Ideenwettbewerb 2026 and LUH Startup Day

With the Ideenwettbewerb 2026, Leibniz University Hannover is looking for innovative approaches from all disciplines. Submissions can range from technological and digital solutions to social, cultural and sustainability-focused concepts.

Students, researchers and employees of LUH, as well as alumni, are eligible to participate. The three best ideas will each receive €3,000 in prize money, and an additional Impact Award worth €1,000 will also be presented. The submission deadline is 15 September 2026.

The award ceremony will take place one month later as part of the LUH Startup Day. On 15 October 2026, the atrium of Leibniz University Hannover will become a meeting point for aspiring founders, start-ups and the regional innovation ecosystem from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.

In addition to the award ceremony, the Startup Day will feature pitches, insights from founders and a range of opportunities for exchange and networking. HTI BioIntelligence will also be there, and we are looking forward to connecting with founders, researchers and everyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Together, the two formats reflect two important steps on the journey from an initial idea towards founding a company: the Ideas Competition offers an opportunity to further develop and showcase promising concepts, while the Startup Day creates a space to discover the LUH start-up ecosystem and build new connections.

Further information about Ideenwettbewerb 2026 and LUH Startup Day