Campus Founders is the startup and co-innovation hub based in Heilbronn. Its programs combine hands-on experience, cutting-edge methods, financial startup support, a strong mentor network, and international connections. Designed to support all phases of the entrepreneurial journey – from initial idea generation and validating the problem-solution fit to achieving product-market fit and scaling sustainably – Campus Founders empowers early-stage startups to accelerate their progress and drive international growth.
As a platform, Campus Founders unites students, researchers, founders, investors, and established companies to promote meaningful collaboration and co-innovation. Its vibrant community of over 1,300 members actively participates in over 50+ events and networking formats per year. Campus Founders also supports female founders through dedicated exchange and mentoring initiatives.
As part of the RISE Europe network – linking 20 leading startup ecosystems across 14 countries – Campus Founders builds vital bridges to international markets and expertise. The research- and startup-intensive locations Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Ulm, and Heilbronn collaborate within the NXTGN Startup Factory and have just recently been ranked #13 of the „Leading European Start-up Hubs 2026“ by the Financial Times and Sifted.