What is the YUFE Ideas Lab?
Do you have an idea you are passionate about? The YUFE Ideas Lab Incubation Program supports you in turning your idea into reality! The program includes monthly online workshops as well as an intensive project week in Madrid. With the support of experienced mentors and feedback from international students, you will work on your idea in agile training sessions such as co-creation, design thinking, and lean startup.
Applications are open until January 23.
Why take part?
- Structured approach: Step-by-step guidance to develop an initial start-up idea into a compelling concept.
- Hands-on workshops: Online sessions provide methods, tools, and entrepreneurial knowledge that can be applied directly.
- Individual feedback: Mentors and peers offer honest and constructive feedback to help you further develop your idea.
- International experience: Opportunity to present your idea during a project week in Madrid.
- Valuable connections: Access to a Europe-wide network of experts, students, startups, investors, and potential partners.
- Pitch training: Professional preparation to present your idea convincingly.
- Safe environment to experiment: You can test, learn, and grow — without risk and with plenty of support!
Who is it for?
- You are a student or staff member of the University of Bremen
- You have an idea (business, social, NGO, etc.)
- Your project is in an early stage (not yet founded)
- You can participate in the online workshops
- You are available for the project week in Madrid in June 2026
Program
Online Workshops | February – May 2026
- Creativity – Design Thinking: February 11 / Mentoring session: February 18
- Business Model Definition: February 25 / Mentoring session: March 4
- Pitch: March 18 / Mentoring session: March 25
- Prototype MVP: April 15 / Mentoring session: May 6
- Finance: May 13 / Mentoring session: May 20
Project Week | June 1–5
- Open innovation, networking, and feedback
- Leadership
- Start-up financing / investors
- Legal aspects (company formation, protection)
Framework Conditions
- Total duration: 6 months, approx. 75 working hours (synchronous online sessions, on-site activities, and asynchronous individual or team work; equivalent to 3 ECTS)
- Erasmus+ funding available for students traveling to Madrid for the project week
Application
⏩ Apply by January 23 via the YUFE Virtual Campus
Selected projects will be announced on January 27.
YUFE
YUFE is an alliance of ten European universities working together to create a new model of a “European University” — international, interdisciplinary, and open to students, researchers, and staff. The goal is to offer students and staff diverse learning and development opportunities across countries and institutions. The focus lies on the European dimension, mobility, connecting academia with society, and jointly shaping the future of Europe.
