How can social innovation generate societal benefit while also contributing to economic success? This question is at the centre of this year’s “University Meets Business” event, hosted by the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at the University’s City Campus.

Under the theme ‘Societal Benefit, Economic Success – Social Innovation as an Opportunity’, the established event series brings together stakeholders from academia, business and regional practice. Its aim is to open up new perspectives on entrepreneurial activity, jointly discuss current challenges, and further strengthen collaboration between the University and industry.

The event is aimed particularly at companies in north-eastern Brandenburg that are engaged in sustainable transformation processes, social innovation and future-oriented business models, or are seeking new ideas and impulses in these areas.

“The exchange between academia and industry creates genuine added value for both sides: businesses gain access to new academic perspectives and solution-oriented approaches, while we as a university benefit from important impulses for applied research and knowledge transfer through our practice partners,” says Kerstin Lehmann, Head of Research, Start-ups and Knowledge Transfer at HNEE.

The event will begin at 3.00 pm in Building 2 on the HNEE City Campus. The programme will open with coffee and cake, providing an opportunity for informal exchange and networking with regional initiatives and institutions. Participants will be introduced to the services offered by the Social Innovation Transfer Office at the Brandenburg Economic Development Agency (WFBB), opportunities for collaboration with HNEE, and additional support available within the regional innovation and transfer landscape.

The event will then be formally opened by HNEE President Prof. Dr Matthias Barth. In addition, dedicated founders and entrepreneurs from the Barnim-Uckermark region will be recognised. The afternoon’s keynote will be delivered by Prof. Dr Britta Gossel under the title: “Social Innovation – Really? Why Sustainable Added Value Makes Sense in Core Business.”

A particular highlight of the programme is the subsequent BarCamp format, where participants will present and discuss practical examples of social innovation. Topics include digital solutions for sustainable agriculture in the Landwirt.ai pilot project, the HNEE project Inno4Ufo examining how employees can become committed agents of responsibility, socially impactful approaches to agriculture developed by BioBoden e.G., and a practical contribution from Burkhardt Schröder (MAX Holzbau) on business succession.

The event is explicitly designed as an open forum for exchange, creating space for discussion, networking and new ideas.

Further information and registration: https://eveeno.com/hochschule-trifft-wirtschaft-2026

Event details at a glance:

• Date: Thursday, 11 June 2026
• Time: 3.00 pm–8.00 pm
• Venue: HNEE City Campus, Building 2, Eberswalde