How do personal experiences give rise to successful business ideas? What opportunities do international perspectives open up for start-ups and innovation? And how can challenges on the path to self-employment be overcome? The fifth Ostfalia Startup Lunch, taking place on Wednesday 28 October 2026 from 10 am to 2 pm at WOW! WissensOrt Wolfenbüttel, will address these and other questions.
The event is aimed at students, those interested in starting a business, young companies, and key figures from the region’s business and academic communities. The focus will be on international life journeys, entrepreneurial experiences and ideas that transcend cultural and geographical boundaries.
The programme features talks on personal start-up stories:
Alvine Umland, founder of UMLAND, will provide an insight into her personal and entrepreneurial journey. She came to Germany as an international student from Cameroon and, through her studies, vocational training and many years of professional experience, worked her way up to a leadership role. Through her company, she now builds bridges between Germany and Cameroon. Her services combine language teaching, educational support and integration with a focus on fair trade.
Katie Pushkina and Thea Maykl from WeNest demonstrate how traditional building materials can be combined with state-of-the-art technologies. Their approach combines locally available earth-based materials with artificial intelligence, digital architectural planning and robotic 3D printing. The aim is to highlight new approaches to sustainable and resource-efficient construction.
Bárbara Matys Moraes de Macedo presents the work of the Aquarela Frauengruppe e. V. The association supports migrant women and their families as they settle in Wolfsburg and the surrounding region. Through projects focusing on integration, cultural heritage and women’s wellbeing, the initiative promotes interaction, participation and mutual support.
Mariana Solorzano brings a further entrepreneurial perspective to the discussion. Following a failed business partnership, she decided to set up her own business. Today, she is the entrepreneur behind the Aktiv language schools in Braunschweig and Hanover, as well as the Programa Médicos Latinos scheme, which supports Latin American doctors on their journey to Germany. During the panel discussion, she will talk about her experiences, the challenges of entrepreneurship and the courage to break new ground.
Janina Deeke, founder of Bunt Gesagt – Words in Colour, will moderate the event. The bilingual speaker and presenter brings many years of international experience to the table and will lead the programme in both German and English.
In addition to the presentations and panel discussions, the Startup Lunch offers ample opportunity for personal interaction. Over lunch together, participants can network, share experiences and gather fresh inspiration for their own ideas. Through this event format, Ostfalia aims in particular to encourage students to engage early on with entrepreneurial thinking and the diverse opportunities offered by starting their own business. A specific business idea or experience of setting up a business is not required to take part.
Startup Lunch at a glance:
International Ostfalia Startup Lunch
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
10.00 am to 2.00 pm
WOW! WissensOrt Wolfenbüttel, Löwenstraße 1, 38300 Wolfenbüttel
Participation is free of charge. Advance registration is required.
Simply complete the online registration form at:
www.ostfalia.de/startup-lunch-anmeldung (external link, opens in a new window)
