The TUM SEED Center participated in the TUM Sustainability Day 2026 at the Garching Campus, contributing both through on-site exchange and an impulse session on sustainable entrepreneurship in the Global South.

Throughout the day, the team engaged with students, researchers, and practitioners, presenting how the SEED Center works at the intersection of sustainable energy, entrepreneurship, and policy. The discussions reflected the Center’s broader mission: advancing solutions that address energy access challenges while creating economic opportunities in underserved regions.

Impulse Session: Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Global South

As part of the official program, the SEED Center hosted an impulse session on Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Global South, moderated by Prof. Dr. Frank-Martin Belz. The session brought together perspectives from academia and practice, focusing on the realities of implementing sustainable energy solutions on the ground.

Rather than abstract concepts, the discussion highlighted operational challenges, such as scaling business models, navigating local contexts, and ensuring long-term viability. A key takeaway was the importance of linking energy access with productive use and local value creation, moving beyond infrastructure provision towards sustainable economic impact.

From Exchange to Impact

The Sustainability Day provided a platform to connect SEED’s work with a broader audience at TUM. Conversations at the booth and during the session consistently pointed to one core issue: access to energy alone is insufficient without viable business models and local ownership structures.

This aligns with the SEED Center’s ongoing approach, which combines research, teaching, and real-world implementation, particularly through its collaboration with partner universities and living labs in the Global South.

Looking Ahead

Participating in the TUM Sustainability Day reinforced the relevance of SEED’s work within the wider sustainability discourse at TUM. It also underlined the need to continue bridging academic insights with practical implementation, especially in contexts where energy access directly shapes economic and social development.