Wed, 22.10.
10:00 - 12:00

Kunstverein Heilbronn e.V. / Harmonie

Allee 28
74072 Heilbronn

Explore cutting-edge research on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Hosted by: Entrepreneurship Research Lab (ERLab)
Language: English

To this Slush`D Side-Event and Entrepreneurship Research Meetup, we invite researchers and scholars from Heilbronn and beyond to connect and collaborate with practitioners and founders. Together, we will explore cutting-edge research on entrepreneurship, innovation, and AI.

What better place than the Heilbronn Kunstverein with its current exhibition of AI icon Sougwen Chung to engage in dialogues that spark new ideas and partnerships? While the researchers present and discuss their research fields in a fascinating environment, practitioners bring their experiences and challenges, which can be a valuable input for the definition of research questions and joint collaboration.

Whether you are at the start of your career or an experienced scholar, an employee in a start-up or a founder, join us to exchange insights and help shape the Heilbronn ecosystem community.

Format: World Café
Fee: Participation is free; places are limited due to space constraints.

Wed, 22.10.
15:30 - 22:00

GRAVITY

Bildungscampus 11
74076 Heilbronn

Hosted by: encourageventures e.V., Verband der Unternehmerinnen in Deutschland (VdU), and Campus Founders
Language: English
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The perfect warm-up before Heilbronn Slush’D!

We're bringing together selected business angels, mentors and founders from the encourageventures, VDU & Campus Founders ecosystem for an afternoon full of insights, inspiration, and meaningful connections.

What to expect:
- Welcome coffee & GRAVITY preview tour (new building for Campus Founders)
- Panel “From Support to Scale – Empowering the Next Generation of Founders” with Amela Turkmanovic (VdU), Patrick Burkert (Campus Founders) and Nina Stegmann (Stegmann and Company)
- Honest dialogue & interactive networking between investors, mentors & founders
- Rounded up by a dinner

Why join?
- Curated connections
- Insights from both startup & investment perspectives
- Direct access to the encourageventures, Campus Founders & VDU ecosystem

Wed, 22.10.
16:30 - 21:00

GRAVITY

Bildungscampus 11
74076 Heilbronn

Hosted by: Campus Founders
Language: English

Community Members are invited for our Campus Founders Community Meetup on October 22, the day before Heilbronn Slush'D!
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A unique opportunity to meet investors, other program alumni and fellow community members - before the main event begins!
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What to expect?
- Get together to meet and connect with investors and founders
- Founder-exclusive Community gathering to reconnect with fellow startups & alumni

Who's in?
This event is exclusively for Campus Founders Community Members with a Heilbronn Slush'D ticket.

Wed, 22.10.
19:00 - 21:30

PIER 58 Flammerie

Untere Neckarstraße 10
74072 Heilbronn

Hosted by: Campus Founders
Language: English

Are you curious about innovative European startups bringing fresh perspectives to the fields of AI and Software Stack, Company Management and Productivity, Industry 4.0, Manufacturing, Sustainability and Mobility?

As part of Heilbronn Slush’D 2025, Campus Founders invites you to an evening of exchange and inspiration at our International Founders Dinner in the heart of Heilbronn.

This gathering brings together a hand-picked group of european founders and it’s a unique chance to discover new approaches, exchange experiences, and explore potential avenues for future collaboration in a relaxed dinner setting.

Limited seats for corporate innovators available.

In cooperation with imec, RISE Europe, and Bolzano Slush’D.

Participation is free; seats are limited and subject to confirmation.

Thu, 23.10.
8:00 - 8:45

experimenta - Das Science Center

Experimenta-Platz 1, 74072 Heilbronn

Hosted by: Jet Ventures
Language: English

Kick off your Heilbronn Slush'D 2025 experience with an invigorating morning run around the beautiful Neckarinsel! Join fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and startup enthusiasts for a refreshing way to network while staying active.
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Event Details:
Distance: ~4.5km
Duration: 45 minutes
Time: 8.00 sharp
Pace: easy-peasy - suits all fitness levels
Meeting Point: plaza in front of Experimenta Centre
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This energizing morning run offers the perfect opportunity to:
Wake up your body and mind before the main event
Network with like-minded individuals in a relaxed, informal setting
Explore the picturesque Neckarinsel area
Start your Slush'D experience with positive energy
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What to Bring:
Running gear (shoes, jacket, Buff, ... ) check the temp!
Water bottle (recommended)
Positive energy and readiness to connect!
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Who Should Join
Open to all Heilbronn Slush'D 2025 participants who love the idea of waking up with purpose and meeting unexpected people through movement. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just getting started, this event welcomes anyone ready to discover connections that form naturally when people share a common joy.
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Experience the magic of early morning energy and authentic human connection – where business relationships begin with shared steps and genuine smiles.

Thu, 23.10.
9:00 - 11:00

GRAVITY

Bildungscampus 11
74076 Heilbronn

Hosted by: Campus Founders & Heilbronn Slush'D Team

Reserved for Speakers of Heilbronn Slush'D 2025
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Thu, 23.10.
9:30 - 12:00

IPAI Spaces

Im Zukunftspark 11,
74076 Heilbronn

Hosted by: appliedAI Institute for Europe gGmbH
Language: English

The appliedAI Developers Meetups bring together senior AI practitioners to share practical solutions, real-world learnings, and what’s working in the field. It’s a community built for technical depth without the fluff - focused on impact, clarity, and cross-domain collaboration.
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This edition will explore the evolving landscape of image generation models - challenges and opportunities from founders building in the space.
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🎤 Agenda Highlights:
Showcase & Discussions: Projects from regional startups working with image generation models. Hear firsthand from founders about the challenges they’ve faced, the opportunities they see, and where the research is headed.

