The TUM Entrepreneurial Masterclass has been awarded the MöglichMacher – Bavarian Higher Education Entrepreneurship Award 2026, receiving first prize in the university category and a prize of €15,000.
Through this award, the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts and the vbw – Association of Bavarian Business, together with HOCHSPRUNG, BayZiel, and ProfiLehrePlus, recognize outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship education and startup support at Bavarian higher education institutions. This year, 27 applications from across Bavaria were evaluated by a jury of representatives from academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem. The award ceremony took place on 14 July 2026 at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).
The TUM Entrepreneurial Masterclass is a joint excellence program of the Technical University of Munich and UnternehmerTUM. The program enables outstanding master’s students to combine their thesis work with entrepreneurial ventures, the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, or solutions to pressing societal challenges. Through structured supervision, coaching, and access to a strong network, participants develop an entrepreneurial mindset and create meaningful impact for society and the economy.
A unique feature of the program is the integration of academic research and entrepreneurial practice. Students use their master’s thesis to address challenges relevant to startups, explore ways to strengthen entrepreneurship support, or develop solutions with real-world impact. To date, participants have launched more than 150 venture projects, and around 80 startups have emerged from the program.
The program is led by the academic directors Prof. Anne Tryba, Prof. Holger Patzelt, and Prof. Helmut Schönenberger. Its success is supported by an outstanding project management team consisting of Merve Emir, Tim Bernhard, Justus Dickel, and David Nawrath.
This recognition highlights TUM’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent and empowering students to transform innovative ideas into solutions that generate lasting societal and economic value. It also reflects the contribution of TUM School of Management faculty to advancing entrepreneurship education and innovation at TUM.
Copyright: HOCHSPRUNG / Fotograf Klaus D. Wolf
