Under the theme "Responsible, Systemic, Democratic – New Trajectories in Entrepreneurship Education," the conference brought together over 200 participants from across Europe and beyond to rethink the future of entrepreneurship education – not as a narrow business tool, but as a transformative societal practice.
Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer, CEO of SCE and Professor of Entrepreneurship at HM, emphasized in his address:
“The entrepreneurship community and entrepreneurship education have evolved over the years. Especially in three areas: system thinking, the use of AI, and finally putting more focus on educating entrepreneurial personalities – instead of just tracking KPIs like revenue and return.”
Responsible: From Ethics to Impact
Entrepreneurship education is no longer just about building ventures – it’s about building futures. The “Responsible” sessions explored how pedagogies can actively foster ethical awareness, social responsibility, and sustainable action.
Contributions spanned a wide range: from “Pedagogies of Hope” that aim to spark agency and optimism in learners, to models like Theory U that combine cognitive, emotional, and practical learning dimensions. Others raised critical questions about the ethical dilemmas faced by educators, or how to balance impact and growth in responsible scaling.
The shared understanding: Responsible entrepreneurship education must go beyond content – it must be lived and embodied by both educators and learners, creating spaces where values are not only discussed, but practiced.
Democratic: Cultivating Voice, Belonging and Agency
The “Democratic” sessions brought forward powerful examples of entrepreneurship education as a means for inclusion, empowerment, and transformation. Participants explored how EE can serve as a catalyst for democratic citizenship, particularly when it amplifies underrepresented voices and supports marginalized groups.
Whether it was the journey of persons with disabilities gaining access to entrepreneurial pathways, the transformation of former gang members into value creators, or the emotional dynamics of team-based learning, each contribution emphasized that democratic entrepreneurship education is not just about open participation — it's about creating meaningful access, nurturing aspiration, and building trust.
These sessions reminded us that belonging precedes becoming — and that education must first make room for students’ realities and identities if it wants to ignite real entrepreneurial agency.
Systemic: Seeing the Whole, Acting in Context
Entrepreneurship doesn’t happen in a vacuum — and neither should entrepreneurship education. The “Systemic” sessions shed light on the need for approaches that are context-sensitive, interdisciplinary, and embedded within larger ecosystems.
From research on regional university-industry collaboration to explorations of how entrepreneurial decision-making logics evolve, participants reflected on how we can better understand the interconnected conditions that enable – or hinder – entrepreneurial learning.
Key themes included the development of entrepreneurial competencies in inclusive education, and the role of ecosystem dynamics in supporting student learning. In short: We must learn to think and teach in systems if we want entrepreneurship education to meaningfully address today’s complex realities.
A Distinctive Format: No PowerPoints, Just Dialogue
Unlike traditional academic gatherings, the 3E Conference champions a non-hierarchical and interactive format. There were no monologues or one-way presentations. Instead, the conference emphasized Professional Development Workshops (PDWs), roundtable sessions based on pre-read materials, and peer huddles that encouraged deep reflection, co-creation, and iterative learning. More than 40 PDWs explored themes ranging from AI-enhanced learning, Doughnut Economics, and inclusive pedagogies to embodied systemic thinking.
Celebrating Excellence: Recognizing outstanding contributions
PDW Award
- Lucia Walsh & Olivia Freeman for their work on Doughnut Economics and Embodied Pedagogy
- Noah Bellwald, Alexander Fust, Dr. Birgit Stelzer & Lena Schmid on AI-Powered Expert Interviews in EE
- Yvette Baggen & Bart Derre on Design-Science Approaches for Entrepreneurial Learning
3E Catalyst Award
- Introducing Ethnovation: Integrating Ethics and Innovation Into the Undergraduate Curriculum
Speaker: David Nawrath and Anne Tryba - Head, Hand, and Heart in SEE. Assessing the Potential of Theory U in Social Entrepreneurship
Speaker: Mona D. Mirtsch and Britta Gossel - Negotiating the Responsibilities of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (EE) Educators: Ethical
Dilemmas and Professional Practice in UK Higher Education
Speaker: Emily Beaumont, Alison Price, Leigh Sear, Victoria Mountford Brown and Colin Rigby
European Entrepreneurship Education Award
- Karin Berglund and Karen Verduijn, for their outstanding contributions to the field and their commitment to pushing boundaries
Community, Collaboration, and New Momentum
3E 2025 was more than just a conference—it was a collective call to action. As Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Kurczewska, ECSB President, put it in her opening statement:
“Our topic addresses current challenges, not only in our field but in society. Let’s take this event as an opportunity—full of inspiration, full of new ideas and collaborations.”
Indeed, this spirit was palpable throughout the event: from early morning yoga and qi gong sessions to spontaneous hallway conversations, from poster presentations on mental health and innovation to the festive European Entrepreneurship Education Award ceremony at the Bamberger House.
Adding a new layer of connection, this year’s conference was accompanied for the first time by an interactive digital platform, powered by the Start for Future initiative. The platform provided access to the program, paper submissions, networking tools, and discussion spaces—extending the reach of 3E far beyond Munich. Be part of something bigger – Join the SFF Platform.
Looking Ahead: 3E 2026 in Bodø, Norway
We close this chapter in Munich with deep gratitude – and we’re already looking forward to the next!
See you at the 3E Conference 2026 which will be hosted by Nord University & the Engage Centre in Bodø, Norway, from 20–22 May 2026.
Until then, let’s stay connected, stay critical – and continue building entrepreneurship education that’s caring, courageous, and capable of facing the challenges of our time.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic, tune in to the Lehrfunk podcast episode recorded at 3E: “Entrepreneurship Education Needs Rethinking – Responsible, Systemic, Democratic”. Listen here.
