Student Initiatives
At HPI Engine, everything begins with the confidence to act, to explore ideas, lead projects, and create real impact. Get to know our student-driven initiatives that are a vital part of this journey.
Startups
Discover the success stories behind our startups and meet the inspiring people who turned bold ideas into real-world impact.
Community & Network
Our HPI Engine Community unites all stakeholders essential to creating unique value for every member of the ecosystem. Together, we drive innovation and shape the future of entrepreneurship.
Infrastructure
The HPI Engine offers state-of-the-art infrastructure, from modern workspaces and advanced IT tools to the unique HPI Maker Universe, grants, and scholarships. We want to empower tech innovators to build, test, and grow their ideas in a supportive, professional environment.
At HPI Engine, everything begins with the confidence to act — to explore ideas, lead projects, and create real impact. Student-driven initiatives are a vital part of this journey, reflecting a mindset shaped by curiosity, responsibility, and the drive to move things forward. They foster proactive leadership and create space for bold ideas to grow.
That’s why HPI Engine actively supports students and alumni who take initiative — providing the guidance, resources, and environment to turn action into lasting impact.
Do you have a business idea you want to turn into a startup? Find our more about our programs for founders
Our Founder Programs0
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Startups founded within our ecosystem with connections to HPI or HPI d-school
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Founders from our ecosystem, i.e. with connections to HPI or the HPI d-school
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Venture capital raised by founders connected to our ecosystem
At HPI Engine, we foster a vibrant community of tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and mentors dedicated to building impactful startups. Our community includes students, alums, startup founders, mentors, advisors, venture capitalists, business angels, industry partners, academic collaborators, and more.Together, we are committed to creating scalable solutions that drive societal and economic impact, working in close collaboration to shape the future of tech-driven innovation.
Our entrepreneurship ecosystem thrives on the expertise and dedication of exceptional mentors and speakers, who play an integral role in shaping the education and empowerment of aspiring founders and startups. Carefully selected for their expertise across diverse fields and their understanding of the unique challenges faced by emerging entrepreneurs, they provide invaluable guidance and inspiration, fostering innovation and growth.We are always eager to welcome passionate and committed founders, industry leaders, and practitioners to join our network, supporting us in empowering the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and driving transformative change in the industry.Interested to make a difference?
Get in touch!Early-stage venture capital is crucial for scaling tech startups. At HPI Engine, we maintain a strong network of business angels and venture capitalists who support our founders' entrepreneurial journey. We frequently invite VCs to participate as speakers, mentors, and panelists in our programs, ensuring that founders gain invaluable insights and access to funding opportunities.For example, HPI Ventures, one of the highly dedicated investors within the HPI Engine ecosystem, specializes in empowering high-potential startups with tailored support. Focused on driving innovation, HPI Ventures invests inexceptional teams poised to build category-leading companies through groundbreaking technology.
At HPI Engine, we collaborate closely with industry partners to bring real-world insights and opportunities to our students, founders, startups, and community. These partnerships include early industry and customer valuation interviews, pilot projects, joint events, research projects, and expert speakers. By working with leading companies, we provide students, participants, and entrepreneurs with the network and resources they need to scale their businesses and create impactful, innovative solutions
Entrepreneurship flourishes through an intense exchange of ideas and collaboration with other ecosystems and institutions. At HPI Engine, we actively engage with global academic and innovation hubs, fostering partnerships across programs, co-founder exchanges, and more.
Our institutional partners include world-renowned institutions such as Unternehmer TUM, Campus Founders, WHU, ESMT, RWTH, University of St. Gallen (HSG), MIT, and many more.
As a proud member of the "ELIAS - European Lighthouse of AI for Sustainability" consortium, we connect with leading European AI researchers and innovators, driving forward initiatives that transform cutting-edge AI research into scalable entrepreneurial ventures. This collaboration enriches our community, providing direct access to pioneering AI advancements and a network of top-tier tech talent across Europe.
At HPI Engine, we offer fully equipped, modern workspaces designed to support tech innovators, startup founders, and program participants as they turn ideas into successful ventures. Our workspaces foster creativity, collaboration, and growth, providing an inspiring environment for all stages of the entrepreneurial journey.
Key Features
HPI Engine workspaces create a dynamic, collaborative, and modern environment where innovators can thrive, learn, and build impactful startups.
Co-Working Spaces for Founders and Startups
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At HPI Engine, our co-working spaces are built to spark innovation, foster collaboration, and empower the next generation of founders. With flexible open-plan areas, cutting-edge technology, and a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, we provide the perfect environment for creativity and growth. We focus on early-stage startups, offering startup-friendly pricing, tailored support, and the option to register their company seat at our location.
