The Bavaria Israel Partnership Accelerator brings together young talent from different countries and fields of study to develop innovative solutions in international teams for real-world challenges faced by companies and public institutions. In addition to entrepreneurial thinking and creative problem-solving, the program focuses above all on combining different perspectives and learning from one another.
Across Munich with a Paperclip: Creativity and Teamwork from the Start
Right at the start of the kick-off week, an unusual task awaited the participants: In the “Paperclip Challenge,” small teams set out through Munich with a paperclip and had three hours to trade it for something of greater value through clever bartering. A playful challenge that demanded creativity, communication, initiative, and team spirit in equal measure.
Collaborative learning remained the focus in the days that followed. In interactive workshops, participants explored topics such as trust and active listening with Philipp von Törne, intercultural collaboration with Guy Katz, and methods for conducting research, questioning assumptions, and better understanding user needs.
Dr. Verena Knerich helped the teams translate their initial research findings into concrete innovation questions. Morten Edzards introduced the SCE innovation process and shared practical approaches for the upcoming virtual collaboration.
Understand the problem first, then develop solutions
One central idea ran through the entire week: “Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.” Because before innovative solutions can emerge, it is essential to understand the actual challenge and the needs of the people involved.
To this end, the four international teams visited their respective challenge partners, got to know their organizations, and exchanged ideas with the people behind the challenges. A heartfelt thank you to GLISS Gebäude-Service, Omegga, the Regensburg District Office, and ZeroRunway, who contributed their innovation challenges to the program and provided the teams with valuable insights into real-world practice.
To wrap up the week, participants went through a fast-tracked innovation process during a hands-on “Design Dash”: from understanding a problem to developing initial ideas, and on to building, testing, and refining prototypes.
By the end of the five days, the teams had already narrowed down their challenges more precisely and explored initial approaches. The focus was not yet on the final solution, but rather on determining what needed to be investigated further in the coming weeks.
Innovation Brings People and Perspectives Together
However, BIPA is far more than just an innovation program. Just as important are the people who come together through it. During the kick-off week, participants were able to forge connections across cultural and professional boundaries, build trust, and grow together as international teams.
After five intensive days, the atmosphere was marked by inspiration, curiosity, gratitude, anticipation for the work ahead—and also a bit of exhaustion. For some, the week meant not only getting to know other cultures and ways of thinking but also discovering new sides of themselves.
What’s next? Over the next eight weeks, the teams will work virtually on their innovation challenges and further develop their ideas. In December, they will reunite for the final workshop in Beer Sheva, Israel, to present their results.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, speakers, challenge partners, and the SCE team who made this special kick-off week possible!
About the Bavaria Israel Partnership Accelerator
The Bavaria Israel Partnership Accelerator (BIPA) is organized by the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE) at Munich University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Tech7 in Israel and OTH Regensburg. Students from the University of Georgia (USA) are also participating in the current edition.
The program is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy.