Lake Constance Startup School 2026
The Format
At the Bodensee Startup School, you can look forward to six days packed with startup energy, during which you’ll take your business model from concept to pitch. No prior knowledge or your own idea is required in advance. During the Startup School, you’ll learn about the phases of startup development and discover how to use your knowledge to turn ideas into business models. You’ll also develop useful skills such as building a team, identifying a problem, conducting user interviews, performing a competitive analysis, finding the right business model, and finally pitching your idea. You’ll be supported by mentors and experts from the local startup scene—a perfect opportunity for networking.
The BSS is a great way to look beyond the academic world and explore entrepreneurship as an alternative career path.
The Bodensee Startup School takes place once a year, alternating between RWU in Weingarten and HTWG Konstanz. This year, it will be hosted by the LAB4DTE Startup Center at RWU.
Who can participate?
The Bodensee Startup School is open to students, researchers, and academic staff from the Kilometer1 universities—the Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences, the HTWG Konstanz, the University of Konstanz, the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences, and the associated Zeppelin University Friedrichshafen.
Spots and Registration Process
The number of spots is limited to 25 participants.
It pays to act fast! You can register for the Startup School using the registration form by July 31, 2026:
After the registration deadline, you’ll receive further information from us via email to help you prepare for the Startup School.
We’ll set up a WhatsApp group for communication among participants, and we may invite you to join it.
Course Credit / ECTS
Students can receive credit for up to 4 ECTS for participating in the Lake Constance Startup School. Credit is awarded by the respective university.
Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences
Credit is granted following individual consultation with the respective dean of studies.
Contact person for questions: Birgit Demuth birgit.demuth@rwu.de
HTWG Konstanz – Studium Generale
At HTWG , participation through the Studium Generale program can earn 4 ECTS credits (graded or ungraded). Credits are awarded in the following winter semester. Register for exams via the Exam Affairs portal.
Contact person for questions: Sibylle Koch s.koch@htwg-konstanz.de
University of Konstanz – Key Competencies
At the University of Konstanz, ECTS credits are awarded through the Key Competencies program.
For questions: kilometer1@uni-konstanz.de
Albstadt-Sigmaringen University
Contact person for questions: Nikolaus Hotea
About the LAB4DTE Startup Center
The Startup Center at LAB4DTE (Laboratory for Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship) is the central hub for founders and innovation enthusiasts at Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences (RWU).
As a partner in the Kilometer1 Hub collaborative project, the LAB4DTE Startup Center supports students, researchers, and alumni every step of the way—from the initial idea to launching their own business.
Through expert startup consulting, hands-on workshops, feasibility studies, and a strong network, the LAB4DTE Startup Center transforms innovative concepts into sustainable business models and fosters a vibrant culture of entrepreneurship.
The LAB4DTE Team
Dr. Henning Wirth, Startup Consulting and Director of the Startup Center
Birgit Demuth, Startup Consulting and EXIST WOMEN
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Höpken, Director of LAB4DTE