The StartUpLab at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is a place for exchanging ideas, experimenting, working, and learning, enabling members of the university to try out and test visionary ideas. The programme is designed for projects in the pre-start-up phase and offers its users support workshops, advisory services, and financial kick-start funding.

At the official opening of the rooms in April 2024, RISE project manager Prof Dr Karin Schnitker explained the idea behind the project: “With the StartUpLab, we want to raise students' awareness of entrepreneurship and support them in setting up their own company through teaching, interdisciplinary projects, and free formats. The hands-on training also allows students to acquire many overarching personal development skills that are important for any work and life context.”

The StartUpLab at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is divided into a Think!Lab and a Make!Lab. The Think!Lab serves as a space to develop ideas and concepts. It is equipped with a social media studio as well as pitch, event, and seminar rooms and a workshop area for rapid prototyping. The Make!Lab is used for the further development of prototypes and consists of various workshops for their virtual and physical production, for example a 3D printer, a wood and metal workshop, the software laboratory or a prototype kitchen for the development of innovative food.

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.