The Trinational KTUR Summer School provides first-hand insights into the dynamic world of entrepreneurs. Over the course of a week, the big questions of any business are examined from a practical perspective: What is my business model? How do I make money? Where does the funding come from? How can I attract enough customers? Am I suitable as an entrepreneur? What is a business plan? How do I attract and motivate employees?
Furthermore, do you enjoy meeting students from Germany and France and extend your network in the Upper Rhine Region? Then this Summer School is for you. It is a collaboration across borders between University of Strasbourg, University of Freiburg and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. The class will compromise of students from all three countries and we will have inputs from lecturers and founders from the different universities.
The sessions are interactive and each day there is time to apply the tools and techniques to business ideas from the class in interdisciplinary teams.
The EU project Knowledge Transfer Upper Rhine (KTUR), launched in the fall of 2019, marked the start of systematic cooperation among Upper Rhine universities, research institutions, trade associations, and companies in the field of knowledge and technology transfer.
Programme
Students at all levels in the Upper Rhine region, as well as international students; especially students with little knowledge of business administration.
Students who are considering setting up their own company in the future.
Students who want to understand what it means to start and run a business. It is not necessary to already have a business idea or entrepreneurial activities. Interest in the topic is crucial.
The Summer School is limited to 40 participants.
Monday 25 August until Friday 29 August 2025. The five days will be divided between University of Freiburg (Germany) for Monday/Tuesday, FHNW Campus Basel (Switzerland) for Wednesday/Thursday and University of Strasbourg (France) for Friday.
The students:
recognize different business models and assess their potential for success.
reflect on the extent to which they are suitable as entrepreneurs.
distinguish between different methods of attracting customers.
explain the different ways in which businesses make money.
use different methods to develop and test business ideas.
are aware of the important legal issues involved in starting a business.
present ideas in a convincing manner.
Morning, 9.00 – 12.00
Afternoon, 13.15-17.00
Monday, 25 Aug
FREIBURG
Introduction / Ideation / Business Model
Idea generation with different creativity techniques
dSelection and development of promising ideas
Business model development
Selection of ideas to be worked on during the week and development of the business model (7-key model)
Tuesday, 26 Aug
FREIBURG
Pitching
How do I present an idea convincingly?
Market analysis
5 forces
Competition analysis
Market segmentation
Persona
Wednesday, 27 Aug
BASEL
Market entry
How do I reach my customers?
Marketing strategy
Offline / Online / Sales
Pricing
Minimal Viable Product MVP
How can I test in a quick and cheap way, whether my business idea is viable?
How can I constantly improve?
Thursday, 28 Aug
BASEL
Finances and Funding
How will my idea work out financially?
How much capital do I need?
How do I get the required capital?
Me as an entrepreneur and my team
What makes a founder?
What do I need to consider for my co-founding team?
How do I recruit the right employees?
Friday, 29 Aug
STRASBOURG
Pitches
Final presentations of the business ideas
Ecosystem and Closing
Feedbacks to the groups
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and offerings in the Upper Rhine region by the different universities
Awards and Closing
Different lecturers and entrepreneurs from France, Germany and Switzerland.
Organisational details
Please apply with your CV and a short summary of why you want to be part of the Trinational KTUR Summer School. The deadline for registration is 30 May 2025. The number of places is limited. You will hear of us latest by early June 2025, whether your application was successful.
The Summer School gives 2 ECTS. Active participation during the whole week is required to receive the credits. Please contact your university regarding the recognition.
There is no additional tuition fee for the participating students.
