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The fifth edition of the trinational KTUR Summer School Entrepreneurship brought together 36 students from 12 universities and 17 different nationalities.

Organised by FHNW, the University of Fribourg, and the University of Strasbourg, the 2025 programme took a significant step towards greater internationalization.
For the first time, students from partner universities outside the Upper Rhine region joined, including participants from Latvia, China, and Morocco.

Throughout the week, students received diverse inputs covering topics such as business models, market analysis, market entry strategies, pitching, financing, and testing. They then applied these insights in teams working on pre-selected business ideas. The atmosphere was dynamic and highly interactive, filled with questions and lively discussions.

The programme was hosted across three cities: Freiburg (first two days), Basel (next two days), and Strasbourg (final day).
Besides the academic sessions, participants enjoyed city tours in Freiburg, a memorable dinner in the dark in Basel, and social drinks in Strasbourg.

On the last day, students presented their business models to a jury and received constructive feedback.

Two standout teams were awarded: Best Project went to TT-Stats, a platform designed to help sports associations manage tournaments and players more efficiently, while Best Team was awarded to Al-G, an innovative algae farming initiative that utilises space between wind turbines to cultivate algae for diverse customers.

The KTUR Summer School 2025 was a vibrant and enriching experience, fostering entrepreneurship and cross-cultural collaboration across borders.

One of the objectives of the KTUR² project is to improve companies, especially SMEs access to cross-border research resources by identifying existing infrastructures, promoting cooperation with universities, and building sustainable R&D collaborations. 

Danièle Schmitt (CCI Alsace Eurométropole) and Jean Pacevicius (Offenburg University of Applied Sciences), both members of KTUR Working Group 1 on R&D and research infrastructures, share their vision of the challenges and opportunities with the 15 partners of the trinational consortium.

Question 1. Understanding the current landscape
Where do you begin with such an ambitious mission?
 
Danièle Schmitt: To launch such an ambitious mission as improving access to research in the Upper Rhine, you first need to establish clear foundations.
That starts by defining what we mean by "research infrastructure" (labs, platforms, fablabs, databases, etc.) and identifying existing resources. This work has already started in two priority areas: robotics and materials, with case studies led by Offenburg University of applied sciences and Cooperative State University Lörrach. In Alsace, around sixty infrastructures have already been identified.
The next step is to analyze access conditions, identify cross-border commonalities, and explore legal and economic aspects (contract models, costs, operations).
The scope will then be expanded to include additional topics and the Swiss partners.
To sum up: we start by identifying, analyzing, and harmonizing in order to make infrastructures more visible and accessible to companies.

Question 2. Building bridges through expertise
What is the role of the “expert pool” in this process?

Jean Pacevicius: The expert pool has been set up. Researchers from the Offenburg University of applied sciences and the Cooperative State University Lörrach will carry out case studies in the coming weeks based on the infrastructures identified by the consortium members. We expect initial feedback in the fall.

Question 3. Testing cooperation in practice
Where do things stand at the end of KTUR’s first year?

Danièle Schmitt: We are currently preparing the two practical cooperation cases. A list of available infrastructures has been shared with the researchers, who are now in the process of selecting the ones they would like to work with. This selection phase is ongoing and is key to launching field tests.

Question 4. Toward a cross-border cooperation model
What kind of cooperation model are you aiming to build?

Jean Pacevicius: We are aiming for a model based on concrete synergies around shared access to infrastructures in the Upper Rhine. To do so, we first need to conduct case studies to identify potential cooperation opportunities and better understand the recurring needs of companies.

Question 5. Coordination and handling requests
And in terms of organization, how will you manage company requests?

Danièle Schmitt: A coordination procedure has been established within the KTUR² network: if one partner cannot respond to an R&D request, it is redirected to another member with the relevant expertise, based on a thematic mapping of each university or Hochschule, while ensuring confidentiality. This procedure is currently being tested with real company cases.
At the same time, lab visits are being organized to showcase the resources available in the Upper Rhine, promote cross-border collaboration, and spark joint projects. The goal is to build a structured regional innovation ecosystem, designed as a network rather than isolated entities, and accessible to businesses.

Work Priority 3 is focused on exploring and promoting entrepreneurship in the Upper Rhine region, which spans across Germany, France, and Switzerland. The working group have designed eight interconnected initiatives to support future founders, strengthen startup networks, and increase the region’s innovative capacity.

