Master in Entrepreneurship (M.Sc.)

Full-time study program

Master in Entrepreneurship at HHL: Founding together

You want to start a business but lack the right environment? You have the idea, but you wonder if you can really do it and if you can find the right people to support you? Our Master’s in Entrepreneurship program puts you in an environment that lives the true entrepreneurial spirit: you network with experienced mentors, successful entrepreneurs, strong alumni, future investors and like-minded fellow students who share your mindset. On campus, in our programs and at our numerous start-up events, you will find exactly the support you need, whether it’s an exchange, sparring or your future start-up team. At the same time, you will develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to turn your idea into a marketable startup in a strategic, practical and well-founded way.

Our Master in Entrepreneurship at a Glance

  • Degree: M.Sc. | 120 ECTS
  • Study location: Leipzig
  • Language: English
  • Start: September
  • Duration: 21-24 months
  • Final application deadline: June 30 (non-EU candidates: May 31)
  • Eligibility: Open to all disciplines – for creative minds and future entrepreneurs

Five Reasons for the Master in Entrepreneurship at HHL

  • Do you have an idea but do not know how to found your start-up? With us, you will learn how to turn your vision into a scalable business.
  • Are you missing the right environment? You will find your start-up network here – from mentors to co-founders.
  • Do you want to be an entrepreneur, but still lack a brilliant idea? With design thinking, trend radar and ideation sprints, you can find ideas that really have potential.
  • Are you afraid of taking a step into the unknown? We accompany you from the idea to market entry – step by step.
  • What if your start-up fails? Then you will take your experience, network and a top mentor with you into your next opportunity.

From the initial idea to a market-ready business – with a plan, a network and a double bottom line

Explore and Equip – Year 1

Get fit for your start-up journey: From management skills to mindset –
lay the foundations for your start-up journey here

  • Understand first-hand how successful startups are created
  • Learn to think strategically and plan business models.​
  • Develop the skills to lead your team and make smart decisions.

Build and Validate – Year 2

Test your idea under real conditions and sharpen your business model – with data, prototypes and experts.

  • Validation of your ideas through investors and market analyses
  • Prototyping and growth hacking for your scalable solution
  • Elective courses in finance, marketing and business planning for your proof of concept
Pictogram of a rocket taking off.

Launch and Level Up – Year 2

Bring your startup live – with support from our network and programmes that accompany you directly to market entry

  • Launch your venture with support from the HHL startup programs.
  • Prepare for financing rounds and convince investors.
  • Experience entrepreneurship internationally: in the optional Term Abroad or Study Trip

Welcome Weeks

Welcome Weeks – Your entry into entrepreneurial life

Start your studies at HHL right away with the Welcome Weeks and immerse yourself in the #hhlspirit. Get to know your international fellow students, make your first contacts with founders and build your personal network from day one. This community will not only accompany you through your studies, but also into your future as an entrepreneur.

    Explore and Equip

    Your toolbox for your start-up

    Here you will gather the methodological tools and entrepreneurial mindset to steer your ideas in the right direction. You will familiarise yourself with key business basics and sharpen your awareness of economic interrelationships and sustainable action. Reflection, leadership and communication are just as much a part of your timetable as economic basics. The following courses are therefore integrated into the programs:

    Essentials (10 ECTS)
    Entrepreneurial Excellence (2 ECTS)Strategy for Entrepreneurs (5 ECTS)
    Leading Yourself & Self-Reflection (3 ECTS)Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)
    Ethics & Sustainability (5 ECTS)Business Venturing Project (5 ECTS)
    Problem Solving & Communication (5 ECTS)Business Plan Seminar (10 ECTS)​

      Build and Validate

      Your idea becomes a validated business model

      In this phase, things get concrete: You will learn how to recognise trends and develop business models from them. You build your first prototypes, test your market presence and find out how to grow your project with a smart strategy and the right financing models. Optionally, you can choose supplementary modules that are precisely tailored to your start-up goal.

      Entrepreneurial Finance (5 ECTS)Value Chain Management (5 ECTS)Coding & Data Literacy (5 ECTS)
      Organizational Behavior (5 ECTS)Innovation Management & Corporate Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)Global Strategy (5 ECTS)
      Next Big Thing: Visions for the future (5 ECTS)Online Marketing & Customer Analytics (5 ECTS)Corporate Valuation & M&A (5 ECTS)
      Financial Analysis & Modeling (5 ECTS)Disruptive Technologies & Business Models (5 ECTS)Prototyping & Product Management (5 ECTS)​
      Competitiveness (5 ECTS)Managerial Decision Making (5 ECTS)

        Practical Experience

        Test your ideas in practice

        Your learning experience comes to life here: Whether in the incubator, in the start-up or during your semester abroad – you put your entrepreneurial thinking into practice. Work with founders on real challenges and expand your international network. Gain valuable experience for your own start-up.

