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Start-Up Stories Trinational is a trinational event format that puts real start-up stories, challenges, and entrepreneurial journeys from Germany, France, and Switzerland at center stage. The focus lies on personal experiences, learning processes, and key entrepreneurial decisions — beyond traditional pitch formats.

The event is thematically linked to the KTUR project and is implemented with the support of Zukunft.Raum.Schwarzwald. In 2026, the format will take place twice and is designed as a scalable, repeatable event within the trinational innovation ecosystem.

• 2:00 PM Arrival & networking/exhibition phase (15 min)
• 2:20 PM Welcome address (5 min)
• 2:25 PM Two keynotes (15 min each)
• 3:00 PM Panel discussion (45 min)
• 3:45 PM Networking and exchange session

What to Expect
• Two inspiring keynote talks featuring personal start-up stories
• A moderated panel discussion with founders from Germany / France / Switzerland
• Open exchange and networking with founders, students, and innovation stakeholders

The event combines inspiration, dialogue, and networking in an open and low-threshold setting.

Speakers :
Sarah Harbarth is Founder & CEO of KUORI, a Swiss cleantech start-up transforming consumer plastics using food byproducts such as olive pits and walnut shells. Her work tackles microplastic pollution and advances a post-oil circular economy.
KUORI is supported by the EU Horizon Program and received the Renewable Material of the Year Award 2023.
Sarah was selected for the UBS Female Founder Program (2024) and named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Laurent Decrue is Founder, Co-CEO & CFO of Holycode, an AI & tech solutions company for start-ups and SMEs. Founded in 2014, Holycode supports companies in building and scaling digital products and technology teams.
Laurent is a serial entrepreneur, having founded and held key leadership roles in four start-ups, including DeinDeal, Bexio, and MOVU. Under his leadership, MOVU received the Golden Headset Award (2017).
He is also a startup investor, backing promising early-stage ventures and supporting founders in scaling their businesses.

Are you looking for an internship, a topic for your Master’s thesis, or even a future-oriented job?
Then the KTUR Startup Job Fair is the right place for you.

The Startup Fair is a special kind of career fair that connects motivated students and PhD candidates from the Upper Rhine region with innovative start-ups. Founders and employees from start-ups will be on site to present their work and give first-hand insights into the start-up world.

For Start-ups

• Present your company or business idea and connect with talented and motivated candidates
• Start-ups from all disciplines and fields are welcome
• Exhibition space is provided free of charge

For Students and PhD Candidates

• The Startup Fair is not only about jobs – you can also look for internships or suitable topics for Bachelor’s or Master’s theses.
  Maybe you’re even interested in taking the next step and becoming a co-founder
• Need a professional application photo? No problem – a professional photographer will be available (registration required)
• You can also talk to selected experts about what a professional application looks like today and what employers pay attention to

Event Details

When: Monday, April 27, from 5:30 PM
Where: Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany

Snacks and drinks will be provided free of charge.
Admission is free, but places are limited – online registration is required.
The event is bilingual, with English as the main language.

Students can register via Eventbrite

More information

If you are a start-up interested in participating, please contact Frauke Lorenzen: frauke.lorenzen@zv.uni-freiburg.de.

2-Days Venture Capital Online Seminar
May 12–13, 2026 | Online via Zoom | English

What exactly is Venture Capital? What role do investors play in the startup ecosystem? And what makes a pitch truly compelling?

The KTUR Venture Capital Seminar offers two days full of insights, expert input, and interactive discussions for students, researchers, and (future) founders from across the Upper Rhine region and beyond.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Venture Capital and startup financing, from pre-seed funding and VC processes to the growing field of impact investing. Speakers include experienced investors, successful founders, and innovation experts from Germany, France, Switzerland, and the wider EU.

Highlights:
• Comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of Venture Capital
• First-hand insights from VC analysts and impact investors
• Practical advice on pitching, team building, and funding strategies
• Q&A sessions and networking opportunities
• Access to presentation materials and a follow-up resource guide

Don’t miss the chance to connect with experts and peers from across Europe and take your startup idea-or your curiosity-one step further.

It´s also possible to take part in selected sessions only.
All program items are in English and free to visit.

We reserve the right to change the program. Please register for the event in order to receive the ZOOM link. It will then be possible to take part in selected sessions only.

For Students and (Future) Entrepreneurs

Come and discover the KTUR2 trinational summer school and immerse yourself, for five days, in a unique experience dedicated to entrepreneurship.

This comprehensive program guides you through the key stages of creating a business: defining a business model, generating revenue, acquiring customers, securing funding, and developing a business plan.

Through interactive lectures led by academic experts and entrepreneurs, as well as interdisciplinary team projects, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge directly to real projects. The focus is on hands-on experimentation, international collaboration, and developing essential entrepreneurial skills.

Open to students of all levels, whether interested in entrepreneurship or simply curious, the program does not require a prior business idea. Only 40 places are available, ensuring each participant benefits from an interactive and personalized experience.

The summer school will take place from August 24 to 28, 2026, with 2 days in Strasbourg, 2 days in Basel, and 1 day in Freiburg, offering a unique intercultural setting at the heart of the Upper Rhine innovation ecosystem.