Event details

GIM: Sports Connect – Entrepreneurship. Innovation. Movement.

Start date
09/24/2026 - 5:00 PM
End date
09/24/2026 - 8:00 PM
Location
Sportzentrum Mergentheimer Str. / Judenbühlweg 11
Teaser
Where sports meet entrepreneurship: A "Gründen in Mainfranken" (GIM) event that brings together elite sports, startups, entrepreneurship, and the regional business community. Experience inspiring keynote talks, panel discussions, live startup pitches, and a relaxed networking session with a sporting twist—and discover how sport and entrepreneurship can drive innovation together.
Description

Why Sports & Startups?

In the Mainfranken region, elite sports and a thriving startup ecosystem go hand in hand. Both are driven by the same core values: teamwork, ambition, courage, mental resilience, and innovation.

This event explores how insights from the world of sports can help startups grow—and how startups, in turn, can drive innovation for sports clubs, athletes, and entire regions.

Event Goals

🔗 Foster interdisciplinary collaboration
Bring together startups, businesses, the sports community, and academia.

💡 Showcase innovation
Discover how entrepreneurial ventures benefit from principles of high-performance sports.

🤝 Spark projects and partnerships
Encourage new ideas, collaborative initiatives, and long-term partnerships.

⚽ Position sport as a driver of innovation
Explore sport as a platform for leadership, team dynamics, digital transformation, and innovation.

🌍 Strengthen the Mainfranken region
Highlight GIM as a catalyst for networking, innovation, and regional development.

Agenda

Keynotes & Best Practices
Hear from elite athletes, coaches, founders, and business leaders as they share their experiences and insights.

Panel Discussion: "What Startups and Sport Have in Common"
A conversation on mindset, leadership, decision-making under pressure, and innovation.

Live Startup Pitches
Innovative startups from SportsTech, HealthTech, Training, and Digitalization present their solutions for athletes, sports clubs, and sports organizations.

Networking & Get-Together
Connect with founders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and innovators in a relaxed, sports-inspired atmosphere.

Panel Speakers

  • Sophia Lick – Founder of MindLeague, Startup Coach & Moderator
  • Lara Wettengel – Mental Performance Consultant
  • Dr. Daniel Sauer – Managing Director, Towergroup GmbH
  • Gerald Zettner – Head of Sports Operations & Chief Financial Officer, Mighty Dogs Schweinfurt
  • Ferdinand Winter – Racing Driver, ADAC GT4 Germany (Porsche) & NextGen, TRIPS GROUP
  • Silke Mayer Nowitzki – Chairwoman of the Board, Dirk Nowitzki Foundation
    Registration