aptiTUdes.LAB - Innovation Incubation Center
Taubstummengasse 11, 1040, Vienna, Austria
+43 (1) 58801 406 677
office@i2c.tuwien.ac.at

aptiTUdes.LAB

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Not Your Usual Lab...

Technical expertise is crucial - but in today’s world, it’s not enough.

aptiTUdes.LAB is a new initiative by the TU Wien Innovation Incubation Center designed to help students build essential soft skills that complement technical knowledge gained in BSc and MSc studies. Through a series of independent workshops, you’ll sharpen the skills that set innovators and leaders apart - while collaborating with peers from diverse disciplines and connecting with students from other universities. It’s not just about learning; it’s about expanding your network, exchanging ideas, and building bridges across fields and institutions.

Students collaborating

How Does It Work?

  • You can register for up to three workshops per semester.
  • Attending three workshops will earn you a participation certificate recognizing your personal and professional development commitment. You can also register and attend only one or two workshops, but you will not receive a certificate.
  • Each workshop is independent - so you can choose the ones most relevant to your interests and goals.
  • We take your commitment seriously. The number of spots is limited. Therefore, please register only if you are certain you will attend.
Workshops Illustration

Who Can Participate & Registration

aptiTUdes.LAB is open to actively enrolled TU Wien Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Participation is free of charge, and registration ends by March 16th, 2025, 23:59.

Signing up is easy! Click on the registration button below and choose the workshops you want to attend. Spaces are limited, so make sure to register early.

Students signing up for workshops

Become Part of The Community

aptiTUdes.LAB is more than just workshops - it’s a community of curious, driven students committed to growing beyond their technical expertise. Make sure you join us for the kick-off and closing ceremony to network, share ideas, and become part of a supportive community that values personal and professional growth.

Students networking

Why Join aptiTUdes.LAB?

  • Gain valuable skills that enhance your career prospects.
  • Learn from experts in various fields.
  • Meet like-minded students - cross faculty and cross university.
  • Earn a certificate to showcase your dedication to growth.

Ready to level up? Sign up and start building the skills of tomorrow!

Aptitude Labs Image

Workshops & Events

Time: October 31st, 18:00 - 21:00

Location: EI 10 Fritz Paschke HS, Gußhausstr. 27-29 - Neu El (Gußhausstraße 25-29), ground floor, 1040, Vienna

Language: English

Description:

Start Strong. Connect Across Disciplines. Grow Together.

Join us for the AptiTUdes.Lab Kick-off — the official launch of this semester’s workshop series. This event isn’t just an introduction — it’s your first step into a vibrant, cross-disciplinary community. Connect with students from TU Wien, meet future collaborators from different fields, and lay the groundwork for meaningful exchange and teamwork throughout the program.

Expect engaging activities to break the ice, thought-provoking conversations, and a relaxed networking session — with beverages provided by the TU Wien Innovation Incubation Center (i²c).

Agenda:

  • Welcome & Introduction — Discover the purpose of aptiTUdes.Lab and what’s ahead
  • Icebreaker Activities — Spark conversations and collaborations across disciplines
  • Drinks & Informal Networking — Wrap up the evening with new ideas and connections from diverse disciplines

Let’s kick off aptiTUdes.LAB with energy, curiosity, and a strong sense of community!

Time: Nov 18th, 13:00 - 17:00

Location: TBD

Language: English

Description:

Got a problem that won’t let you sleep at night? Learn how to turn it into a startup solution using entrepreneurial design, customer insights, and validation techniques!

Agenda

  • Understand your customer & problem deeply
  • Design your Business Model & Value Proposition
  • Test & Validate: Will your idea actually work?
  • Pitch with Impact & Authenticity

This workshop lays the foundation for…

  • Developing a structured business model using the Business Model Canvas.
  • Identifying and analyze real-world problems in a solution-oriented way.
  • Validating ideas with real customer insights.
  • Delivering impactful and authentic startup pitches.
  • Applying an entrepreneurial mindset to their own projects and careers.

Lecturers:

Christoph Nowotny

Christoph Nowotny, BSc.

