Leuphana Startup School
Learn AI. Build Products. Start Companies.
10 weeks. 10 sessions. From ‘What is AI?’ to ‘How do I start a business?’. Whatever you’re studying, here you’ll learn how to use AI and data to develop real products and build a start-up from them. You don’t have to attend the whole series of events. Simply pick the sessions that are relevant to you.
AI is transforming everything — business models, products, entire industries. Yet very few people know how to actually use it to build a start-up. This is exactly where the LEUPHANA STARTUP SCHOOL comes in.
We’ll start with the basics: what can AI actually do? Which business models work? Then we’ll get hands-on: you’ll discover tools that will help you build your first prototypes and develop your own concept.
What to expect:
- Insights from real founders and experts from the AI and start-up scene
- Hands-on workshops with no-code tools, AI platforms and prototyping methods
- Creative sessions where you’ll develop your own business model
- Case studies of start-ups solving real-world problems with data and AI
- Become part of the Leuphana Start-up Community
You don’t need any programming skills. You don’t need a fully formed idea. All you need is the desire to try something new and build something of your own.
The Startup School is the first building block of the Leuphana StartupLab — a programme that supports students and researchers on their journey from idea to start-up. Those who wish to continue at the end of the semester can join the Leuphana Hackathon directly and subsequently move on to the AI Incubator.
Die Sessions
Over ten weekly sessions, you’ll gain everything you need to develop a data-driven start-up idea — regardless of your field of study.
Time & Location
Summer semester 2026 | 15 April – 24 June 2026
Every Wednesday 4.00 pm – 5.30 pm
Leuphana Campus | Trafos, C.25.019
Participation is free of charge, but registration is requested. It is possible to attend individual sessions.
Programme
#1 - Welcome to the Startup School
KICK-OFF: What to expect – and why AI is changing everything
15.04.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#2 - Founders' Talk I: "How I Got Started"
A founder on the journey from idea to implementation
22.04.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#3 - Getting Started: From Problem to Idea
How to identify problems worth solving
29.04.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#4 - The Startup Journey: How AI Can Be Your Companion
AI as a co-founder: from research and prototyping to sales and marketing
06.05.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#5 - Founders' Talk II: “How I Built the Product”
MVP, early adopters, bugs and pivots
20.05.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#6 - AI Tool Safari
An overview of the current AI tool landscape
27.05.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#7 - Introduction to Vibe-Coding
Build your first apps – no programming experience needed
03.06.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#8 - Founders' Talk III: “How I Scaled & What I'd Do Differently”
Growth, team building and honest lessons learnt
10.06.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#9 - n8n Deep Dive: AI Agents & Automation
No-code workflows and AI agents for entrepreneurs
17.06.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
#10 - Getting Real: Pitching, Funding & Legal
From pitch decks to business registration – everything you need to know
23.06.2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