        Options:

        • Work in an incubator and learn from experienced founders.
        • Support a startup and contribute your ideas.
        • Gain international experience at one of our 140+ partner universities.
        • Take part in an international study trip.

          Launch and Level up

          From business plan to market entry

          This is not about business games. In the 12-week business plan seminar, you will work on your real start-up project. From the idea to investor readiness, you will develop a viable business model, sharpen your pitch deck and prepare intensively for the next steps. With sparring from experienced founders, VC partners and experts, you will create a resilient plan for your startup – ready for implementation.

          Highlights:

          • Development of your business plan
          • Pitch training and feedback rounds
          • Preparation for financing rounds
          • Support from HHL startup programs and international network

            Master Thesis / Business Plan

            Master’s thesis or business plan – your final project

            At the end of your journey at HHL, you decide: will you write an academic Master’s thesis or develop your business plan to market maturity based on hypotheses? Both paths will help you to deepen your knowledge and sharpen your strategy. You will take the next step towards your future and set up a company both theoretically and practically.

              Your network is your capital – we open the right doors for you

              You can have the best idea or the most convincing product – without the right contacts, it will be difficult to turn it into a successful company. That’s why the Master in Entrepreneurship at HHL not only gives you knowledge, but also access to an exclusive network of founders, investors and innovation partners. Make use of it and really move your project forward.

              Networked right from the start

              During your studies, you will build up a resilient network: You will meet successful founders, business angels and representatives of leading venture capital funds. This not only creates valuable contacts, but also real partnerships that can take your startup to the next level.

                Mentoring and Coaching

                Individual founder coaching sessions and personal mentoring give you the sparring you need to sharpen your business model. Our experts support you in recognizing market potential, optimally preparing you for meetings with investors and mastering the next financing rounds.

                  Alternative career paths

                  If you do not want to start your own business straight after graduating, you are still ideally positioned: The HHL Career Development Team will provide you with personalised support for your entry into startups, venture capital firms, consulting or the innovation departments of large companies. At networking events such as Career Day, the Startup Career Fair, Fin Nights or Digital Nights, you will make contacts early on – for example with companies such as McKinsey, Zalando, Roland Berger, Bosch or Mister Spex. Young startups such as Kale & Me or Scaleon are also regular participants. During company visits, you will also meet employers such as SAP, Porsche, Puma or eBay – directly on site. Whether it’s a startup, a consultancy or a corporate innovation: We help you to find your own path.

                    Our Startup Ecosystem

                    HHL Digital Space – The HHL Incubator

                    The HHL Digital Space is located on our Leipzig campus and offers a free 12-week incubation program for early-stage founders to get your business off the ground. Our incubator brings founders together with established companies to help them master the challenges of digital business models. With regular events such as Founders Talks, Market Day and Launch Day, our program offers the perfect stage to present your company to investors and experts. More about the HHL Digital Space

                    SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator

                    If you have completed the HHL Digital Space program, the SpinLab Accelerator – an HHL spin-off led by HHL alumnus Dr Eric Weber – is the place to take things to the next level. The six-month program is designed to foster growth with a no-nonsense mentality. SpinLab is located in Leipzig’s creative centre, the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei (Leipzig Cotton Mill), and offers emerging companies access to advice, resources, partner networks and the infrastructure they need to develop and succeed. More about SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator

                    Your path to founding a company – structured, guided, feasible

                    With us, you do not have to go through the jungle of possibilities alone. From the initial idea to the prototype, from the first customers to the investor meeting – we accompany you every step of the way. As part of our Masters in Entrepreneurship, you will have the opportunity to complete three individual programs within just one year, which build seamlessly on each other and provide you with optimal support in the initial phases of your entrepreneurial journey. You will develop your idea in the Business Plan Seminar in close cooperation with our incubator HHL DIGITAL SPACE, test it on the market in the brand-new Traction Lab and prepare it for the next growth phase in SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator.

