Guide Teams, Learn Coaching
As a Venture Guide, you gain real coaching experience: You guide teams through Innovation Sprints, hackathons, and startup programs, develop your own style through reflection and practice, and receive a certificate as a trained Entrepreneurship Coach at the end.
| For whom | Students, researchers, and doctoral candidates |
|---|---|
| Credits | 6 ECTS for TUM students (accreditation depends on your study program) |
| Period | October 6, 2026 – March 31, 2027 |
| Workload | At least 60 coaching hours and three mandatory dates |
| Where | On site in Garching and Munich, some coaching sessions online |
| Seats | 20 |
| Cost | Free of charge |
| Language | English |
Voices From the Community
What surprised me most about being a Venture Guide: the most valuable thing I could offer wasn’t answers – it was asking the right questions.
Schedule for Winter Semester 2026/27
- The Kick-off Days, Midterm, and Final Ceremony are mandatory.
- In between, you choose your own coaching opportunities and complete at least 60 hours across the semester. After each one, you write a short reflection for your coaching journal.
- Block your calendar for the Innovation Sprint from November 5 to 11, 2026. It’s the key coaching opportunity in the program.
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October 6–7, 2026
Kick-off Days (mandatory, overnight stay included): fundamentals of facilitation and coaching, preparation for the Innovation Sprint
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October 26, 2026 – March 27, 2027
Coaching Hours (flexible): at least 60 hours in Innovation Sprints, hackathons, team workshops, and startup programs
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November 5–11, 2026
Innovation Sprint (strongly recommended)
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December 9–10, 2026
Midterm (mandatory): one full day in Garching, one half day from 9 am to 1 pm
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March 31, 2027
Final Ceremony (mandatory), 3–7 pm: presentation of your key learnings and certificate handover
Is the Venture Guide Right for You?
| Good fit if … | Not the right fit if … |
|---|---|
| you have practical and theoretical experience with entrepreneurial methods, such as design thinking, lean startup, or agile methods | you have little experience with entrepreneurship |
| you enjoy guiding and working with teams | you’re looking for a purely online or theoretical course |
| you can commit to the fixed program dates and 60 coaching hours across the semester | you can’t attend the fixed program dates |
| you’re uncomfortable presenting to or working with entrepreneurial teams |
By the End of the Program, You Can
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facilitate team sessions that help teams move from confusion to clarity, without taking over their decision-making
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ask powerful questions that challenge assumptions and push teams to think more critically about their idea
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give constructive feedback that is honest, actionable, and motivating, even when an idea has clear weaknesses
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read group dynamics and adapt your style to different teams, personalities, and stages of conflict or motivation
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apply core methods such as customer discovery, business model design, and prototyping well enough to guide others through them
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balance support and challenge: know when to step in and when to let teams learn from their own mistakes
Application
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.
- There are 20 seats. We select based on motivation and relevant experience.
- To apply, you need your CV and a three-minute video about your motivation, previous projects, and relevant experience. No need to be polished, just genuine.
- Upload both with the application form. After the deadline, we review all applications and get back to you with all details about the Kick-off Days.
ECTS: TUM students receive 6 ECTS; accreditation depends on the study program. Participation is free of charge.
Questions About the Venture Guide?
Contact the Venture Guide team: venture-guide@unternehmertum.de.
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Bianca Hartmann
Educator
FAQs
Who Can Participate?
The program is open to students, researchers, and doctoral candidates. TUM students receive ECTS. High intrinsic motivation and first experience with Innovation Sprints, hackathons, or bootcamps are required.
Do I Need Prior Coaching Experience?
Not necessarily, but you should have theoretical and practical experience with innovation methods such as design thinking, lean startup, or prototyping. A proactive mindset and strong communication skills are essential too.
How Flexible Is the Program?
Very flexible. In addition to the mandatory dates, you choose your own coaching opportunities to fit your schedule and interests. Think of it as working like a freelancer.
What Are Coaching Opportunities?
Real workshops, sprints, and team formats where you support groups as a coach, for example the Innovation Sprint, hackathons at the MakerSpace, team workshops, startup coaching, or international programs such as the Winter or Summer School.
How Is the Program Graded?
Instead of an exam, you submit a coaching journal with a short reflection after each opportunity. At the Final Ceremony, you also present your key learning and a critical reflection on your coaching journey. Together, the journal and the presentation make up your grade.
What Is the MakerSpace Scholarship?
You receive free access to the MakerSpace for one semester, including one mandatory course (Laser Cutter, Course A) and one elective course (Course B). This helps you better support teams working on physical prototypes. You register for the scholarship yourself on the MakerSpace GmbH website.
Can I Complete the Program Online?
No. The Kick-off, Midterm, and Final Ceremony take place in person. However, several coaching opportunities are offered online, so you can still take part even if you’re not always in Munich.
Can I Receive ECTS If I’ve Already Completed ELAB?
No. If you have already earned credits for the “Technology Entrepreneurship Lab,” you are not eligible for credits for the Venture Guide.