Christoph Nowotny is the Founder of Dextrovert, Entrepreneurship & Pitching Trainer and has mentored over 200 startups in pitching and spreading their ideas with the world in an impactful way. As an introvert, Christoph has learnt to use his strengths strategically and see challenges as opportunities - an attitude that helped him to run a martial arts school at the age of 18 and create Europe's largest martial arts system. Today, he uses this experience in his workshops to show people how to develop their unique character traits and improve their communication skills. As an entrepreneurship trainer, at Austrian Startups, founder of Dextrovert communication trainings and podcaster for companies, Christoph has a lot of experience in communication and presentation. His goal is to help particularly introverted talents to step out of the shadows and realise their superpowers.

Time: Nov 11th, 14:00 - 17:00

Location: Seminarraum AA 02 – 1, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Wien (TU Wien main building)

Language: English

Description:

Whether you’re pitching an idea, setting up a partnership, or negotiating your first job offer, negotiation is everywhere in business. In this workshop, you’ll learn the fundamentals of negotiation and how to prepare effectively for different scenarios.

We’ll explore techniques, behaviours, and strategies that help you get from discussion to agreement. Most importantly, you’ll put theory into practice in a group exercise where you’ll step into the negotiator’s seat and experience first-hand how deals are made.

Agenda

  • Negotiation Basics: Structures, principles, and what makes a good deal
  • Preparation is Key: How to research, plan, and set your goals
  • Techniques & Behaviours: Building trust, using tactics, and finding win–win outcomes
  • Practice Round: Group negotiation exercise with reflection and feedback

This workshop lays the foundation for…

  • Understanding how behaviour and communication shape outcomes.
  • Preparing effectively for different types of negotiations.
  • Approaching business negotiations with structure and confidence.
  • Applying proven techniques to create win–win situations.
  • Gaining first-hand experience through a practical group exercise.

Lecturers:

Dragos-Cristian Vasilescu

Univ.Lektor Ing. Dipl.-Ing. Dragos-Cristian Vasilescu, BSc

Dragos-Cristian Vasilescu is a highly qualified negotiation expert with over ten years of experience as a consultant, trainer, lecturer, and program coordinator in negotiation, management, and innovation. He founded vasilescu.pro Solutions to help organisations achieve more efficient and sustainable deals, and co-founded the Austrian Association for Negotiation and Conflict Management. As a lecturer at Vienna University of Technology and a guest lecturer at major Austrian universities, he has trained over 1700 individuals and participated in more than 800 negotiations across three continents. His credentials include a Master’s with honours in Industrial Engineering and Management (focused on international negotiation), membership in leading negotiation organisations (POINT, INTRA), judging in international competitions, and reviewing for negotiation journals.

Time: Nov 20th, 15:00 - 18:00

Location: Seminarraum AE U1 - 4, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Wien (TU Wien main building)

Language: English

Description:

Have an idea, but wondering if it will truly spark interest? The smartest next step isn’t building a product — it’s validating the idea. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to use AI-powered tools to build a professional landing page that tests interest, gathers feedback, and shows you if your idea has traction, all without writing a single line of code.

Agenda:

  • Why Validation Matters: Avoid building something nobody wants
  • Landing Pages as a Tool: From ideas to measurable signals
  • AI in Action: Tools that design, write, and optimize for you
  • Hands-On Build: Create your own validation-focused landing page
  • Test & Iterate: Collect sign-ups, feedback, and data to refine your idea

This workshop lays the foundation for…

  • Understanding validation as the first step in entrepreneurship.
  • Using landing pages as a practical tool to test real audience interest.
  • Applying AI to speed up design, copy, and launch.
  • Measuring traction through data (sign-ups, clicks, feedback).
  • Making smarter decisions about whether to pivot, persevere, or park your idea.

Lecturers:

Julian Netzer

Julian Netzer

Julian Netzer is a serial founder and CEO of kula, a no-code & AI startup incubated at TU Wien’s i²c Innovation Incubation Center. With a clear vision to make app development more accessible, he is part of the Sigma Squared Society, a global community of the world’s most ambitious founders under 26. His appearance on 2 Minuten 2 Millionen (Austria’s leading startup show) drew strong investor interest, helping kula secure over €500K in funding. Building on years of experience in startups and open innovation, Julian is passionate about saving other founders years of struggle by showing them how to validate ideas quickly and turn them into impactful solutions.

