PioneerPort - We.Make.Founders.
ZU as a Founding University
Zeppelin University sees itself as an entrepreneurial university for the next generation of founders.
As a university at the crossroads of business, culture, and politics, ZU supports not only classic, profit-oriented start-ups but is equally committed to social, political, and cultural entrepreneurship.
Aspiring founders at ZU benefit from a rich ecosystem: coaching at PioneerPort, teaching that brings entrepreneurship into the classroom, a large alumni network of founders and investors, and access to regional and national networks in business and politics. And what makes ZU truly unique are its enthusiastic and energetic student initiatives.
Pioneer Talk
During term time, we offer individual advice every Wednesday afternoon on your next steps toward founding a company.
Our startup coach, Andreas Luible, holds an open office hour for all Zeppelin University students interested in entrepreneurship.
- When: Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:30 pm, during lecture periods
- Where: PioneerPort at our FAB Campus, Room 2.10
Doesn't fit your schedule? No problem – just reach out to us at pioneerport@zu.de or andreas.luible@zu.de and we'll arrange an alternative time.
Whether you already have a concrete idea you would like to discuss, want to get involved in a startup but don't have an idea of your own yet, or are looking for support for your startup – for example, teammates with a particular background – just drop by.
... and if you'd simply like to chat about startups and entrepreneurship, come say hi.
Defence Summit: Entrepreneurial Students Turn Vision into Reality
Students of the Zeppelin University organized the Defence Summit: Drones & Aerospace, a conference that matches the standard of professional industry events. In October 2026, the ZF Campus in Friedrichshafen hosted the Finance Minister of Baden-Württemberg, the ambassadors of Poland and the Czech Republic to Germany, representatives of the Swiss Armed Forces, and representatives of large industrial players as well as start-ups. They examined the current security situation from the perspectives of politics, industry, start-ups, and society, worked toward a shared understanding, and addressed what needs to be done.
The students ran the summit themselves, from the first idea to the final execution. The result shows initiative, perseverance, and an impressive level of professionalism.
PioneerPort is delighted about this success, because this kind of entrepreneurial thinking and action is exactly what the Zeppelin University wants to support.
Congratulations to the entire organizing team!
Grenzenlos Gründen: Founding Across Borders in the Lake Constance Region
Interreg project of the universities of the Four-Country Lake Constance Region
The Lake Constance region has great potential for innovation and growth. However, funding and financing structures are often shaped along national lines, and start-up ventures run up against national borders. The "Grenzenlos Gründen" project addresses this challenge: it is building a cross-border innovation and entrepreneurship infrastructure for the Four-Country Lake Constance Region, connecting universities, start-ups, SMEs and investors.
Zeppelin University is a project partner alongside HTWG Konstanz (consortium lead), the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST) and Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV). The partners have been working together for several years, most recently on the "AG Entrepreneurship" project of the Scientific Association of the Four-Country Lake Constance Region.
ZU contributes its experience and networks in entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer. It helps build the investor network, including through the Investor Summit Bodensee, and contributes to the Innovation Collider, a new model for collaboration between start-ups and medium-sized companies. It also supports the further development of the digital networking platform.
Targets have been set for each project activity: for supporting start-ups, for helping start-ups and SMEs with innovation, for piloted collaborations between start-ups and SMEs, and for formats within the investor network. Project progress will be measured against these targets.
- Project duration: 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2029
- Total costs: approx. €465,000
Student initiatives
- Startup Village
The big annual networking event at ZU, held every September. It brings together students, successful alumni, and startup players for hands-on workshops, exchange, and fresh inspiration.
- Female Founders Night
The annual student-led event at ZU, taking place in October. It brings together female founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and other forward-thinkers for panels, discussion, and fresh perspectives on the future of female entrepreneurship.
- Whyknot
The student-led consultancy of ZU, founded in 2004. With its members from business, politics, and communication studies, it delivers interdisciplinary, data-driven consulting projects, workshops, and case studies for companies, while giving students hands-on practical experience.
- Tatendrang
The student-led startup initiative at ZU and the umbrella organisation for student initiatives. It is the ideal network for anyone who wants to bring their own ideas to life, find co-founders, or get inspired, from tech and e-commerce to social entrepreneurship.
Investor Summit Bodensee
The Investor Summit Bodensee 2026 took place successfully in October. Many exciting startups presented their ideas and business models and introduced themselves in direct conversation with investors from the region and beyond. We would like to thank all participants, partners and supporters for the inspiring day and the many great conversations.
But as the saying goes: after the summit is before the summit. We will soon begin preparing together with the Volksbank Bodensee-Oberschwaben eG the Investor Summit Bodensee for October 2027. As soon as there is news and concrete information, we will publish it here. You will then be able to register again.
Until then, stay tuned and feel free to check back soon!
If you have any questions, please send an email to investorsummit@zu.de
- Date: expected October 2027
- Location: FAB Campus, Zeppelin University
More than 100 Foundings since 2003
Rock Your Life!
One-to-one coaching by
university students for remedial students
Long-distance transport all over Germany
following a successful suit against Deutsche Bahn
Kiosk-Magazine for Philosophy and Business
A co-working space for social entrepreneurs in the center of Munich
Social network for the
world-wide community of makers
Contact
| Phone: | +49 7541 6009-2117 |
| Room: | SMH Kolon | 2.01 |
Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin | LEIZ
| Phone: | +49 7541 6009 2251 |
| Room: | FAB | 1.67 |