Referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Europe”, Munich is the place to be if you want to make it as a tech professional. Why so? Their ecosystem encompassess over 2K startups and over 20 VC firms. While many success stories begin at the university level, laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs, we want to share one in particular…
UnternehmerTUM: Driving Innovation and supporting startup success
UnternehmerTUM is the startup lab of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), which was set up in 2002 by entrepreneur Susanne Klatten. It is a student organization aiming to empower innovation enthusiasts to take entrepreneurial action. Each year, 5,000 people take part in startup programmes at UnternehmerTUM, and 50 new businesses are created. Moreover, the organization is recognized as Europe’s number 1 startup hub in 2024 by Financial Times.
They collaborate with startups and established businesses to turn tech concepts into successful market solutions. This non-profit organization provides 20 programs that guide entrepreneurs through essential aspects of building a company, including prototype development, pitching to venture capitalists, and executive training.
UnternehmerTUM has been promoting startups that have raised over €2 billion, including Celonis, Konux, Lilium, inveox, and Isar Aerospace.
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of UnternehmerTUM is Stefan Drüssler, staying also behind the initiative Rise Europe, uniting leading startup ecosystem builders from 13 European countries.
“Manage and More” connects students with Bulgaria’s startup ecosystem
Manage and More is a scholarship program offered by UnternehmerTUM for entrepreneurial students from all universities in Munich.
The program has a community of over 500 individuals who have graduated over the past 20 years.
“Most of our alumni are involved in the startup community, either by founding their own companies or working in startups. However, there is also a significant portion who pursue careers in consultancy or work as intrapreneurs within larger corporations. These individuals bring their entrepreneurial mindset and skill set to their roles, even if they are not part of a traditional startup,” shared Dayana Penkova, a program alumna.
The program offers the scholars to enhance their personal and professional skills through workshops, coaching, and mentoring. A key aspect of the program involves planning and executing innovation projects in collaboration with established industry partners.
Last week, 40 participants from the Manage and More by UnternehmerTUM joined Betahaus Sofia where they met with Etien Yovchev, co-founder of The Recursive. He showcased an overview of Bulgaria’s startup ecosystem and demonstrated how the media can enhance opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs, also presenting The Recursive’s Storytelling Studio and #BreakingGrounds.
That was just one of the stops they made during their visit to Bulgaria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, where they explored potential collaborations between Sofia and Munich. Their tour featured presentations and discussions with companies like Endurosat, Dronamics, Payhawk, and BrightCap.
Manage and More by UnternehmerTUM at Endurosat, speaking to the founder, Raycho Raychev
Manage and More by UnternehmerTUM at betahaus with The Recursive and BrightCap representatives
Exploring Bulgaria’s innovation landscape
The main objective for visiting Bulgaria comes from the desire to gain insights into how things operate here, particularly within the innovation space.
“We typically travel to a new city twice a year to connect with locals, including established companies, startups, and creative thinkers. Our aim is to reflect on and learn about the innovation ecosystem in different countries, bridging what we already know with new perspectives,” shared Robin Caloudis who has previously completed the program but remains part of the organization.
The participants also shared that building lasting friendships with startups is a key goal for them during these visits.
“So far in Bulgaria, I’ve found the people to be incredibly welcoming and eager to engage in meaningful conversations. It’s clear that there is great potential for collaboration and synergy among our different hubs,” concluded Robin.