Featured Speakers:
Dr. Jonas Auda - GENERIO.ai
Jeroen van Gorsel – Shai Creative
Shahad Hussain – Wahrify

Networking Connect with fellow AI leaders, exchange ideas, and spark collaborations over drinks and good conversation.
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Hosted by: appliedAI Developers & Kat
Moderated by: Sachin Agrawal

Thu, 23.10.
10:00 - 12:00

GRAVITY
Heaven's Kitchen

Bildungscampus 11
74076 Heilbronn

Hosted by: Campus Founders, encourageventures e.V. & NXTGN
Language: English

High‑quality networking in an intimate setting
Engage in meaningful conversations with investors, business angels, and fellow founders – not just surface‑level small talk.

Exclusive access to valuable insights
Get direct feedback, insider tips, and real‑life learnings from women who have already succeeded.

Perfect timing before Heilbronn Slush’D 2025
Kick off your day with fresh connections and input so you head into the main event well‑prepared.

Tailored discussions at expert tables
Choose the topics most relevant to your startup and get hands‑on advice from experienced table captains.

A network that truly supports you
Especially if your network is still small, this is your chance to build relationships that can help take your business to the next level.

Applications are open and spots are limited:

Thu, 23.10.
10:00 - 12:00

Innovationsfabrik Heilbronn IFH 2.0

Im Zukunftspark 4, 74076 Heilbronn

Kooperationspotenziale erfolgreich umsetzen

Hosted by: Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft (BVMW) - Der Mittelstand
Language: German

Offener Erfahrungsaustausch zwischen mittelständischen Unternehmen und Startups, um voneinander zu lernen, Kooperationspotenziale zu identifizieren und praxisnahe Methoden zu erproben.
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‍Agenda
Begrüßung & Impuls
Intro: Workshop-Thema, Ziele & Ablauf
Keynote-Impuls: Das Universum an Kooperationsmöglichkeiten
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Vorstellungsrunde zu Status und Vision
Austausch in 2 Runden à 10 Min pro Person zu Kooperationsstatus und -vision
Themen: Umgang mit Digitalisierung, Innovationsbedarf, Erwartungen an Kooperation

Ergebnispräsentation & Peer-Feedback

Zusammenfassung & Next Steps

Walk & Talk zur Heilbronn Slush'D
 
Speakers
Dr. Sonja Sulzmaier (Leiterin der Initiative Mittelstand meets Startups, BVMW)
Alexander Wonner (Mitglied Wirtschaftssenat, BVMW)
Mansoor Said (BVMW)

Thu, 23.10.
10:00 - 12:00

Schiff "Weiße Flotte"

Am Neckarbogen, Anlegestelle Alte Reederei

Am Neckaruferpark 20,
74076 Heilbronn

Hosted by: Verband der Unternehmerinnen in Deutschland (VdU), GREEN Family Office, MS Zukunftwiesen & Wirtschaftsregion Heilbronn-Franken
Language: German

Start-ups entwickeln die Lösungen von morgen – sie sind Katalysatoren der Transformation und nicht nur Unicorns, sondern auch unser neuer Mittelstand. Damit diese Innovationen wachsen können, braucht es Investor:innen, die mehr wollen als Rendite.

‍Genau hier setzt unser Side Event an: Female Investors for Future – Unternehmerinnen zeigen Haltung, Mut und Wirkungskraft.

Highlight:
‍Paneldiskussion mit Expertinnen und Impact Investors for Startups – What’s the Difference to Classical VCs?

‍Expertinnen:
Tina Dreimann, Co-Founder Better Ventures
Anne Geiger, General Partner Anthropia Ventures
Ellinor Schweyer, General Partner FASE
Christin ter Braak Forstinger, Managing Partner CHI Impact Capital

Moderation:
Amela Turkmanovic, Vorsitzende VdU LV Württemberg & CEO GREEN Family Office
Peter Brock, Bundesinitiative Impact Investing & BeeWyzer Academy

Thu, 23.10.
10:00 - 12:00

Hochschule Heilbronn

TechCampus DigiLab,
Raum E701

Max-Planck-Straße 39
74081 Heilbronn

Hosted by: DeepTech Hub, Pitchload & Hochschule Heilbronn
Language: English

🌱 For Founders and Founders-to-be:
If you're interested in finding co-founders or talents, this event is for you.
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🧠 For Talents:
If you're willing to join a startup or founder team, this event is also for you.
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How does Matchmakting at #DTH work?
Imagine a speed-dating situation where one side pitches their idea or startup and the other side pitches him or herself as a talent. Within 60 minutes, you'll meet at least 15 people and learn about their mission. If it's a fit, it's a fit and a joint journey may begin.

What can you expect?
The event has two parts – the speed-dating and the attendance of HEILBRONN SLUSH'D (additional ticket required). This is your chance to continue talking and deepen the conversation.

🚌 There will be a shuttle that brings you from Matchmaking to Heilbronn Slush’D