Innovation in Five Days
The best ideas come when different perspectives meet. That’s why the Innovation Sprint is open to every student, whether you study engineering, art, medicine, or anything in between. Over five intensive days, you go through the full design thinking process: You explore a problem through interviews, generate ideas, build prototypes, and pitch your solution.
| For whom | Students from all fields and levels |
|---|---|
| Credits | ECTS for TUM students (“Innovation Sprint” or “Innovation Facilitator” exam) |
| Period | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| When | Five workshop days, each 9 am–6 pm |
| Where | On site in Munich or Straubing |
| Language | English |
A Glimpse of the Sprint
Watch the review of the Innovation Sprint in winter semester 2025/26.
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Schedule for Winter Semester 2026/27
- All dates are mandatory.
- The five workshop days take place on site, each from 9 am to 6 pm with a lunch break from 12 to 1 pm, excluding weekends.
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October 28, 2026
Online Lecture via Moodle, 10 am–12 pm (mandatory for Innovation Facilitator participants)
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November 5–11, 2026
Innovation Sprint Campus Munich
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November 23–27, 2026
Innovation Sprint Campus Straubing
Is the Sprint Right for You?
| Good fit if … | Not the right fit if … |
|---|---|
| you enjoy hands-on experiences and fast-paced environments | you want to work on your own startup idea |
| you enjoy working in teams with people from different backgrounds | you can’t attend the full program |
| you can commit to the fixed program dates without exception | you only want to work with people you already know |
By the End of the Sprint, You Can
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apply the design thinking process from problem exploration to prototyping and testing
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use creativity and structured ideation methods to generate ideas
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validate ideas and assumptions through user research, experimentation, and prototyping
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work in interdisciplinary teams on a real-world challenge and navigate uncertainty
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pitch your idea with confidence
Application
Innovation Sprint Munich: Applications for winter semester 2026/27 are closed. Join our waiting list to be the first to know when applications for summer semester 2027 open.
Innovation Sprint Straubing: You can still apply for winter semester 2026/27 until November 19, 2026. Apply for Straubing
- The Sprint is open to all students. Because seats are limited, we select participants to ensure interdisciplinary and diverse teams.
- Selected students are notified by email in the weeks after the application deadline and must confirm their seat. If confirmation is not received by the stated date, the seat goes to the next person on the waiting list.
- Applications are pre-screened with the support of AI-based tools. All application data is anonymized beforehand, and the AI only evaluates the structured information from the form. The Innovation Sprint team reviews and validates all selections.
- All dates are mandatory. If you cannot fully participate, please apply again next semester.
ECTS: TUM students who want to earn ECTS also register on TUMonline for the “Innovation Sprint” exam (MGT001348) or the “Innovation Facilitator” exam (MGT001347), starting November 15. Please check with your program coordinator which exam applies to you.
Questions About the Innovation Sprint?
Contact the Innovation Sprint team: innovationsprint@unternehmertum.de
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Yolanda Marín Ventura
Program Manager
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Selin Yilmaz
Educator
Partners
This project is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. Industry partners also contribute real-world challenges to the Sprint.
Supporting Partners
FAQs
Can I Take Part Remotely?
No, the Sprint takes place on site.
I Can’t Attend One or Two Days – Is That a Problem?
Yes. You have to attend the whole week.
TUM Students: Do I Have to Register for a Course on TUMonline?
No, you only register for the exam. Please check with your program coordinator which exam applies to you: Innovation Sprint or Innovation Facilitator.
TUM Students: Why Am I Not Automatically Registered on Moodle?
You self-enroll on Moodle using the link we share on Slack after acceptance.
Management and Technology Master’s: Can I Take Part?
Yes. To earn ECTS, register for the “Innovation Facilitator” exam. Bachelor’s students register for the “Innovation Sprint” exam.
Where Can I Find Updates and Ask Questions?
In TUMtutor on Moodle or in your Sprint’s Slack channel.
Can I Take Part With My Friends?
Teams are assigned randomly, so it is highly unlikely that you will work together. This way, you learn more about teamwork.
Will I Get a Certificate of Attendance?
Yes, every participant receives a certificate at the end.
What Does the Exam Look Like?
It consists of two parts: half from the final pitch in the Sprint and half from a reflection paper after the Sprint. Details are in the exam description on TUMonline.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
The Sprint runs from 9 am to 6 pm every day with a one-hour lunch break, excluding weekends.
How Do I Know I’ve Been Accepted?
If you’ve received our confirmation email, you’ve been accepted. Please click the link in the email to secure your seat.