Lusatia is brimming with ideas: STAR*PARADE 2026 gets off to a flying start with a new record

Lusatia is brimming with ideas, and there are more and more of them. By the closing date for entries on 31 August, 120 applications had been received for this year’s STAR*PARADE. This means the Lusatian ideas competition has surpassed the record of 100 applications set just last year.

We won’t reveal just yet what exciting ideas the organising team has received this year. One thing is already certain, however: the range of ideas is vast. Applications were received in the categories of services, trade & tourism, crafts, health, technology & digital, culture & creative, social entrepreneurship, and school pupils.

You’ll soon be able to experience first-hand the ideas behind these entries and meet the people bringing them to life. As the application phase draws to a close, the next stage begins for the participants. In a series of workshops, they will work on their business ideas and presentations and prepare for their pitches to the expert juries.

The first ideas will take to the stage on 11 September

This year’s series of pitch events kicks off on 11 September 2026. At the Kulturschiff Senftenberger See in Großkoschen, the first participants will present their ideas in the categories of services, trade & tourism and skilled trades to the respective juries. The launch event is being organised jointly by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Crafts in Cottbus and Dresden.

Over the next two months, the pitch events will continue at various venues across Lusatia. There, participants in the remaining categories will present their ideas to the respective specialist juries. It’s about more than just a convincing pitch: the events bring founders and innovators together with experts, businesses and supporters, creating space for feedback, new contacts and the next step on the journey from idea to implementation.

Attractive prizes await the winners. The STAR*PARADE is also made possible by a strong network of partners and sponsors who support the competition and assist the participants on their journey.

The highlight of the STAR*PARADE: the grand final in the Audimax

On 5 November 2026, everything will finally come together in the Audimax at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg. At the grand final, the best ideas from the STAR*PARADE will be honoured.

Anyone who has attended one of the last two finals knows that this evening is far more than a traditional awards ceremony. The focus is not only on the winners, but also on the ideas, the people behind them and the shared entrepreneurial spirit of Lusatia. The audience can look forward to a special evening featuring exciting ideas, inspiring people and plenty of opportunities to meet others from the Lusatian start-up scene.

Anyone wishing to experience the final live can complete registration now. Tickets are free, but the number of seats in the Audimax is limited.

Together for start-up ideas from Lusatia

The STAR*PARADE is a joint project involving numerous stakeholders from the Startup Lausitz start-up ecosystem. These include the Startup Lausitz Start-up Advisory Service, the Startup Lausitz Accelerator, the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the Cottbus Chamber of Crafts (HWK), the Dresden Chamber of Crafts (HWK), the Cottbus Economic Development Agency, the Lausitz Economic Initiative, as well as the BTU projects Lausitz Science Park, Energy Innovation Centre and the BTU Founders’ Service.

Together with other partners and sponsors, they contribute their expertise, networks and support to the STAR*PARADE. Their shared aim is to raise the profile of people with good ideas, connect them with one another and support them in further developing their projects in Lausitz.

Further information and all dates can be found at www.starparade.info