"startup in school" brings entrepreneurship into Germany's classrooms

When people talk about the economy, they often talk about interest rates, the shortage of skilled workers or start-ups in the tech sector. But the founders of tomorrow are sitting in German classrooms today and this is exactly where the new educational project "startup in school" comes in.

The Young Founders Network (YFN) and Gründungsmagnet e. V. are launching a nationwide educational program as part of Startup Week 2025 (17-23 November) that brings entrepreneurship directly into the classroom. The aim is to introduce pupils to the topic of start-ups in a playful way, with real founders from the field.

From the idea to the elevator pitch

Over 100 schools throughout Germany are taking part in the project. In one double lesson each, pupils learn how ideas are created, how business models work and how to give an elevator pitch in 60 seconds. They are accompanied by volunteer entrepreneurs from the start-up scene. These include well-known names such as Daniel Schmitt-Haverkamp (Everdrop), Darius Göttert (Göttert Ventures), Pheline Huber (WHO:IN) and Leon Pelikan (Political X Change).

We want to bring entrepreneurship to where curiosity begins: to schools. Starting a business is not an elite decision, but an attitude - recognizing problems, taking responsibility, creating solutions.

Saskia Teufel, founder of the initiative

Education meets start-up spirit

The project is organized on a voluntary basis and coordinated by a team of ten, who are responsible for nationwide implementation, partner contacts and quality assurance. In the long term, "startup in school" aims to help anchor entrepreneurial thinking as an integral part of school education. Interested schools, partner institutions and supporters can apply until October 31, 2025 via www.startupinschool.de for more information and to register. Despite our journalistic distance, as a startup medium we are very happy to support such causes with our reporting.