of the Smart Mobility Lab and then to LakeGeierswald showed just how much Lusatia is already undergoing change. On Wednesday evening, a joint BBQ with Prof. Andreas Pinkwart (Director TUD|excite), Thomas Kirchner (YETI) and Alexander Türpe (exciteLAB) offered space for reflection, exchange and relaxed networking in a relaxed atmosphere.

Another highlight was a short city tour with Konstanze Niemz, who opened up historical and cultural perspectives on Hoyerswerda.

Pitch preparation & expert feedback
The teams were professionally prepared for their final presentations with intensive pitch training from Teresa Buchner and Nora Azzaoui (Kobold). During the pre-pitches with Dr. Andreas Olmes (HTGF) and Sören Schuster (TGFS), they received valuable feedback on how to approach investors, scalability and market potential.

Hans-Georg Wagner (TUD|excite) also gave concrete recommendations for further action with the selected patents - from exploitation to possible founding.

We welcomed the mayor of Hoyerswerda, Mirko Pink , to the closing ceremony. He emphasized how important programs such as the International TUD|excite Summer School are for the region and hopes that the participants will share their positive experiences in Lusatia with other people from all over the world.

Regina Kraushaar, Saxony's Minister of State for Infrastructure and Regional Development, also commented in a video message:

"Lusatia is undergoing profound structural change as a result of the phase-out of coal-fired power generation. In order to shape this successfully, new value chains with strong, innovative companies are needed. And it needs highly qualified people to work in these companies and set up new ones. The International TUD|excite Summer School brings together exactly what is important for Lusatia at this moment: new perspectives, scientific excellence and the courage to turn ideas into concrete solutions. That is why the Saxon State Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development is supporting the 'Zuse Innovators Program' and the Summer School with a total of 160,000 euros from the 'Special Regional Initiatives' funding program."

At the end of this busy week,Marco Weicholdt (CEO boOst) emphasized the importance of knowledge transfer and securing talent and is confident that the ideas from the Summer School will be pursued further.

The festive conclusion was the award ceremony for the best pitches, with the support of a great jury team(Dr. Nagwan Abu El-Ella (TUD|excite), Isabel Antholz (iGNITE MEDICAL), Alexander Türpe(exciteLAB). The team from SaxonLi (container-based production of lithium) can look forward to winning a wildcard for the Dresden accelerator exciteLAB. Congratulations to them!

We would like to thank all participants, experts, jury members, partners & organizers for their commitment. We are already looking forward to the sequel!