The Excellence Program – Four Semesters That Will Change Your Life.
Experience Entrepreneurship. Take Responsibility.
Unlock 100% of your entrepreneurial potential in Triathlon’s most exclusive development program for students.
As part of the Excellence Entrepreneurship Certificate, we are launching a new, exclusive 24-month program for students who want to do more than learn about entrepreneurship—they want to experience it firsthand and actively shape it.
What Can You Expect?
As part of the program, alongside your studies, you will gain:
- International experience through a 4–6 week exchange program at a leading international university
- Hands-on work on real-world projects, including budget responsibility and a strong focus on implementation—whether developing a start-up idea or creating initiatives for the student community
- The opportunity to complete the Excellence Entrepreneurship Certificate (60 CP) and systematically integrate entrepreneurship into your degree
- Access to an exclusive community of motivated students, alumni, founders, researchers, and industry partners
- A strong network that lasts beyond your studies
- The opportunity to gain leadership experience and take responsibility for projects, teams, and future cohorts
What’s in It for You?
You can find more information about the program and how it is structured across four semesters via the link below.
Exclusive Network
Connect with other students, alumni, founders, researchers, and industry partners.
Mentoring
Receive personal feedback and fresh perspectives to support your entrepreneurial development.
International Experience
Gain new perspectives during an impactful stay at a leading international university.
Leadership Experience
Take responsibility for projects and teams while developing your own leadership skills.
Access to Start-ups
Gain insights into real-world start-up projects and connect with other founders.
Co-Creation
Bring in your perspective and actively help shape one of the university’s new flagship programs.
Who Are We Looking For?
The program is aimed at students from Saarland University and partner institutions of the Start-up Factory who:
- want to do more than learn about entrepreneurship and actively experience it,
- want to pursue their own ideas or develop new ones,
- are ready to take responsibility and build something together with others,
- want to become part of a long-term network of students, alumni, founders, researchers, and industry partners.
The first cohort will start in October 2026 and will initially consist of 10 to 15 selected students. As this is the first edition of the program, participants’ perspectives and experiences will play an important role in further developing its formats, offerings, and community activities.
Application & Selection
The Excellence Program is designed for ambitious students who want to take responsibility, develop their own ideas, and become part of a strong entrepreneurship community.
Application documents:
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
- Current Transcript of Records
- Evidence of projects, extracurricular engagement, or entrepreneurial activities
Selection process:
- Online application
- Eligibility check
- Personal interview/assessment
- Selection of the first cohort
- Program start
Selection criteria:
- Academic Performance
- Professional Experience
- Leadership
- Extracurricular Activities
- International Experience
We are not looking for perfect CVs or fully established founders. We are looking for people with curiosity, initiative, and the drive to actively shape ideas and make things happen.
Important Dates and Information
The key program details at a glance:
- Online information sessions: September 17, 23 and 28, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Register here!)
- Application deadline for the pioneer cohort: September 30, 2026
- Interviews / Assessment: Early November 2026
- Admission decisions: Mid-November 2026
- Kick-off event: Late November 2026
- Program start: Winter semester 2026/27
- Program language: English
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