In recent years, Hof University of Applied Sciences has established itself as a good address for entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. Impressive proof of this is the jump in the renowned start-up radar of the Stifterverband: Hof climbed from 43rd to 14th place in the category of small universities, a remarkable success that reflects the targeted measures and dedicated work of all those involved.
The start-up radar is a study by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, which examines start-up support at German universities. The aim of the study is to analyze the framework conditions for start-ups at universities and to promote further developments in this area. According to the study, Hof University of Applied Sciences is particularly outstanding in the areas of anchoring, qualifying and supporting start-ups. Hof recorded a strong improvement overall (16.7) and rose from 43rd to 14th place (out of 63) and is also mentioned by name in the Start-up Radar report.
Excellent framework conditions for start-ups
The success of Hof University of Applied Sciences is based on a well thought-out concept for promoting entrepreneurship – and in particular on targeted investment in structures and teaching formats.
The topic of start-ups itself is explicitly and visibly anchored at Hof University by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valentin Plenk, Vice President Research, Development and Entrepreneurship. He explains:
‘At our university, founders benefit from a closely interlinked network of initiatives and programs, which ensures that those interested in founding a company receive the best possible support at really every stage of the start-up process.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valentin Plenk
The network consists of the following components:
The StartUpLab: The innovation incubator at Hof University of Applied Sciences
As a central contact point for students interested in founding a company, the StartUpLab (funded until May 2025 by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research from the Research at Universities of Applied Sciences program) offers a combination of teaching, awareness-raising, advice and coaching. The adjoining MakerSpace, a workshop for tinkerers and developers, gives students and researchers the opportunity to turn their ideas directly into prototypes. Last but not least, limited financial support is also possible through the Kickstart funding program until May 2025: teams receive up to 7,500 euros to develop initial prototypes and test their business idea. The StartUpLab is headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing Anke Müller (Makerspace and KICKSTART) and Prof. Dr. Michael Seidel (start-up consultancy, EXIST, Einstein1). He says:
We are delighted with the good ranking and the nationwide leap forward. The building blocks that have been put in place over the last few years work together to create a functioning start-up ecosystem – from the initial idea through to financing and growth.”
Prof. Dr. Michael Seidel
The start-up qualification
A central component of the StartUpLab’s start-up support at Hof University of Applied Sciences is the comprehensive start-up qualification, which provides students with practical skills for entrepreneurial success. The university offers a variety of innovative teaching formats. These include interdisciplinary courses such as the “Ideationweek” led by Prof. Dr. Oliver Mauroner in the summer semester, in which students work intensively for a week on finding ideas using the design thinking process. The program is supplemented by creative workshops such as “Lego Seriousplay”, inspiring teaching events such as the “Over 12 Summits to Entrepreneur!-Tour and excursions to leading start-up events such as the “bits & pretzels” trade fair in Munich. Students also benefit from regular formats such as the “meet & eat Foundertalks”, where successful founders share their experiences.
In addition, Hof University of Applied Sciences offers students as part of the “Gründungshub Oberfranken” (GO!) as well as academic staff and doctoral students via the “Young Entrepreneurs in Science” (YES) format, special further education and qualification programs to prepare them specifically for a possible entrepreneurial future and connect them with valuable networks.
GO! Start-up Hub Upper Franconia
The GO! start-up hub Upper Franconia is a cross-university joint project to promote start-ups in the Upper Franconia region. Hof University of Applied Sciences works together with the universities of Bayreuth and Bamberg as well as Coburg University of Applied Sciences in order to specifically qualify and network students with an affinity for start-ups. The focus is on practical courses, coaching and advice to help young entrepreneurs on their way. The close cooperation between the universities creates a strong start-up ecosystem with valuable synergies. The project runs from 2023 to 2028 and helps to sustainably strengthen entrepreneurship in Upper Franconia. Prof. Dr. Michael Seidel (management) and Camilla Lenz (project management) are coordinating the project at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
YES – Young Entrepreneurs in Science
Since 2025, YES has supplemented the start-up qualification program specifically for doctoral students and academic staff from all disciplines at Hof University of Applied Sciences. The aim of the program is to impart entrepreneurial skills and promote a cultural change towards more decisiveness and entrepreneurial spirit in science. In interactive workshops, participants learn to view their research from the perspective of entrepreneurs and to recognize the potential of their scientific work for innovative start-ups.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller also refers to the start of the project in difficult times:
‘We started in the Corona year on an empty campus. But now our work is bearing fruit! The StartUpLab is now firmly established as an interface between the university and the start-up center. The Makerspace has become a central point of contact, not only for our national and international students, but also within the university to try things out and try something new.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller
Einstein1 – The digital start-up center for the Hochfranken region
Another important component is the prestigious Einstein1 digital start-up center on the university campus, which offers much more than just co-working spaces as part of the “Gründerland Bayern” campaign. This is where start-ups, tech experts, investors and scientists meet to drive innovation forward together. Support ranges from advice on initial ideas to possible financing from business angels from Upper Franconia. In addition to consulting and funding offers, regular events, workshops and networking events take place here. The scientific director is Prof. Dr. Michael Seidel.
With these measures, Hof University of Applied Sciences creates optimal conditions to support innovative start-ups from the idea to market maturity:
With our ongoing commitment, Hof University of Applied Sciences proves that it is not only a place of learning, but also a springboard for innovative founders.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of the university
Background to the start-up radar
The “Start-up Radar” evaluates aspects such as the anchoring of entrepreneurship in the university strategy, raising student awareness, qualification through courses, support services and networking. The ranking differentiates between small, medium-sized and large universities. The aim is to provide universities with impetus for the further development of their start-up support. The focus of the Start-up Radar 2025 is on the consolidation of support structures in order to ensure long-term success.
