The STAR*PARADE Final 2026 at the BTU

As the host, BTU is opening its doors to bring together academia, business and the start-up spirit in one place.

The STAR*PARADE continues to grow: this year, once again, more people than ever before have presented their ideas to expert juries. The spectrum ranges from services, retail and tourism, through to crafts, health, the cultural and creative industries and social entrepreneurship, right up to the technology and digital category. School pupils were also represented with their own ideas. The pitch events have been taking place at various venues across Lusatia since September. Now, the teams from these pitches are coming together in the BTU’s Audimax. Many of the participating teams consist of BTU students and staff, particularly in the Technology and Digital category, which covers hardware and software. The BTU is also heavily involved on the organisational side, including through the Lausitz Science Park, the EIZ and the Founders' Service.

The final is far more than a traditional awards ceremony. With the STAR*PARADE, the organisers aim to make a difference in Lusatia, and this is particularly evident at the final: the recognition of the best ideas is combined with entertainment, personal encounters and plenty of opportunity for discussion. People from the worlds of science, business and society come together, discover new ideas and forge contacts. The BTU provides the ideal setting for this: as a university at the heart of the region, it stands for research, innovation and structural change in Lusatia – and thus for precisely the themes that take centre stage at the final. Over the past few years, the event has become a firm fixture in the Lusatia calendar of events. The number of participants giving pitches is growing every year, and the organisers are expecting more guests than ever before at this year’s final.

The programme for the final: On 5 November, the winners in all categories will be announced and presented with their awards. An audience award will also be presented: during the final, the audience can vote for their favourite among the winners of all categories, who will receive an e-bike as a prize. There will be plenty of opportunities for networking before and after the awards ceremony. In an exhibition area, the participating teams will present their projects and start-up ideas. Guests can meet the teams in person, ask questions and strike up a conversation with them.

About the STAR*PARADE

The STAR*PARADE is a joint project involving numerous stakeholders from the Startup Lausitz start-up ecosystem. With the BTU as its academic partner, the competition – in collaboration with stakeholders from the business sector and start-up support organisations – helps people to further develop their ideas and bring them to fruition in the Lausitz region.