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

Language: English

Description:

Coming soon!

Agenda:

  • Why Validation Matters: Avoid building something nobody wants
  • Landing Pages as a Tool: From ideas to measurable signals
  • AI in Action: Tools that design, write, and optimize for you
  • Hands-On Build: Create your own validation-focused landing page
  • Test & Iterate: Collect sign-ups, feedback, and data to refine your idea

This workshop lays the foundation for…

  • Understanding validation as the first step in entrepreneurship.
  • Using landing pages as a practical tool to test real audience interest.
  • Applying AI to speed up design, copy, and launch.
  • Measuring traction through data (sign-ups, clicks, feedback).
  • Making smarter decisions about whether to pivot, persevere, or park your idea.

Lecturers:

Felix Günther

Felix Günther

Felix Günther is a Vienna-based venture architect, founder, and startup mentor with a strong track record in turning ideas into ventures that truly meet customer needs. At WhatAVenture, a leading corporate venture builder, he worked on validating business cases through experiments and MVPs, contributing to initiatives like SolarCircle, which made photovoltaic solutions accessible to Austrians nationwide.

With a background spanning economics, behavioral science, and hands-on venture building, Felix helps founders and organizations sharpen their customer discovery and demand-driven innovation skills. He has led workshops at universities, mentored startups across entrepreneurship programs, and now drives FIVE MORE, a venture dedicated to unlocking growth through explorative sales and understanding market demand. Passionate about bridging innovation and real-world needs, Felix equips teams to validate assumptions early and design solutions that resonate with their users.

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

Language: English

Description:

Want to build something that truly matters? This workshop helps you explore global challenges, connect them with your own strengths and passions, and turn them into viable, impactful business ideas.

Agenda:

  • Understanding why we need a new approach to building ventures — and why people who are leaving a legacy are happier
  • Reflection: What global & local challenges concern you most?
  • Introduction to the UN Sustainable Development Index
  • Ikigai vs effective Altruism: finding purpose at the intersection of passion, skills, and impact
  • Introduction to Design Thinking to help you continue your journey successfully

This workshop lays the foundation for…

  • Recognizing global challenges as opportunities
  • Developing a purpose-driven mindset for entrepreneurship
  • Continuing your journey toward creating meaningful and impactful ventures

Lecturers:

Sarah Sommerauer

Title & Position: Impact Strategist & Social Start-up Founder

Sarah Sommerauer has worked with some of the world’s biggest events – from the Olympic Games to the UN Climate Conference – supporting them not just in becoming more sustainable, but also in maximizing their impact and leaving a positive legacy.

Having founded the social start-up Sustainable Events Academy three years ago, and working as a speaker and guest lecturer at various universities, she empowers others to drive positive change through knowledge and action.

Combining her experience from large-scale projects with her own start-up journey, Sarah now supports students and young entrepreneurs in developing business models with purpose—ventures that not only work economically but also leave a lasting legacy.

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

Language: English

Description:

Great technical minds often carry hidden assumptions about marketing and sales — like believing “a broad offering is always better than a narrow one” or that “sales means pushing things people don’t want.” These patterns aren’t mistakes, but they can quietly limit how far an idea travels.

In this workshop, we’ll surface and rethink some of the most common thinking patterns that keep innovative ideas from gaining traction. Together, we’ll explore how shifting perspectives can help you connect more effectively with customers, build clarity into your offering, and see marketing and sales as natural extensions of your entrepreneurial journey.

