How do you make the transition from school or university to self-employment? This question is the focus of the Entrepreneurship Mini-Conference Startklar, which will take place on Friday, 23 January 2026, from 4 to 7.30 pm in the SIZ conference room at Prüferstraße 2 in Freiberg.
The aim is to inspire young people to think entrepreneurially at an early stage and to give them realistic insights into the start-up process. In short presentations, young founders talk openly about their experiences, challenges and lessons learnt and show how creative ideas can be turned into successful start-up stories. Conference language is German.
The Startklar conference is aimed at students, graduates and pupils from grammar schools and secondary schools from year 9 onwards who are interested in the topic of entrepreneurship. Regardless of whether they already have a concrete idea or are initially looking for guidance, the event offers inspiration, practical ideas and motivation for their own path. The event is organised by SAXEED, the start-up network of TU Bergakademie Freiberg, in cooperation with the Young Founders Network.
Founders share their experiences
The speakers include young entrepreneurs with very different start-up paths. Sophia Sowa, founder of the start-up Qlug, talks about how she founded her company directly after graduating from high school and alongside her studies. Her learning app transforms complex learning content into podcasts and accompanies learners around the clock as a digital learning buddy.
Vincent Stepputat, graduate of TU Bergakademie Freiberg and founder of Plasmotion GmbH, provides insights into his start-up after graduating. The tech startup combines electrochemistry and plasma physics and enables sustainable and precise finishing of metal components.
The programme will be complemented by short pitches from players from the start-up ecosystem in Saxony, who will show what support is available from the initial idea to setting up a company.
Another highlight is the beverage panel Tradition meets trend, where Holger Scheich from Freiberger Brauhaus and Lisa Erschow from Fake Sober will present different perspectives on innovation and entrepreneurship. Degree will be an open networking session with pizza and drinks, offering space for exchange and new contacts.
Organised by
Young Founders Network e.V.
The Young Founders Network is aimed at founders up to the age of 25 who are interested in starting their own business and offers insights into the world of entrepreneurship at an early stage. Through events, workshops and dialogue with young founders, the network encourages them to further develop their own ideas and offers support for their first start-up.
SAXEED at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg
As a central institution at the Prorectorate for Research, International Affairs and Transfer, SAXEED is a key player in start-up support at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. SAXEED sensitises and motivates students, graduates and university staff to the idea of starting their own business. Through the wide range of networking and teaching events, founders are qualified and supported by experienced start-up advisors from the evaluation of the business idea through the development of the business model to the founding of their own start-up. SAXEED is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the Free State of Saxony, the participating universities and the BMWE.
