Official opening of the StartUpLab at EAH Jena : Date:
The University of Applied Sciences Jena (EAH Jena) has officially opened its new StartUpLab on 27 June 2023. The ceremony was attended by 170 guests, including Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow. Moreover, the Federal Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, sent a video message on the occasion.
The StartUpLab at EAH Jena is a place for exchanging ideas, experimenting, working, and learning. It provides staff and students with access to machines, equipment, and tools for prototype development as well as office and meeting rooms. The project has started in August 2020 and is funded via StartUpLab@FH in the BMBF programme Research at Universities of Applied Sciences.
For the ceremonial opening, Bodo Ramelow, EAH Rector Prof. Dr. Steffen Teichert and project leader Prof. Dr. Heiko Haase symbolically cut a ribbon. Afterwards, the guests had the opportunity to visit the StartUpLab facilities. In addition, various kickstart projects from the StartUpLab presented themselves in live pitches.
StartUpLabs are UAS-wide facilities that actively promote and support the entrepreneurial spirit of students and staff. They usually provide UAS members with rooms and equipment as well as supporting structures and events to test and launch start-up ideas. The BMBF funds the establishment of the StartUpLabs as well as the so-called kickstart projects initiated by potential founders within the labs. The goal is to transfer the StartUpLabs into permanent institutions beyond the funding period of up to four years.