                    Business Plan Seminar (12 weeks) | From the idea to the real start-up

                    Your entrepreneurial journey begins in the HHL DIGITAL SPACE. In four agile sprints, you will develop your idea into a validated business model and found a real company together with your team. You will conduct user interviews, test your assumptions and receive targeted feedback from experienced founders, coaches and professors. Two central milestones, the Market Day at the halfway point and the Launch Day at the end, give you the stage to pitch your idea to investors and experts.​
                    Your result: a real startup, a viable business model and the entrepreneurial mindset to move forward.​

                    Traction Lab (10 weeks) | Your idea meets the market

                    This format is also anchored in the HHL DIGITAL SPACE. The aim now is to generate initial market reactions. In the Traction Lab, you will work on realizing your concept, further develop your MVP and launch your first marketing and sales activities. You will receive targeted coaching and learn what really matters in the early startup phase.
                    Your result: first users, customers or partners and confirmation that your concept is working.

                    SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator (6 months) | Your springboard to scale

                    Your startup is ready for the next level! Now it is time to make it really big. In the SpinLab, you will receive six months of intensive support in developing, financing and scaling your startup on the market. You will work with experienced mentors, meet investors and partners from the industry and become part of one of the most successful startup ecosystems in Germany. EUR 535 million in capital has been invested in SpinLab to date. 86 per cent of the start-ups are still active after three years. Participation is free of charge and focused on realising your goals.
                    Your result: a funded and strong company with a resilient network that will carry you forward after the program.

                    Get to know our founder Irene

                    Irene Klemm, HHL graduate and successful co-founder of the tech startup Edurino, talks about her personal journey as a successful entrepreneur in challenging times.

                    About Edurino
                    Edurino’s vision is to teach children digital and future skills through play. We are rethinking playful learning and developing a hybrid play-learning system that combines hardware and software.

                    Entrepreneurship numbers we are proud of

                    #1
                    Entrepreneurial University in Germany

                    Stifterverband Gründungsradar 2025

                    #2
                    Number of startups in relation to student numbers

                    TU Munich Impact Study 2023

                    4
                    Unicorns among HHL alumni companies

                    HHL Entrepreneurship Report 2024

                    >530
                    Startups founded by HHL alumni

                    HHL Entrepreneurship Report 2024

                    >30k
                    Jobs created by HHL alumni

                    HHL Entrepreneurship Report 2024

                    HHL Entrepreneurship Report

                    Hard facts instead of big promises: The HHL Entrepreneurship Report shows how many of our students have already founded a company, which industries are booming and why HHL is worthwhile for founders.

                    Do you still believe in unicorns?
                    So do we.

                    Take the first application step
                    We are looking for people with an entrepreneurial mindset, the drive and the will to take on responsibility. Whether you have already founded a company or are still looking for your idea – the decisive factor is that you want to make a difference. In addition to your grades, motivation, attitude and potential are what count for us.

                    Not sure whether your profile fits?
                    Just let us take a look! With our free profile check, you can quickly find out whether our Master’s in Entrepreneurship is the right next step for you.

                    Free Profile Check Further application information

                    Your business needs capital – so do your studies.
                    Here are your options.

                    Starting a business costs money and knowledge is one of the best investments you can make. The Master in Entrepreneurship at HHL not only gives you the entrepreneurial tools, but also the access to capital that makes your growth possible.

                    Tuition fees

                    The tuition fees for the entire program amount to EUR 37,500. We offer a tuition fee discount if you submit your complete application by the following Early Bird deadlines*:

                    • Early Bird 1: November 30 – Discount: EUR 4,500
                    • Early Bird 2: January 31 – Discount: EUR 3,000
                    • Early Bird 3: March 31 – Discount: EUR 1,500

                    This covers all tuition and examination costs and includes the tuition fees for the semester abroad at one of our partner universities. Of course, you do not have to pay the fees all at once. You pay your tuition fees in four instalments – spread over two years. For further information, see our payment terms.

                    Note: Your tuition fees are tax-deductible as anticipated income-related expenses. Check out our brochure (in German) on this for tips. Please contact your tax consultant for more information.

                    *In order to receive the early bird discount, you will need to submit your application by the above deadlines, as well as submit all missing documents and successfully pass the HHL admissions interview until January 31 (Early Bird 1), March 31 (Early Bird 2) or June 30 (Early Bird 3).

                      Scholarships

                      We are happy to support you in financing your studies. There are various financing options available to you. We also offer scholarships for particularly committed and outstanding applicants. How do you get a scholarship? Impress us not only with your excellent academic achievements, but also with your personality.

                      Scholarship Overview

                        Payment policy

                        Pay your tuition fees in installments!

                        After admission, you pay a deposit of EUR 3,000 . The remaining amounts are divided into four installments and are due on October 1 and March 1 of each academic year.