Photos

© Johannes Ueberfeldt @ REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center
  • © Johannes Ueberfeldt @ REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center
  • © Johannes Ueberfeldt @ REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center

CURATE Incubator: Final Bootcamp in Münster Marks a Milestone in European Co-Creation

With the second international bootcamp, held mid-September at the University of Münster—and also at the REACH EUREGIO Start-up Center—the CURATE Incubator Program reached its final phase. What began in the spring at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE) in Slovakia evolved over five months into a unique experience in cross-border collaboration, uniting students, universities, and companies from across Europe in a shared mission: innovation through co-creation.

As a satellite project of the Ulysseus European University, CURATE creates learning environments where students from diverse academic, cultural, and personal backgrounds work together to tackle real-world business challenges. Along the way, they build their AI literacy, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, and gain hands-on experience in interdisciplinary co-creation.

Why Internationalization Matters—Especially for the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow

In today’s global economy, internationalization is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Especially in the startup and innovation space, the ability to work across cultures, navigate international markets, and collaborate with diverse teams is a key factor for success.

For students, international collaboration offers the opportunity to build practical skills, broaden their networks, and grow beyond the classroom. It promotes open-mindedness, agility, and the confidence to take on complex challenges—critical traits for shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Europe and beyond.

Real-World Challenges, Meaningful Impact

In collaboration with eight European companies, students developed innovative solutions to concrete business challenges in areas ranging from sustainability and healthcare to AI and civic engagement:

  • Digital Health & Mental Wellbeing (Minduu / AtCare Oy, Mavie)
  • Sustainable Energy Solutions (VSE – Energie pre vaše domácnosti a firmy)
  • Skin Research & Product Innovation (Dermatest GmbH)
  • Civic Engagement & Smart Communities (comuneo)
  • Sports & Lifestyle E-Commerce (GymBeam)
  • AI-Based Feedback and Community Platforms (Fygë, wiasano)
  • Citizen Science for Ocean and Environmental Protection (Kahi Kai)

Guided by coaches from academia and industry, students worked in intercultural teams on user research, prototyping, and early-stage business cases—taking real responsibility and gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience.

A European Ecosystem for Innovation and Education

The CURATE program was made possible through the close collaboration of Ulysseus partner universities—TU Košice, Université Côte d’Azur, MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, the University of Münster, and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences—supported by a wide network of experts, coaches, and participating companies across Europe.

What made CURATE truly special was the diversity of people involved—from different countries, sectors, and disciplines—coming together to share their knowledge, energy, and vision. Their collaboration turned CURATE into a living example of European co-creation in action.

What’s Next?

While the final bootcamp marks the end of this edition of the CURATE Incubator, the journey continues. A 3 ECTS MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is currently in development, building on the program’s insights and formats to provide students across Europe with a practical entry point into AI-powered innovation and entrepreneurship.

A big thank-you to all students, partners, and companies who made CURATE a success.