Agenda:

  • Welcome & Introduction
  • Skill-based Thinking Patterns
  • Offer-based Thinking Patterns
  • Customer-based Thinking Patterns
  • Sales-based Thinking Patterns
  • General Thinking Patterns
  • Open Discussion
  • Closing & Next Steps

This workshop lays the foundation for:

  • Understanding the role of marketing & sales in entrepreneurship
  • Making better decisions by spotting and replacing unhelpful assumptions
  • Building a business that feels both successful and fulfilling

Workshop holder:

Peter Holzer

At it's core, Peter helps technicians to understand the importance of sales and marketing, especially when it comes to business. As a management consultant and strategic advisor, he works closely with CEOs and founders of small and medium businesses and helps them build better and more successful companies.

After 6 years in sales and a parallel 2-year-education in marketing & management he quit his job and studied computer science at TU Wien. Once he finished his studies, he started to develop software for companies as a single freelancer. Gradually he built his agency by growing his team and his client base. After some years employing up to 9 people, he decided to quit his agency and follow his true passion: supporting and motivating others to live up to their full potential.

In addition to the work with his clients, Peter writes books, gives public talks, and shares his experiences and knowledge frequently on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

Language: English

Description

The startup journey often feels like a sprint, but real impact comes from playing the long game. In this workshop, we’ll step away from the day-to-day hustle and explore how to design a life where entrepreneurial ambition and personal well-being reinforce each other instead of competing.

You’ll learn frameworks for setting long-term goals, balancing private life and startup building, and avoiding the all-too-common trap of burnout. Through reflection, group discussions, and practical exercises, we’ll uncover how to align your work with your values and design routines that keep you energized for the challenges ahead.

This is not about slowing down ambition — it’s about making sure the way you build is sustainable, fulfilling, and something you don’t need to “escape” from.

Agenda

  • Welcome & Introduction
  • The Startup Hustle vs. The Long Game – where the conflict lies
  • Longevity Goals: Defining what success means beyond short-term wins
  • Frameworks for balancing ambition and well-being
  • Practical exercises: Mapping your own “long game” strategy
  • Group discussion & peer insights
  • Closing & Takeaways

This workshop lays the foundation for:

  • Recognizing the importance of long-term sustainability in entrepreneurship
  • Defining personal longevity goals alongside business goals
  • Building balance into your life without sacrificing ambition
  • Designing a life that feels energizing instead of draining

Workshop holder:

Laurin ATIL-AKANTISZ

Laurin ATIL-AKANTISZ is a seasoned consultant and project manager deeply committed to creating innovative, sustainable solutions in architecture and real estate. With over seven years’ experience, he specializes in guiding organizations through change and workplace transformation at M.O.O.CON, using collaborative, creative, and agile methods such as LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and Scrum. Laurin’s dynamic workshop facilitation style empowers participants, blending hands-on engagement with a cheerful, motivating approach.

He brings both expertise and infectious enthusiasm to every session—ensuring practical impact and memorable experiences. Fluent in English and French, Laurin is known for his focus on well-being, performance, and purpose. His workshops foster teamwork, creativity, and actionable results, making him a sought-after moderator for events, team-building, and strategic project launches.

Time: May 5th, 16:00 - 20:00

Location: Seminarraum CHEG - ETIT, Gußhausstraße 25-25a, 1040, Vienna

Language: English

Description:

Celebrate Achievements. Connect For The Future.

As the aptiTUdes.Lab workshop series comes to a close, we invite you to join us for a memorable evening of reflection, recognition, and connection. This event is about celebrating the skills you’ve gained, the collaborations you’ve built across disciplines and universities, and the community you are now a part of.

We’ll be awarding participation certificates to those who completed three workshops — but the journey doesn’t end here. By taking part in aptiTUdes.Lab, you’ve joined a growing network of curious, driven individuals who support each other’s growth and success.

Let’s come together one last time — for good conversations, new connections, and drinks provided by the TU Wien Innovation Incubation Center (i²c) — and carry the spirit of aptiTUdes.Lab forward.

Agenda:

  • Welcome & Reflections — Looking back at what we’ve achieved together
  • Certificate Ceremony — Recognizing your commitment and participation
  • Cross-Disciplinary Networking — Connect with fellow participants and collaborators
  • Drinks & Informal Networking — Celebrate the end of the series, but not the end of the community

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the format or the application process, please contact:

Alexandra Alexandru

Program Manager, Extended Study on Innovation