AWAKE Kick-off Brings Together Ideas, Teams, and Entrepreneurial Spirit

AWAKE is designed as an interdisciplinary course where students develop startup ideas collaboratively within a short time frame. Participants from a wide range of academic backgrounds come together to form teams, identify relevant challenges, and begin shaping innovative solutions. The course emphasizes experimentation, direct exchange, and a "learning-by-doing" approach.

From the very beginning, the session created a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Students actively connected with one another, teams began to form, and ideas emerged quickly. The open and informal setting encouraged participants to contribute, collaborate, and take initiative early on - capturing the core spirit of the AWAKE program.

A highlight of the session was the input from Andy Clifton, who shared insights from his own entrepreneurial journey. His perspective brought a practical dimension to the discussion and gave students a sense of how ideas can evolve beyond the classroom into real ventures. The relaxed setting at Café frei[raum], supported by refreshments, further encouraged open exchange and interaction among participants.

The session also marked a new addition to the teaching team, as Saeedeh Ghaffarian joined AWAKE as a lecturer for the first time. Reflecting on the experience, she described the kick-off as an engaging starting point: "For me, it was especially interesting to see how quickly the group came together. Within a short time, students moved from initial conversations to forming teams and shaping first ideas. Experiencing this dynamic as a lecturer for the first time made the session particularly memorable."

With a strong start to the semester, the focus now moves toward further developing and refining the ideas generated during the kick-off. Over the coming weeks, participants will continue working in their teams, applying entrepreneurial tools and methods to turn initial concepts into more concrete outcomes.

A big thank you also to our partners who have supported us during this time: AI Xpress, the coaches from our transfer center TRACES and the TTI GmbH, and to everyone involved with AWAKE during this time #AndyHannahAndOtherSurpriseGuests