IdeaLAB

From bold idea to your startup.

The Idea Lab is where great ideas get the time, mentoring, and support to become real ventures - starting with one massive hackathon, and ending with a shot at funding.

It all kicks off on October 22, when hundreds of students take over WU Forum for the biggest hackathon WU has ever run. From there, only the strongest teams get selected into the exclusive Idea Lab program, where the real work begins.

It begins with a 12-hour hackathon open to students from any university. From there, the best teams are selected into the exclusive Idea Lab, where handpicked ideas get months of hands-on mentoring, coaching, and testing. It all wraps up at our Closing Pitch Event, where the strongest team wins a wildcard into Venture Lab, our incubator program — with the chance to receive up to €50,000 in investment from WU Ignite Ventures.

Step 1: The Hackathon

October 22 · 10:00–22:00 · WU Forum

12 hours. Four tracks. One garage for your startup idea.

Come with your own idea or find one on the spot, then build it out with peer coaching and expert input all day long — from first concept to a real prototype and pitch.

Open to students from all universities.

Step 2: Idea Lab

Not every idea makes it past the hackathon — only the best ones do.

Selected teams get an exclusive spot in Idea Lab: weeks of hands-on, individual mentoring and coaching to stress-test, sharpen, and grow their idea into something investable. Direct access to experienced entrepreneurs.

This is where good ideas become real startups.

Step 3: Demo Day

All Idea Lab teams pitch their sharpened ideas in front of a jury of founders and industry experts.

The best team walks away with a wildcard for Venture Lab, our incubator program — with the chance to receive up to €50,000 in investment from WU Ignite Ventures.

Join the Waitlist

Get on the list and be the first to know when applications open.

Be part of the biggest hackathon WU has ever seen. Don't miss out.

Pre-register for the Hackathon

Got any questions?

Feel free to reach out to us at idealab@wu.ac.at with your questions!