1.Please introduce yourself and your current job.
Hi, my name is Eric Heintze and I lead the project "Let US start" at the University of Stuttgart, which is supported by the Vector Foundation. The goal is to revive the entrepreneurial spirit at the University of Stuttgart and to lay the foundations for a new era of entrepreneurship.
2. How did you get involved in entrepreneurship?
I studied physics at the University of Stuttgart and did my doctorate in the field of quantum technology. During my studies, one of my passions was the sport of lacrosse, for which I was active at all levels as a Bundesliga player, national player and Bundesliga coach. This allowed me to meet countless people and look far beyond the scope of my studies.
After completing my doctorate, I too was faced with the decision of whether I really wanted to join one of the big companies in the region. Knowing that this would be a decision for the next 40 years, I wanted to try something else. Through Lacrosse, I met startup founders who convinced me that founding was the right way to move forward the fastest and offered the greatest opportunities. And they were right: For me as a physicist from the lab and a coach on the lacrosse field, a world opened up with completely new topics, motivated and inspiring people, and unimagined opportunities. With an EXIST application, we founded our company "Coral Innovation", with which we offer technology scouting for companies using artificial intelligence and web crawlers. This allows us to find more technologies from startups, innovative companies and from research and saves companies a lot of time and effort.
3. What tip would you give to students who are enthusiastic about founding a company, who are currently thinking about founding a company or who have already taken the first steps towards self-employment?
My tip for all of you out there who want to found or aren't sure if it's something for you: Just try it out, get started today, because everything you learn here will help you to do it better. The knowledge is appreciated everywhere and enables you to take your future into your own hands. Who founds won't stop learning
and will therefore come very far. So take advantage of the numerous formats and offers that are available today at the University of Stuttgart and in the region and just get started. Your ideas are too valuable to wait for others to implement them. Just talk to us, no matter how far along you are with your ideas.
Contact
Melanie Minderjahn
Research Associate, PR Manager