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Imagine the future will be wonderful and it's because of you.

Two semesters. Three projects. A network that lasts. Experiences that connect.

APE is a program for anyone who is curious. Who want to try something out. Who want to work on real projects in a team of like-minded people and learn more about themselves in the process than in any lecture. Whether you are studying for a bachelor's degree, doing a doctorate or already working.

What you should know at a glance

Who is APE for?

APE is aimed at students from all universities, doctoral candidates, professionals, career changers between the ages of 18 and 45+ who are interested in learning or deepening their entrepreneurial thinking and working with a wide variety of people.

What are the contents?

Entrepreneurial mindset, human-centered design, user research and interviews, problem definition, ideation, prototyping and testing, business and organizational logic, pitch and presentation, design thinking, systems thinking, lean startup, business model development. Not as theory, but directly applied, on real projects, with partners from the business world.

How much time should you allow?

The program runs over two semesters - it always starts at the beginning of the winter semester in October and ends with the summer semester in July. It is designed in such a way that it can be completed alongside studies, work and family. Schedule approx. 6-10 hours per week - depending on how deeply your team immerses itself in the project. In March, during the semester break, the one-week intensive International Bootcamp takes place. All events take place in person.

What does the program cost?

Participation in APE is free of charge for most or possible with a scholarship. Here is an overview:

  • Full-time students at Munich University of Applied Sciences take part free of charge.
  • Scholarship: Students from other universities can apply for a full scholarship, working students and part-time students can apply for a partial scholarship (50%). The award is based on motivation and commitment, not on grades.
  • Self-payers: For all others, the participation fee is 5,000 euros

Express your interest now until 16 September

Was macht APE mit Menschen?

Faces of APE. 

My most important learning at APE was: I can do it too!

Leonie B.

The entrepreneurs of tomorrow are trained here. A great opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial skills, which also offer huge added value in a "normal" professional career.

Marco W.

APE showed me what strengths I have as a designer for an innovation project. The different projects also took away my fear of familiarizing myself with completely unfamiliar subject areas.

Felix S.

My tip: Get out of your comfort zone & try new things!

Pheline H.

What is the idea behind APE?

Perhaps you are at a turning point right now. Your studies are underway, but you're wondering what comes next. Or you are already working and are wondering how you can think and act more entrepreneurially. Or you are doing a doctorate - you are deeply involved in your subject, but are wondering how you can bring your knowledge into the world and build up a network beyond academia. Or you just want to try something out -- without putting everything on the line.

APE is the space for this.

Since 2008, the program at the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE) has been bringing together people who are curious and want to make a difference. Not all of them end up founding a start-up. But they all leave with a different perspective on problems, with an interdisciplinary network and with methods that are useful far beyond APE - because they help you to understand problems before you solve them and to develop ideas so that they really work.

You don't have to want to found a company to be part of APE. But if you want to at some point - you will be prepared. If you want to take the next step after the program, the SCE offers direct support through its start-up funding.

What are you taking with you?

Methods that no degree program teaches

In most degree programs, you start with a defined task. With APE, the first question is: What is the problem? You learn how to understand real user needs before you even start developing solutions. How to build a prototype that provides real feedback. How to communicate an idea so that others understand and support it.

Real teamwork - not standard group work

APE is not standard university group work, where one person does everything and the others follow. Everyone learns to present, moderate, give and accept feedback. Everyone has to really understand their own project - and stand up for it. That is exhausting. And it's exactly what will help you progress.

You will make decisions, even if you don't have all the information. You will fail and move on. You will realize how you function in a team - and what you are still missing. These are experiences that no textbook offers. You are not alone: each team is accompanied by a mentor and experienced coaches.

A network of real like-minded people

At APE, you'll meet people who are similar to you - but have a completely different education. Engineers, designers, business economists, professionals with ten years of experience and first-year students. And at the International Bootcamp, students and professionals from Scotland, the Netherlands, Canada and other countries join us. It is precisely this mix of disciplines and cultures that leads to ideas that you wouldn't have on your own.

Many APE graduates remain connected to the program - as coaches and mentors, as project partners, as guests at the regular alumni get-togethers.

Some start a business together. Some hire each other. And some have simply remained friends. The network is real and growing.

International experience that no other degree program offers

The APE International Bootcamp takes place once a year in Munich - an intensive week with students and professionals from our partner universities in Scotland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Canada and other countries. You will work in a mixed team: we make a conscious effort to ensure that each team brings together people from as many different countries as possible. You will work together in English, in a limited amount of time, on a real issue. You conduct interviews with people on the street, build prototypes and present results.

In addition, there are optional workshops lasting several days at partner universities abroad - so far in Edinburgh, Barcelona and Bordeaux. You visit a different university, work with people from a completely different cultural background and discover methods from a new perspective. You make friends who stay longer than the program. Everyone pays for their own travel and accommodation - the on-site workshop is free of charge.

What do APE graduates do afterwards?

The paths after APE are as varied as the people who complete the program. Some stay with the company - but with a different perspective on problems and more courage to drive their own ideas forward. Some move to smaller companies or start-ups. Some found their own companies, some become mentors for the next APE cohort.

