Born Global Startup Festival 2025

On June 17, 2025, the Born Global Startup Festival returned to Leipzig with its largest edition to date — bringing together 289 participants from 77 countries to celebrate international entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration.

Hosted by the Start-up Initiative SMILE and the SEPT Competence Center at Leipzig University, the festival provided a platform for aspiring and active international founders in Germany to connect, learn, and grow.

The event was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Utz Dornberger, Director of the SEPT Competence Center, who emphasized the growing importance of supporting international founders and their integration into Germany’s entrepreneurial landscape.

The program featured impactful insights from three international founders based in Leipzig and closely connected to Leipzig University through research or alumni networks:

• Emma Haley (Co-founder of Megunto)
  Megunto is developing a platform that realistically simulates oral exams and offers personalized learning tailored to individual needs and institutional branding.
• Felipe Engelberger (Co-founder of AI-Driven Therapeutics)
  AI-Driven Therapeutics uses artificial intelligence to accelerate protein design and transform the drug discovery process.
• Washington Logroño (Co-founder of Pacifico Biolabs)
  Pacífico Biolabs is creating sustainable, fungi-based meat alternatives that integrate seamlessly into existing food systems.

In an inspiring panel discussion with Dr. Gunnar Kaßberg, CEO of the SEPT Competence Center at Leipzig University, the three panel guests generously shared their entrepreneurial experiences and key advices to the new generation of entrepreneurs.

The festival was honored by the presence of distinguished guests from Kenya:

• Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Minister for Cooperatives and MSMEs
• Stella Mokaya Orina, Kenyan Ambassador to Germany

Their visit highlighted the growing global interest in Germany's startup support ecosystem and international cooperation opportunities with Kenya.

Participants also took part in a set of parallel sessions, tailored to the needs of early-stage founders:

• Session 1. Beyond the Research Contract: Future Funding – Hacks, Strategies & New Horizons
  with Christian Scheffler (Start-up Initiative SMILE) and Maiia Deutschmann (Projektträger Jülich, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH – GTI)
  A deep dive into post-research funding pathways and practical strategies for securing startup support in Germany.
• Session 2. Business Idea Quick Validation & Pitch Training
  with Norhan Othman (Co-Founder & Head of Partnerships – Startup Migrants UG)
  Covered techniques to help participants test their ideas with potential customers and validate their concepts early on.
• Session 3. Using AI for Market Research
  with Sebastian Benad (Management & Cultural Studies – Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz)
  Introduced AI-driven approaches to identifying market trends, analyzing competitors, and understanding target groups.

Beyond the formal program, participants also had the chance to explore and experience the Process Living Lab from SMILE, got inspired by the International Founders Wall, discovered personal stories through the EntreAction Video Stories, and enjoyed a live art performance by Badania - SKIN Design Studio.

To conclude the formal program, Jazmín Ponce Gómez (International Startup Office, Start-up Initiative SMILE) presented the many opportunities available for international talents looking to launch their businesses in Leipzig — from integration coaching support to training, Born Global Meetups and network-building activities. 

The day ended with a sunny summer celebration, featuring networking games and informal exchange — sparking conversations and connections that will continue well beyond the event.

Thank You to Everyone Involved!

A heartfelt thank-you to all the participants, speakers, and workshop leaders — and especially to the SMILE organizing team.

More than just a gathering, the Born Global Startup Festival 2025 sparked new connections, empowered international talent, and built a stronger startup community in Leipzig!

Free admission to the event was made possible through the co-financing of SMILE by the European Union and the Free State of Saxony.

The Born Global Startup Festival is an annual event that supports "Born Globals", international students, graduates or researchers from Leipzig University and other research and educations institutions in Leipzig. The festival combines inspiring keynotes, workshops, expert panelists that give insights to startup ecosystem in Germany and beyond horizon.