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!

🌍 Call for Applications: SEPT International Alumni Conference 2026
How can development cooperation remain effective in times of shrinking budgets, global crises, and shifting priorities?

Join fellow alumni and practitioners from around the world at the International Alumni Conference 2026:

📍 Bochum, Germany
📅 11–17 October 2026

This year's theme: "Rethinking Global Development: New Priorities and the Post-2030 Framework"

Participants will explore:
✅ The impact of international funding cuts
✅ New roles for the private sector and civil society
✅ Future directions for global development beyond Agenda 2030

The conference offers a unique opportunity to contribute your own professional experiences, engage in interactive workshops, and connect with an international network of development practitioners.

💡 Selected international alumni may receive DAAD funding covering travel, accommodation, and visa costs.

🗓️ Application deadline: 28 June 2026

All Information: https://www.wifa.uni-leipzig.de/en/sept-competence-center/newsdetail/artikel/call-for-applications-sept-international-alumni-conference-2026-2026-06-09

We would be delighted to see members of the SEPT community among the participants!

👏 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

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👏 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/

🥬 Agri-Impact Group Visits SEPT Competence Center to Explore Collaboration Opportunities in AgriTech and Agribusiness

🤝On 28 May 2026, the SEPT Competence Center at Leipzig University welcomed Mr. Daniel Fahene Acquaye, Group CEO of the Agri-Impact Group, for a working visit focused on strengthening collaboration in the areas of AgriTech, agribusiness, and capacity development.

🚀 During the meeting, the Agri-Impact and SEPT teams engaged in productive discussions on opportunities for joint project development, knowledge transfer, and professional training initiatives aimed at supporting innovation and entrepreneurship within Africa’s agricultural sector. Particular attention was given to opportunities for strengthening skills and institutional capacities through SEPT’s advanced training programmes, including the MBA programme, the Export Manager Advanced Training (EMAT), the Certified Innovation Manager Training, and Process Optimisation Training.

Learn more here: https://www.wifa.uni-leipzig.de/en/sept-competence-center/newsdetail/artikel/agri-impact-group-visits-sept-to-explore-collaboration-opportunities-in-agritech-and-agribusiness-2026-05-29

Last week, SEPT Competence Center at Leipzig University, as coordinating institution of the Saxon Science Liaison Office (SSLO) in Vietnam, had the pleasure of welcoming colleagues from Vietnam for a multi-day visit across several universities in Saxony.

The visit aimed to strengthen institutional exchange, deepen mutual understanding, and explore future cooperation opportunities between Saxon and Vietnamese higher education institutions.

Over the course of the week, the delegation visited:
📍 Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau (WHZ)
📍 Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF)
📍 Technische Universität Chemnitz (TUC)
📍 Hochschule Mittweida
📍 Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz
📍 Leipzig University

Through meetings with university leadership, international offices, and faculty representatives, participants gained valuable first-hand insights into the academic strengths, research profiles, and internationalization strategies of the participating institutions.

The exchange also created space for discussions on future collaboration in areas such as:
🔹 Student and staff mobility
🔹 Academic partnerships
🔹 Research cooperation
🔹 Capacity-building initiatives and international projects

As coordinator of the SSLO, SEPT continues to support the development of sustainable partnerships between Saxony and Vietnam by facilitating dialogue, strengthening institutional networks, and promoting Saxony as an attractive destination for higher education, research, and innovation.

The visit further highlighted the importance of continued international exchange initiatives and funding opportunities, including programs supported by DAAD and other academic cooperation frameworks.

We sincerely thank all participating universities and colleagues for the warm welcome, insightful discussions, and shared commitment to international collaboration.

📣 SMILE Insights – the startup talk with Alexander Jaworski (greenhub) as a guest on July 9, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m.

🚀 The “SMILE Insights” event series offers exclusive insights into the practical experiences of successful founders from the Leipzig metropolitan region.

💚 Join us on July 9, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m., when Alexander Jaworski, co-founder and managing director of greenhub solutions GmbH (https://greenhub.eu/), will share exciting stories and give you a behind-the-scenes look at the founding history of his green tech startup!

🏡 The event will take place at the University of Leipzig (Faculty of Economics building, 1st floor, Seminar Room 7). A small get-together will follow with free drinks and snacks.

📅 Date & Time: July 9, 2026 (Thu) | 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Location: University of Leipzig, Grimmaische Str. 12, 04109 Leipzig, Faculty of Economics (Institute Building), 1st floor, Seminar Room 7 (SR7)

About Alexander Jaworski:
Alexander Jaworski studied industrial engineering, worked as a research assistant at the university, and, three years ago, founded greenhub solutions GmbH together with Kay Plat based on a research project. He also serves on the board of the German AgriFood Society, which represents the German Society for Future-Oriented Agriculture and Food Industry (Deutsche Gesellschaft für zukunftsorientierte Land- und Ernährungswirtschaft e.V.), now with around 120 members from the agri, food, and biotech sectors. As an industrial engineer specializing in sustainability strategies, he firmly believes that healthy food and clean water are the foundation of sustainable development. He has previously spoken on this topic at TEDx Dresden 2025.

➡️ Registration: https://lnkd.in/eENVUXbb

🔗 https://greenhub.eu/
🔗https://lnkd.in/ezNJ988m
🔗https://lnkd.in/enZm8SVS
🔗https://lnkd.in/eHcHBGgd

📣 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

👍 Public voting has begun – SMILE-backed startup AI-Driven Therapeutics is a finalist in the “Sachsen gründet – Start-up 2026” competition

🔝 Voting is now open – and we need your support. We are proud that the SMILE-supported startup – AI-Driven Therapeutics – is among the finalists for the “Sachsen gründet – Start-up 2026” award.

⌛ Voting is open until May 3: https://lnkd.in/eD-FqDh

⏯️ Vote now and support Saxony’s startup scene!

P.S.: Don’t forget to confirm the confirmation email

Image rights: “Saxony’s Entrepreneur of the Year” initiative