TUD|excite Summer School 2026 – Patents in Search of New Business
Are you a PhD student, postdoctoral researcher, or early-career scientist interested in transforming research into real-world innovation? Do you already have a technology or patent idea that could become a start-up? Or are you looking to join an interdisciplinary team and work on a promising deep-tech business concept?
The TU Dresden International TUD|excite Summer School – “Patents in Search of New Business” offers a unique opportunity for young researchers across Europe to explore entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer through university patents.
Programme overview
Between 24–28 August 2026, Master’s graduates, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers will collaborate in international and interdisciplinary teams alongside inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovation experts from the TU Dresden network, partner universities from the EUTOPIA alliance, and the DRESDENconcept partners.
Participants will:
- Gain access to selected university patents and technologies
- Develop innovative product concepts and business models
- Work closely with inventors and start-up professionals
- Present their ideas to an external expert jury at the end of the programme
Main thematic areas
- Environmental protection
- Medical technology, pharmacy, and biotechnology
- Materials science
- Agriculture and natural materials
- Electronics and energy technologies
- Sensor technology
- Photophysics
Why participate?
As part of the Zuse Innovators Program (Z-IP) patent incubation initiative, the Summer School offers:
- Intensive hands-on start-up experience in an international environment
- Practical methods for developing use cases and business models
- Direct interaction with inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovation experts
- New perspectives on careers in entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer
Location
📍 Saxony / Lausitz, Germany
Dates
📅 24–28 August 2026
Applications DDL: May 31, 2026
More information: eutopia@ubbcluj.ro