Taking Initiative: How two Student Organizations Support Future Entrepreneurs

“I’ll never forget the moment I wandered through the conference in the evening thinking to myself, this is unbelievable—we actually pulled this off!” recalls Luis Limper, reflecting on the April 2024 edition of Q-Summit. Since its launch in 2017, the two-day event, hosted once a year by the Mannheim student organization of the same name, has grown into Germany’s largest student-organized start-up conference. In 2025, it will return once again—this time under Limper’s leadership, who has served as Q-Summit chairman since May 2024.

For two days, the east wing of the Schloss becomes a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. A long carpet and a sea of blue-and-white balloons welcome over 1,400 attendees at the entrance, while inside, lecture halls and seminar rooms host talks, panel discussions, and workshops. Speed-dating sessions connect companies with potential employees. “The heart of the event is the Innovillage in the Schneckenhof courtyard,” Limper points out. “It features multiple tents, providing start-ups with the opportunity to showcase their ideas and network with participants between sessions.”

The goal of the conference is “to create a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs not just from Mannheim, but from all across Germany and Europe,” says Limper, a 20-year-old business student. But Q-Summit isn’t just for future founders. “Even those who don’t plan to start their own business can use the conference to find internships at existing start-ups,” he adds.

A launchpad for start-up talent

For Limper, one of the most exciting moments of the conference is the Pitch Battle, held at the end of the second day. In this competition, early-stage entrepreneurs present their start-up ideas to a jury, with the best concept receiving a cash prize. “One of the winners in 2021 was the founder of NeoTaste, a restaurant app that has since established itself across Germany,” Limper recalls.

Organizing the conference is a year-round effort. Alongside Limper, a team of 110 student members ensures that everything runs smoothly. “Q-Summit is obviously our main event, but throughout the year, we also host several lead-up events,” he explains. These include the Road2Q series, which gives attendees a preview of what to expect at the conference in April. In addition, the SpeaQ! podcast, launched in 2020, features discussions with founders and investors on current start-up trends. “Moreover, we regularly travel to start-up hubs like Berlin, Munich, and Barcelona to explore different ecosystems and become more knowledgeable ourselves.”

More than 2,000 members

Like Limper, Simon Hipp took over as chairman of his organization in May 2024. As the head of thinc!, a student-led start-up organization, he continues a 20-year tradition of supporting Mannheim students in launching their own businesses. “The organization has grown significantly over the past four years,” Hipp says. Today, thinc! boasts over 2,000 members, with some 100 core team members managing events and member engagement.

One of thinc!’s most popular offerings is Founder Talks, where entrepreneurs first share their experiences in a structured interview and then take questions from the audience. “We host these almost every week,” says Hipp, a 20-year-old business student. “Many of our guests are Mannheim alumni. Recently, we had Christian Bertermann, founder of the online platform Auto1, speak at one of our sessions.” In addition to weekly talks, thinc! organizes workshops, start-up trips to key hubs across Germany and beyond, and its own mentoring program.

What is more, thinc! runs its two-week start-up incubator program once a year, the thincubator. Designed to provide young people with intensive hands-on support, the program includes workshops and personal mentoring. “At the end of the two weeks, there’s a competition where a jury selects the three best start-up ideas,” explains Hipp. “Participants also have the chance to build valuable connections—and maybe even secure investment.”

A new chapter in Darmstadt

There are no membership requirements to join thinc!. “We welcome anyone who is motivated to get involved,” says Hipp. The organization offers events for both students with a concrete start-up idea and those who are simply curious about the start-up scene. “We also make a point of attracting students from diverse academic backgrounds, not just business majors,” he adds. “A good mix of disciplines—and the expertise that comes with it—is essential.”

To expand this interdisciplinary focus, thinc! established a chapter at the Technical University of Darmstadt in 2022. “This allows us to combine our strengths in business with their expertise in technology,” Hipp explains. While the Darmstadt chapter operates independently, it remains closely connected to the Mannheim team.

Both leaders share a common goal for their organizations. “thinc! seeks to inspire students at the University of Mannheim to take the leap into entrepreneurship,” says Hipp. Limper agrees, emphasizing the long-term impact of Q-Summit: “Our goal is to enrich the start-up landscape in Mannheim for years to come.”

Text: Jessica Scholich / April 2025