Collaboration Zones
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Ideal for brainstorming and group discussions, these zones feature whiteboards and multimedia tools to facilitate ideation and team collaboration.
Community Spaces
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Our community spaces are designed for networking, relaxation, and socializing. They provide areas for gaming, chilling, and hosting events. Whether grabbing coffee, enjoying lunch, or taking part in informal discussions, these spaces foster a sense of community and exchange, essential for entrepreneurial growth.
Event and Pitch Training Spaces
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These spaces are equipped with high-end audiovisual systems, perfect for hosting events, workshops, or pitch training. Founders can practice their pitches in a realistic setting, preparing for investor meetings and demo days.
Meeting Rooms
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Private, well-equipped rooms are available for focused meetings with mentors, investors, or strategic planning sessions.
At HPI Engine, we provide a robust suite of tools and IT infrastructure to empower founders on their entrepreneurial journey. Our tool offerings are designed to help startups move faster and smarter, addressing key aspects of building successful companies and securing venture capital.
Perks for Founders
At HPI Engine, our IT infrastructure and tools provide the technical backbone needed to accelerate the entrepreneurial process and enhance the success of every venture.
AI-Powered Tools for Founders
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One of our core offerings is a set of AI-driven tools specifically tailored to the needs of tech founders. These tools leverage data to provide valuable insights, helping founders make informed decisions quickly. From business modeling and market analysis to investor readiness, these tools streamline the startup journey, ensuring key milestones are achieved efficiently and effectively.
AWS Credits
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Founders can take advantage of Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits, offering scalable cloud computing solutions that help startups reduce infrastructure costs while supporting rapid growth.
Data Center Access
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We provide secure access to our state-of-the-art data center, giving startups the computing power they need to run complex algorithms, host applications, and manage large datasets.
Software Licenses
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We offer a range of selected software licenses, including productivity and development tools, giving startups access to essential resources without the heavy upfront costs.
The HPI Maker Universe is a state-of-the-art maker environment designed to empower tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and students to bring their ideas to life. It serves as a hands-on environment where creativity, prototyping, and experimentation meet cutting-edge technology. The Maker Universe is a vital part of the HPI Engine ecosystem, offering everything from advanced machinery to collaborative workspaces, providing the perfect environment for turning concepts into functional prototypes.
Whether you're a student, startup founder, or researcher, the HPI Maker Universe equips you with the tools and space to innovate and create groundbreaking solutions.
Features
Workshops Regular sessions on topics from electronics to AI-driven media development.
Prototyping Expertise Build, test, and iterate prototypes quickly using a range of tools.
CollaborationWork alongside fellow innovators, learning from experts in various fields.
Maker Studio (Electronics & Printers)
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This studio is equipped with 3D printers, soldering stations, and electronics tools, enabling users to create electronic components and physical prototypes. From PCB design to IoT devices, this space is perfect for engineers and innovators looking to prototype hardware solutions.
Media Studio (Filming & AI)
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The Media Studio provides tools for multimedia production, including high-end cameras, green screens, and video editing software. Innovators can film product demos, develop AI-driven media applications, and create visual content to enhance their startup branding and storytelling.
Researcher Studio (UX & Superposition)
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Tailored for advanced research and UX design, this studio offers cutting-edge tools for studying user interactions and developing user-centered solutions. It includes high-performance computing resources for machine learning, data visualization, and UX testing, ensuring research projects are grounded in real-world usability.
Small Maker Studio (Laser Cutter)
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Focused on precision design and rapid prototyping, this studio offers laser cutting equipment ideal for working with materials like acrylic, wood, and metal. Users can create high-quality product prototypes, custom parts, and detailed models for tech-driven startups or research projects.
At HPI Engine, financial responsibility is a core part of the entrepreneurial journey, and we actively support students in gaining this experience. Through our various grants and program budget fundings, we provide participants with the opportunity to manage real budgets—just as entrepreneurs would in the startup world.
Each of our entrepreneurship programs includes program-specific budgets that participants can use to fund their projects. This hands-on experience encourages students to make strategic financial decisions, fostering entrepreneurial thinking and action. Whether it's covering prototyping costs or acquiring essential resources, students learn to allocate funds effectively, preparing them for real-world financial challenges.Additionally, we offer travel grants to support students attending external events, workshops, or training programs outside of Potsdam. This ensures that they can take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities across the globe without worrying about financial barriers.
Our goal is not just to fund projects but to ensure that students develop a sense of financial responsibility, empowering them to think and act like entrepreneurs as they move through our programs.