Promoting start-ups is a major topic at OTH Regensburg, as the numerous successful spin-offs show. Innovative start-ups such as Kalypso, Qwicklane, Urnfold, 2lock and Inklusionsmatch have emerged from the university and the number of start-ups is increasing. OTH Regensburg is therefore fully in line with the trend, as according to the latest study by the German Start-up Association, 2,766 start-ups were founded in Germany last year. With an increase of eleven per cent compared to the previous year, the trend of new start-ups continues to point clearly upwards. The past year was also the second strongest year for start-ups behind the record year of 2021.
Regensburg occupies a leading position among the start-up cities. The cathedral city is in 2nd place in Bavaria. ‘Nationwide, we are even approaching the top 10 cities,’ says a delighted Prof. Dr Sean Patrick Saßmannshausen, Professor of Start-up Studies and Head of the Start-up Centre at OTH Regensburg. He attributes the excellent ranking to Regensburg's start-up ecosystem. The start-up support at OTH Regensburg makes an important contribution to this, as the latest studies show that universities and research institutions often form the basis of entrepreneurial innovation. More than half of the start-ups now state that they received support there when setting up their business. The good networking is emphasised as particularly positive.
‘At OTH Regensburg, we combine research and teaching with entrepreneurial initiatives and programmes,’ says Prof. Dr Saßmannshausen. In addition to courses, lecture series and summer academies, special formats such as the Female Founders Programme offer students the space to develop, experience the entrepreneurial spirit and learn important skills. In rooms specially created for start-up teams at the university, such as the OTH Start-up Lab, founders can try things out and receive technical help and support. In addition, competitions co-organised by OTH Regensburg, such as the Danube Cup, offer start-up teams the opportunity to exchange ideas and compete in an international environment.
The merger of six Bavarian universities to form the Ostbayern start-up hub has also extended the activities to the entire East Bavarian region. In the current edition of the Start-up Radar 2025, the Eastern Bavaria Start-up Hub is presented as a practical example that promotes a positive start-up culture. Students can network across universities and cover all areas of a successful start-up as interdisciplinary teams.
