Entrepreneurship &
Start-ups

As the Entrepreneurial School®, MCI supports students, alumni, researchers and faculty in their entrepreneurial activities in order to actively shape the future

Support

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® offers a wide range of support options, including consultations, extra educational programs, the MCI Creativity Award, assistance with team formation, and the opportunity for strategic partnerships. Our goal is to support you on your entrepreneurial journey to success and provide valuable resources. Discover how we can help you realize your ideas and take your start-up to the next level.

Topics

Advice & Assistance

MCI serves as the primary hub for Entrepreneurship. As The Entrepreneurial School®, MCI supports Start-ups and encourages the development of Spin-Offs.

Orientation Meeting

Schedule a non-binding orientation meeting to discuss your ideas, clarify any open questions, and explore potential implementation scenarios together with us.

Book an Appointment

Coaching, Mentoring & Co-working

Working alongside our experts, we assess the current status and collaboratively develop an individual roadmap for the next steps, helping you make strategic decisions, overcome obstacles, and achieve long-term success. Here you can learn more about the Coaching- and Mentoringprocess.

Pitch Training

You already have presentation slides and want to prepare optimally for your pitch? Our pitch training provides you with specific feedback on your presentation and pitch deck, along with Tips and Tricks to attract investors and customers.

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Funding Consultation

The establishment of a start-up requires financial resources. The region of Tyrol, as well as national organizations such as the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Austrian Business Service Company (AWS), have developed programs and financial incentives to support aspiring entrepreneurs on their journey.

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Educational Program

Next to the curricular Programs, the MCI also provides an attractive extra-curricular Program.

Founders Academy

The Founders Academy is an interregional program that supports early-stage start-ups in preparing their entrepreneurial ideas to enter the market. A consortium of eight dedicated partners from Italy and Austria has developed a joint program to assist start-ups in successfully implementing their ideas through expert webinars, personalized coaching, application-oriented tools, and community support.

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Digital Badge Certificate Program

MCI awards a digital certificate, known as a 'Digital Badge,' for entrepreneurial skills acquired alongside regular studies. The Digital Badge in Entrepreneurship & Start-ups includes a series of seminars and activities designed to foster a profound understanding of entrepreneurial actions, develop business ideas, create a robust business plan, and gain practical insights into the operations and processes of start-ups.

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Support Initiatives

MCI offers various funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.

Senator H.C. Dr. Martin Steinmeyer Grant At MCI

The German Circle of Friends of Innsbruck Univiersities e.V. offers the Senator h.c. Dr. Martin Steinmeyer grant at MCI, which provides a unique opportunity for young individuals in Tyrol to pursue entrepreneurial projects. This support aims to realize innovative ideas and could represent a crucial step towards successful entrepreneurship.

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MCI Creativity Award

Every year, the MCI Creativity Award is hosted, where students from all study programs (including incoming students) have the chance demonstrate their entrepreneurial ideas. A jury of independent experts from various fields evaluates all ideas and the best ideas are awarded prizes. In addition, special prizes will be awarded!

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Find Co-Founders / Talents

Successful start-ups don't begin with just a great idea but, above all, with an even greater team. MCI connects Founders looking for like-minded individuals that support their visions and talented individuals who want to contribute to exciting projects.

1. Registration

Share your vision or skills by signing up now and providing information.

As a founder, you have the opportunity to find co-founders and/or talents who can support your entrepreneurial venture.
As a talent, you have the chance to showcase your unique skills and contribute to innovative projects.

2. Matchmaking

We align competencies and needs with each other and conduct individual coordination with potential co-founders and talents for you. Our goal is to promote a dynamic and effective partnership between founders and talents to drive forward innovative projects and ideas.

3. Connecting

We connect you, also in a neutral environment and under moderated guidance. This creates space for exchanging ideas, valuable networking opportunities, and successful collaboration.

