A two-course learning journey into quantum technologies, innovation, and venture creation.
- 📚 Program Structure
- 🚀 Startup Insights: Unlocking Quantum Potential (6 ECTS)
- Course Description
- 🎯 Learning Outcomes
- 🧭 Course Activities
- 📌 Deliverables
- 🧪 Quantum Entrepreneurship Laboratory (QEL) (3 ECTS)
- Course Description
- 🎯 Learning Focus
- Workflow
- 📌 Deliverables
- Referenced Research & Course Development
- 🔗 How the Two Courses Work Together
- 👥 Target Students
- Our Team
- 📍 Organized by
📚 Program Structure
This program consists of two connected courses:
Course | ECTS | Audience | Purpose |
Startup Insights: Unlocking Quantum Potential | 6 ECTS | Management students | Build foundational understanding of quantum technologies + startup ecosystem + pitch competences |
Quantum Entrepreneurship Laboratory (QEL) | 3 ECTS | Interdisciplinary teams (Physics + CS + Management) | Develop real quantum startup concepts in mixed deep-tech teams |
Together, these courses prepare students to understand, evaluate, and build quantum innovation in the real world.
🚀 Startup Insights: Unlocking Quantum Potential (6 ECTS)
Course Code: MGT001466
Offered: Every semester
Spots: ~30 students (management focus)
Application: CV + short motivation required
Course Description
This course introduces management students to:
- The basics of quantum mechanics relevant to real industrial applications (without heavy mathematics),
- The global quantum startup and innovation ecosystem, and
- How to develop and pitch early-stage quantum venture ideas with clarity and confidence.
The course provides the conceptual grounding and entrepreneurial mindset required to later take part in QEL.
🎯 Learning Outcomes
Students will learn to:
- Understand how quantum technologies work at a high level,
- Analyze industrial use cases and emerging market opportunities,
- Navigate the international quantum startup ecosystem (Germany & global),
- Create and deliver a professional, compelling startup pitch.
🧭 Course Activities
- Interactive concept lectures: from qubits → use cases
- Guest sessions with founders & researchers from the Munich quantum ecosystem
- Startup visits (e.g., hardware, computing, sensing labs)
- Pitch training and collaborative workshops
📌 Deliverables
1) Live Startup Pitch (Demo Day format)
Students develop and pitch a venture concept based on a real quantum use case.
2) Short Analytical Paper (800–1000 words)
Choose one real quantum startup and:
- Describe the problem and industry context,
- Explain their technological solution,
- Analyze their target market,
- Reflect on future strategy,
- Provide your recommendations for next steps (product roadmap, business model, partnerships, etc.).
Company visit at Quantum Diamonds, a Munich-based quantum hardware startup, Winter Term 25/26
🧪 Quantum Entrepreneurship Laboratory (QEL) (3 ECTS)
🔗 https://www.tum-venture-labs.de/offerings/quantum-entrepreneurship-laboratory/
Course Code: WI001258
Offered: Summer term only
Spots: 10 management students
(additional ~20 physics students enrolled from the Physics Department)
Application: CV + motivation required
Course Description
QEL is a hands-on, project-based course where management, physics, CS, and engineering students form interdisciplinary teams to develop real quantum venture concepts.
Students work directly with:
- Quantum startups
- University research labs
- Industry partners
The outcome is a validated early-stage startup idea rooted in real technical feasibility and market relevance.
🎯 Learning Focus
- Translating quantum technology capabilities into clear value propositions
- Identifying commercialization pathways
- Working effectively in interdisciplinary teams
- Presenting deep tech venture pitches to informed stakeholders
Workflow
- Team formation with physics, engineering & management students
- Collaboration with research groups, quantum startups, and industry partners
- Development of a venture concept + pitch deck
📌 Deliverables
- Team venture case document (technical + business integration)
- Final pitch at a closing event with founders, VCs, and industry experts
Referenced Research & Course Development
This course and its outcomes were presented as academic work at IEEE Quantum Week 2025:
Sander, A., Cercola, R., Capogrosso, A., Filipp, S., Jobst, B., Mendl, C. B., Pollmann, F., Trummer, C., Welpe, I., Werninghaus, M., Wille, R., & Wimmer, C. (2025).Quantum Entrepreneurship Lab: Training a future workforce for the quantum industry.
Presented at IEEE Quantum Week 2025.
🔗 How the Two Courses Work Together
Startup Insights (6 ECTS) → builds knowledge + confidence
QEL (3 ECTS) → applies that knowledge in real venture creation
This sequence:
- Increases management student participation in QEL,
- Improves the business strength of quantum startup concepts,
- Enables higher-quality interdisciplinary collaboration.
👥 Target Students
- Curious, motivated, entrepreneurial students
- Interested in deep tech, innovation, and emerging industries
- No prior physics background required — we teach what you need
Our Team
Prof. Dr. Isabell Welpe
Chair of Strategy and Organization
Andrea Capogrosso
Research associate & PhD candidate
Christian Wimmer
Research associate & PhD candidate
📍 Organized by
TUM School of Management · TUM Physics · TUM Venture Labs Quantum
In partnership with Munich’s quantum research & startup ecosystem.