Over the years, APE has given rise to companies that are active on the market today.

Personal mentoring

Each APE team is supported by a mentor who accompanies them throughout the entire program year. Mentors are founders, managing directors, managers and experts from various fields.

The meetings take place regularly - in a format and rhythm that the mentor and team design themselves. It's not about the APE projects, but about you: your career, your goals, your next steps. Having someone who listens and gives honest feedback is rare. At APE, it's standard.

How is the program structured?

Semester 1: Intrapreneurship

In the first semester, you will work in an interdisciplinary team on a specific issue facing a company or organization. You will learn the complete innovation process: from really understanding the problem to prototyping and presenting a feasible solution.

2nd International Bootcamp

The APE International Bootcamp takes place between the two semesters - an intensive week during the semester break with 60 to 80 participants from several countries. A common theme, six days, a final presentation. The bootcamp is a compulsory module for the final certificate.

3rd semester 2: Entrepreneurship

In the second semester, you work on your own ideas. With a new team, based on the methods and experiences from the first semester. If you realize at the end that an idea could really work, you can take it further - supported by the SCE's start-up support.

 

In each of the three program phases - semester 1, bootcamp and semester 2 - you will work in a new team. This is a deliberate choice: Each new constellation brings different perspectives and strengthens your ability to work quickly with different people.

When are the most important dates?

The program starts with a kick-off weekend on 9 and 10 October 2026 (Friday/Saturday) - two intensive days during which you will get to know the program, form your team and dive into your first work together.

After that, the regular sessions run on Mondays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the rooms of the SCE (Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship) - a total of 10 dates over the semester. These are supplemented by 3 Wednesday formats with external guests from the field: founders, managers, experts from various industries.

In the middle of the semester, there is a midterm presentation - a good opportunity to reflect on your own progress and get feedback. The final event will take place on January 11, 2027: a final presentation in front of the project partners and a panel.

The International Bootcamp will take place from March 1 to 7, 2027 at the SCE in Munich - seven intensive days during the lecture-free period, an international team and a joint research question. Attendance is compulsory to receive the certificate.

How can you apply?

The first application deadline  for the 2026/27 cohort was 15 August 2026. The second application deadline is 19 September 2026. Those who apply earlier will already be considered in the previous award rounds - the earlier, the better. The application process is divided into two steps. This allows us to get to know each other early on - without you having to submit everything at once.

Step 1: Express interest (2 minutes)

Leave us your name and e-mail address. That's it for now.

You'll hear from us within 48 hours - in person, with all the information you need for the next step.

-> Express interest now

Step 2: Complete application (approx. 20-30 minutes)

After we have received your contact, we will invite you to submit your complete application. It includes your CV and three targeted questions:

  • What brought you to APE - and what do you hope to gain from it?
  • Describe a situation where you tried something new, even though you weren't sure if it would work.
  • What would you like to do differently after the program than before?

If you are applying for a scholarship

If you are applying for a scholarship, also answer one of the following questions (max. one page):

  • What business model fascinates you - and why?
  • Sit in a public place, observe and find three things that could be improved. Choose one and describe how you would approach a solution.

What happens next

Once we have received your complete application, we will read it carefully - in person, not automatically. If we would like to get to know you, we will invite you to an interview within 5 working days. Approx. 30 minutes, not an interview, an opportunity to get to know each other.

Questions? Write to us at any time: ape@sce.de

APE for companies

Participation for companies & their employees

Would you like to use APE as a corporate partner - either with your own innovation challenge or by sending employees to the program? Companies can also register their employees as part of a training program.

All information for companies can be found here.

Former Participants

Here you can see a selection of start-ups of former APE participants:

Contact

Jadranka Darul Qualification,
Program Manager APE Linkedin jadranka.darul@sce.de

Jadranka helps entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into concrete actions. She specialises in developing and delivering practical start-up and education programmes, combining structure, project management and insights from learning and motivation psychology. She has many years of experience in classic and agile project management as well as business development, working in areas such as mobility, innovation and sustainable transformation. Her personal motto is: "Doing is like wanting, but better." She is a qualified economist, certified Scrum Master and trained sports mental coach.

Morten Edzards Education
International Projects
Entrepreneurship Education

T: 089 1265 3244

Linkedin morten.edzards@sce.de

Morten Edzards joined the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship in spring 2015. He is a fulltime member of the SCE qualification team and the program manager of the Bavaria Israel Partnership Accelerator (BIPA). In this and other educational formats and workshops, he uses co-creation, innovation methods such as design thinking and real time innovation, and brings together national and international stakeholders. For several years, he accompanied Start-Up League teams as a member of the start-up support team at SCE, supervised EXIST applications and was responsible for the management of the incubator at the Munich University of Applied Sciences. Morten holds a Master's degree in Political Science and History from the University of Heidelberg and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The focus of his studies was Israel and the Middle East. During his studies and afterwards, he worked in a management consulting firm with a focus on change management.

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