Creative Destruction Lab holds first next-gen computing session at TUM Campus Heilbronn

The French and German business schools HEC Paris and ESMT Berlin have joined forces with the aim of advancing innovative computing technologies, such as quantum computing, semiconductor technologies, advanced neural networks, unconventional computing, and high-performance computing. The international business schools are hosting their first joint “Next Generation Computing stream session” as part of the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) – a nine-month program that supports seed-stage, science-based ventures working in cutting-edge areas – at the TUM Campus in Heilbronn, Germany.

The Creative Destruction Lab Next Generation Computing stream is a collaboration between the Institute for Deep Tech Innovation (DEEP) at ESMT and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (IEI) at HEC Paris and is supported by the Dieter Schwarz Stiftung.

The Heilbronn session will take place on February 20, 2025, and is organized with the support of the TUM Campus Heilbronn and Campus Founders. It will bring together ventures, mentors, and academic leaders to focus on advancing innovative computing technologies. A panel discussion for mentors and invited guests will include contributions from leading experts of Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, Leibniz Supercomputing Center, PlanQC GmbH, TUM Venture Labs München, and the University of Waterloo.  

The CDL program identifies promising early-stage, science-based startups from around the world, providing them with structured mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, and corporate leaders. The Heilbronn session will set key objectives for the upcoming eight-week sprint, foster peer-to-peer learning to accelerate the commercialization of groundbreaking innovations, and connect the cohort with potential business partners within the Heilbronn ecosystem.

“The hosting of this session in Heilbronn highlights the growing significance of the Heilbronn-Franconia region in the deep-tech sector. TUM is delighted to contribute to this dynamic ecosystem and to foster forward-looking collaborations,” emphasizes Professor Ali Sunyaev, Vice President of TUM Campus Heilbronn, who is co-hosting the event together with the Campus Founders and serving as its moderator.

“The collaborative efforts behind the Next Generation Computing stream embody our commitment to harnessing Europe’s strengths in science and entrepreneurship. Together, we are equipping ventures to unlock the immense potential of these new technologies,” states Eloïc Peyrache, director general and dean of HEC Paris.

“Next-generation computing, from quantum and high-performance computing to advanced AI, is unlocking new possibilities across industries. Through the CDL program, we support startups that leverage these advancements to develop practical, high-impact solutions,” highlights Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT.

“Our vision at Campus Founders is to become an international center of gravity for gravitational center for entrepreneurship and co-innovation. Through the Next Generation Computing program, we are expanding our network and bringing more outstanding startups to the region. We support the collaboration between startups and established companies to drive the application and commercialization of this cutting-edge technology,” explains Oliver Hanisch, CEO of Campus Founders.

The CDL Next Gen Computing stream is jointly operated by CDL-Paris and CDL-Berlin, in partnership with HEC Paris and ESMT, and in cooperation with the Technical University Munich in Heilbronn and Campus Founders. More information may be found here.