Together with Johann Fischer, the programme coordinator of the AOB, the group was welcomed to the Prüfening site by Dr Dirk Sindersberger. During a tour of the OTH Start-up Lab's workshops, Sindersberger explained how budding founders develop their creativity and realise their ideas on site.
The OTH Start-up Lab is open to all members of the university, from students to OTH employees. Anyone who wants to work on a start-up idea can get advice from the Start-up Lab team - from the initial idea to the finished prototype. In addition to modern, well-equipped rooms, the lab offers numerous opportunities for realisation and design, networking with like-minded people and participation in a wide range of start-up-related events.
In one and a half exciting hours, Sindersberger gave a practical insight into the work of the Start-up Lab and showed the potential of this inspiring environment. In addition to simple workstations and co-working spaces, the OTH Start-up Lab also offers a variety of workshops in the so-called MakerSpace - including a 3D workshop, laser cutting, an electronics workshop and much more.
One of Sindersberger's main concerns is to take away the participants' fear of tackling their visions. For him, this is clearly one of the most important tasks of the OTH Start-up Lab. For this reason, the offices and co-working spaces deliberately remain open at all times. This creates an atmosphere in which everyone feels welcome and can start working immediately.
The focus is on making things - you can get started straight away. All materials and equipment in the workshops are available free of charge, even if they are not directly needed for prototype development. "Someone can create a model on the 3D printer and try it out in the textile workshop at the same time," explained Sindersberger. "The important thing is that people continue to develop and expand their skills." This openness of the OTH Start-up Lab with all its possibilities should encourage people to try out new things and develop both personally and professionally.
"With the excursion to the OTH Start-up Lab, OTH Regensburg is successfully joining the AOB's annual programme," said Fischer. OTH Regensburg was already involved in the kick-off symposium "Startups - driving force for the Upper Palatinate - Pilsen economic region" on 15 February 2025 - at the Centrum Bavaria Bohemia in Schönsee, Prof. Dr Sean Patrick Saßmannshausen, representative for start-ups at OTH Regensburg, shed light on the role of regional universities.
