Post by Dr. Nino Tomini

Sometimes new programs don’t start with a pitch deck — they start with a conversation. In May, Dr. Maurice Steinhoff and I spent time discussing a recurring challenge: many startups don’t fail because of a lack of ideas, but because they lack the right structure and guidance at the right time. That discussion sparked what later became the Traction Lab: A program that supports startups in professionalization in marketing, sales, finance and organizational development. This week, together with our team, we turned that idea into reality at the HHL DIGITAL SPACE - The Digital Transformation Platform Launch Day in Leipzig. At R42 | Games Hub & Accelerator, our startups from Batch #13 of the Incubation Program and Batch #1 of the Traction Lab came on stage and pitched their startup and they absolutely delivered. I had the privilege of moderating the day together with Dr. Maurice Steinhoff and Joshua Barthel. Across the stage: 14 startup teams, openly sharing where they stand, what they’ve learned, and where they’re heading next. Throughout the programs, we worked closely with the founders — designing the formats, coaching teams, challenging assumptions, and helping translate ambition into execution. Our two programs address different founder needs: The Incubation Program supports early ideas with a clear, hypothesis-driven path toward validation and Go-To-Market. The Traction Lab works with launched startups that are ready to scale, sharpen Product–Market–Fit, and prepare for fundraising. 🏆 Congratulations to our award winners 🏆 TGFS Cash Award: INPHERA — congrats to Christian Cramer-Clausbruch, Tobias Klemke & Philipp Gächter 🏆 Traction Lab Wildcard: RefuelU — congrats to Johannes Max Gollmann & Marie Domschke 🏆 TGFS Founders Coaching: Megunto — congrats to Tim Berthold & Emma Haley A big thank you to our jury for their candid feedback and deep startup expertise: Yannick Harkner (Cusp Capital), Christian John, CPEA (TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen), Gerd Robertz, Prof. Dr. Thor Stephan Stubner (Monkfish Equity), Natalia Ahmadian (Stage Two) and Falk Trietsch (SIVentures (prev. Smart Infrastructure Ventures). 👉 If this resonates: You’re at the idea stage and want clarity on what to build and for whom — let’s talk about the Incubation Program. You’re already live but need traction, focus, or growth momentum — let’s talk about the Traction Lab. We’re building the next generation of founders — and we’re just getting started. 🚀 📸 © Elisa Vetter/HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management