SEPT Competence Center

☎️ Final reminder: Join the Born-Global Startup Festival 2026!

👍 Registration is still open for the Born-Global Startup Festival on 23 June 2026 in Leipzig.

Are you curious about launching a startup in Germany? Do you want to meet international founders, business coaches, investors, and other entrepreneurial talents?

Then join us for an inspiring evening with startup insights, founder stories, SMILE startup pitches, demos, networking, and a summer party.

📅 23 June 2026, 4:30 p.m.
🏚️ Plagwitzer Markthalle, Markranstädter Str. 8, 04229 Leipzig
😊 Free of charge — registration required

👍 Register now and secure your spot: https://born-global-startup-festival.bitrix24.site/bgsf2026/

We look forward to welcoming you in Leipzig!

👏 SMILE showcased successful EXIST teams from the University of Leipzig at MACHN Festival 2026

👍 The Leipzig University’s startup initiative SMILE showcased top-tier startup teams from the University of Leipzig at MACHN Festival 26. Among them were the Leipzig-based teams PronunCise, PeACE, LaFlora, and Skillence, who presented their innovative business ideas to a broad audience from the fields of business, science, technology, the creative industries, and the startup ecosystem.

📢 The MACHN Festival is considered East Germany’s largest startup festival for marketing, leadership, and innovation. Each year, against the unique backdrop of Leipzig’s Baumwollspinnerei, the festival brings together founders, investors, companies, researchers, and creative visionaries. For the teams from Leipzig University, MACHN26 thus offered an ideal platform to showcase their projects, gather feedback, and establish valuable contacts for the further development of their startup initiatives.

💡 The teams PronunCise, PeACE, LaFlora, and Skillence exemplify the diversity and quality of the startup ideas emerging from Leipzig University. They demonstrate how scientific expertise, societal relevance, and entrepreneurial thinking can be successfully combined.

▶️ Learn more here: https://www.wifa.uni-leipzig.de/en/sept-competence-center/newsdetail/artikel/smile-showcased-successful-exist-teams-from-the-university-of-leipzig-at-machn-2026-2026-06-08

----------------------------------

👏 SMILE präsentierte erfolgreiche EXIST-Teams aus der Universität Leipzig auf dem MACHN26

👍 Die Gründungsinitiative SMILE der Universität Leipzig hat auf dem MACHN Festival 2026 hochkarätige Gründungsteams aus der Universität Leipzig präsentiert. Mit dabei waren die Leipziger Teams PronunCise, PeACE, LaFlora und Skillence, die ihre innovativen Geschäftsideen einem breiten Publikum aus Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft, Technologie, Kreativwirtschaft und Start-up-Ökosystem vorstellten.

📢 Das MACHN Festival gilt als Ostdeutschlands größtes Start-up-Festival für Marketing, Leadership und Innovation. In der besonderen Atmosphäre der Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei bringt das Festival jedes Jahr Gründer, Investor, Unternehmen, Wissenschaftler und kreative Vordenker zusammen. Für die Teams der Universität Leipzig bot das MACHN26 damit eine ideale Plattform, um ihre Projekte sichtbar zu machen, Feedback einzuholen und wertvolle Kontakte für die weitere Entwicklung ihrer Gründungsvorhaben zu knüpfen.

💡 Die Teams PronunCise, PeACE, LaFlora und Skillence stehen exemplarisch für die Vielfalt und Qualität der Gründungsideen, die aus der Universität Leipzig hervorgehen. Sie zeigen, wie wissenschaftliche Expertise, gesellschaftliche Relevanz und unternehmerisches Denken erfolgreich miteinander verbunden werden können.

▶️ Mehr Information: https://www.wifa.uni-leipzig.de/en/sept-competence-center/newsdetail/artikel/smile-showcased-successful-exist-teams-from-the-university-of-leipzig-at-machn-2026-2026-06-08

You are cordially invited to a discussion with Christian Bollert from detektor.fm on June 11, 2026!!

📣 SMILE Insights – the startup talk with Christian Bollert from detektor.fm as a guest on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m.

💎 Be inspired by Christian Bollert’s experiences as he shares behind-the-scenes insights from the media startup detektor.fm during the SMILE talk.

🌞 Join us as Christian Bollert from detektor.fm shares exciting insights into the founding story of the media startup!

⏲️ The event will take place on June 11, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at the Leipzig University of Leipzig (Faculty of Economics building, 1st floor, Seminar Room 7).

🍹 Look forward to a casual talk full of practical insights and interesting stories about startups, media, and communication. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn something new and exchange ideas with other interested participants. Come by and bring your questions!

➡️ https://www.eventbrite.de/e/smile-insights-der-praxistalk-gast-christian-bollert-detektorfm-tickets-1988760733891

A warm invitation to the Born Global Startup Festival 2026
https://born-global-startup-festival.bitrix24.site/bgsf2026/

The Born Global Startup Festival 2026 is your launchpad into the startup world - specially designed for international students, researchers, and graduates who aspire to start their own business in Germany.

Are you an international student, researcher, or graduate interested in starting your own business or working as a freelancer in Germany?

Looking for inspiration, funding opportunities, or ways to grow your professional network?

Then don’t miss the Born Global Startup Festival 2026 — a dynamic event designed to support internationals from all backgrounds as they take their first steps into Germany’s startup world.

What is the Born Global Startup Festival?

Organized by the SMILE, the founders’ initiative at Leipzig University, the Born Global Startup Festival brings together international aspiring entrepreneurs, startup experts, and successful founders to inspire and empower future entrepreneurs in Germany. Free access/admission to the event is possible because SMILE is co-financed by the European Union and the Free State of Saxony.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore a business idea or already working on your startup, the festival offers practical insights, valuable inspiration, and direct access to a vibrant and supportive startup ecosystem.

Program Highlights:
We’ve enriched this year’s festival with inspiring success stories from international founders, essential insights into Germany’s dynamic business landscape, and hands-on info-shots to help you turn your business ideas into reality!

Inspirational Talks & Panel Discussion with International Founders

Hear real stories from international founders who have successfully built their companies in Germany — including the challenges they faced and their key recommendations for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Evening Networking & Summer Celebration

End the day with a networking night with good music, food, drinks, and meaningful conversations. A perfect opportunity to celebrate our diverse international community and spark future collaborations!

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.

Here you can find a video impression of last year! https://youtu.be/-N0z9lmAxNY?si=cGDzYMYudZyveisj

Get ready to get inspired, connect, learn, and launch!


When: 23 June 2026, 16:30 – 22:00
Where: Plagwitzer Markthalle, Markranstädter Str. 8, 04229 Leipzig
Ready to join? Participation is free https://born-global-startup-festival.bitrix24.site/bgsf2026/


More Information: https://born-global-startup-festival.bitrix24.site/bgsf2026/

📣 SMILE Insights – the startup talk with Christian Bollert from detektor.fm as a guest on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m.

💎 Be inspired by Christian Bollert’s experiences as he shares behind-the-scenes insights from the media startup detektor.fm during the SMILE talk.

🌞 Join us as Christian Bollert from detektor.fm shares exciting insights into the founding story of the media startup!

⏲️ The event will take place on June 11, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at the Leipzig University of Leipzig (Faculty of Economics building, 1st floor, Seminar Room 7).

🍹 Look forward to a casual talk full of practical insights and interesting stories about startups, media, and communication. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn something new and exchange ideas with other interested participants. Come by and bring your questions!

➡️ https://www.eventbrite.de/e/smile-insights-der-praxistalk-gast-christian-bollert-detektorfm-tickets-1988760733891