Interview of Frauke Lorenzen, Projectmanager of "Start-ups at the Upper Rhine" at Freiburg im Breisgau University (on the right) and Océane Marie, Project Manager for KTUR² Cross-Border Entrepreneurship at the University of Strasbourg (on the left)

Question 1. Analysis and visibility
How do you analyze entrepreneurship in such a diverse region?

Océane Marie: We’re conducting a comprehensive study of the entrepreneurial mindset among students at the 12 KTUR² partner universities. It’s based on the international GUESSS survey, which we’ve run twice during the project. The data gives us valuable insights and helps guide the development of the other activities. It also allows for international comparisons.

Question 2. Inspiration and knowledge transfer
Once you have the data, how do you use it to inspire people?

Frauke Lorenzen: One way is through the KTUR² Startup Talks - our podcast series. We share real entrepreneurial stories from across the three countries. It’s inspired by KIT’s successful podcast channel, and we cover practical topics like funding, networking, and marketing. The idea is to make entrepreneurship feel real and relatable.

Question 3. Qualification and exchange
Do you offer any training for future entrepreneurs?

Océane Marie: Absolutely. We have several initiatives:

• The KTUR² Summer School brings together students, PhD candidates, and international partners to co-create project ideas in diverse teams.
• Our advanced training program helps early-stage founders build key management skills.
• And our VC Workshops give students the chance to experience startup investment scenarios alongside real venture capitalists.

Question 4. Networking and collaboration
Networking is crucial. How do you help startups make connections?

Frauke Lorenzen: We organize a Startup Fair, which gives young companies visibility and connects them with potential partners or employees, even in hybrid formats.
There’s also our Innovation Challenges, where student teams work on real-life problems from regional SMEs. It’s a win-win: students learn, and companies get fresh ideas.
Lastly, our Soft Landing Program supports international researchers and early-stage founders exploring the region’s startup scene. We help them with pitch events, introductions, and onboarding support.

Question 5. That sounds like a very comprehensive approach.
What’s the big picture here?

Océane Marie: In short, Work Priority 3 brings together research, education, international exchange, and entrepreneurship. Together, these measures form a vibrant, cross-border network that helps strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit throughout the Upper Rhine region.

Thank you to Frauke Lorenzen and Océane Marie for sharing with us their vision and passion for a more collaborative, international and accessible form of entrepreneurship.

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After hosting 10 events and enjoying a well-deserved summer break, the KTUR² team is back with an ambitious program to connect innovation actors across the Upper Rhine region. Startups, investors, researchers, students, and companies will have multiple opportunities to meet, collaborate, and engage in meaningful initiatives.

A Fall Season Dedicated to Collaborative Innovation

Here are two major events not to miss:

🔹 LabVisit – Immersion at the Heart of Industrial Innovation | September 23 in Strasbourg
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of key players in applied technological innovation at the Strasbourg-Illkirch Innovation Park. ICube, IREPA LASER and Aerial-CRT open their doors—from advanced research to real-world industrial production.
👉 Learn more: Event link

🔹 Venture Dates – November 4 in Landau
A must-attend event for founders, investors, and innovation enthusiasts. Expect bold ideas, genuine conversations, and powerful partnership opportunities.
👉 Learn more: Event link

A packed agenda through the end of the year

More events are coming soon, with diverse formats designed to spark creativity, entrepreneurship, and cross-border collaboration:

🔸 Startup Fair
A trinational startup job fair helping young innovative companies boost their visibility and attract top talent.

🔸 Open Innovation Challenge
Students from across the Upper Rhine region tackle real-life challenges submitted by regional SMEs, in a spirit of open innovation.

🔸 Lab Visits
Immersive visits to cutting-edge labs and industrial environments to foster collaboration between research and business.

🔸 Venture Capital Seminar
A deep dive into startup financing, featuring VC experts. Refine your pitch and understand investor expectations.

🔸 Soft-Landing Program
International exchange programs to showcase the KTUR ecosystem to global startups—while bringing fresh perspectives back home.

🔸 KTUR Summer School
An intensive entrepreneurship program where students develop their own startup ideas—from concept to pitch.

A Year-Round Cross-Border Innovation Dynamic

In addition to these flagship events, KTUR² keeps the regional ecosystem alive with:

• Local innovation events
• Cross-border networking opportunities
• Continuous training programs tailored to the trinational context

KTUR² is more than a network—it’s a living platform for shared innovation across France, Germany, and Switzerland.
👉 Stay tuned and don’t miss what’s coming next!