Aug 21, 2025
Revitalizing the start-up spirit in Lusatia: TUD|excite Summer School puts patents into practice
How patents from the region are created: The Excellence Center for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TUD|excite) of TUD Dresden University of Technology once again brought together bright minds, exciting ideas and promising patents from August 25 to 29, 2025. The International TUD|excite Summer School unites science and business in the heart of Lusatia, a region undergoing structural change.
Patents in Search of New Business is the motto that challenged the participants in Hoyerswerda to develop new impulses and start-up ideas for patents – including in the life sciences, sensor technology and photophysics. The process involved international scientists working closely and on an interdisciplinary basis with regional stakeholders such as the Lausitzer Technologiezentrum (LAUTECH).
Around 30 young researchers from Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, England, Italy, France and India took part in this year's Summer School. They collaborated closely on business models, developed creative concepts and gained initial experience in an entrepreneurial environment. They received support from a dedicated team of innovation experts, start-up coaches and entrepreneurs from the region.
To round off the week, the participants presented their ideas to investors and received valuable feedback. The most convincing teams had the opportunity to develop their concepts with the help of TUD|excite – and with a bit of luck, this can lead to them securing a place in the exciteLAB in the future. TUD|excite supports start-up teams for a period of six months with individual mentoring and access to globally active companies and investors.
The Summer School is part of the Zuse Innovators Program (Z-IP) and is funded by the Saxon State Ministry for Regional Development (SMIL).
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