Strategic Partnership

As The Entrepreneurial School®, we consider it our mission to actively contribute to supporting and promoting the creation and development process of start-ups. We firmly believe that successful collaborations form the foundation for sustainable growth and innovation. By fostering entrepreneurship, we not only contribute to regional value creation but also secure jobs, thereby strengthening the local economy.Therefore, we are open to inquiries regarding a strategic partnerships.

In addition to industry-specific expertise, MCI offers a strong network, co-working spaces, laboratories and experienced mentors, as well as the opportunity to participate in numerous events. Our goal is to work together on developing tailored solutions to help you achieve your entrepreneurial objectives and overcome challenges.

Request strategic partnership

Currently, MCI is in strategic partnerships with the following companies:

Ecosystem

In recent years, the start-up ecosystem in Tyrol has significantly evolved and is characterized by a clear trend towards promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. This transformation has been primarily driven by a variety of initiatives and organizations that have contributed to creating a conducive environment for emerging businesses. The ecosystem partners come with diverse competencies and offerings, aiming to enable synergistic effects. At MCI, we are happy to provide centralized information about regional offerings and connect you with relevant stakeholders as needed.

Part of Startup.Tirol

Startup.Tirol brings together existing start-up initiatives in Tyrol to support entrepreneurs and start-ups on their journey and establish Tyrol as an attractive location for startups. You can find more information about the startup ecosystem at https://www.startup.tirol/.

Contribute

Are you a mentor or investor looking to actively shape the future of a young, aspiring company? As a mentor, you share your knowledge and experience with aspiring founders. As an investor, you have the opportunity to invest in promising start-ups and support innovative ideas. We invite interested mentors and investors to join us in co-creating the next success stories in the field of entrepreneurship.

Reach out

News

from the field of Entrepreneurship

MCI Students Kick Off CURATE Innovation Program

Students from Ulysseus partner universities unite to design and create AI-driven solutions for businesses

Founders Match on Campus at MCI

Networking, pitches & co-founding: MCI students meet start-ups

Kickoff for the Founders Academy 2025

Eleven weeks of coaching, expert feedback & pitching for early-stage startups from AT & IT

Questions & Answers

I would like to start my own Business, what do i need, and who can i contact?

There is an entrepreneur in each of us. We will help you to recognize your potential for it. If you have any questions regarding the founding of a business, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at entrepreneurship@mci.edu or phone: +43 512 2070 -1826. We offer coaching on various issues with internal and external experts.

How does MCI support me in the area of Entrepreneurhsip and/Or Start-up?

The MCI offers a range of curricular and extracurricular programs. Take a look at how you can receive support or contact us at entrepreneurship@mci.edu or per phone +43 512 2070-1826.

How can I submit an idea to the creativity award and when will the next creativity award take place?

Students from all degree programs (including incoming students) can submit ideas for the Creativity Award. The Creativity Award takes place every year in April (submissions are accepted from January to March). If you would like to know more about it, please contact creativity@mci.edu or phone: +43 512 2070 -1821

What is a Digital Badge?

Digital Badges are badges in digital format that identify skills acquired extracurricular to formal studies. These digital certificates can be shared via social media and make competences more visible to potential employers, project partners and clients.

The MCI offers a special badges for the field of entrepreneurship:

Digital Badge Entrepreneurship & Start-ups

Students of all MCI programs can acquire MCI badges during their studies (extra-curricular i.e. in addition to their regular studies, without ECTS) at the Entrepreneurial School®. Once you have met all the requirements and proven your abilities, you will receive your digital badge. Students can select badges according to their preferences, interests and personal career plans and thus design individual career portfolios for their future. In addition, students acquire digital skills and personal responsibility for lifelong learning.

How can i register for the digital badge and what is the procedure?

The registration period runs from 1^st September to 15^th October (limited contingent) - click here to register! Within one year, the students go through a series of mandatory and elective seminars, workshops, courses and learning experiences. Upon successful completion, they receive a digital badge in the respective subject field.