KLU SPARK: New Innovation and Startup Center in Hamburg
Kühne Logistics University (KLU), headquartered in Hamburg’s HafenCity, has launched KLU SPARK, a new innovation and startup center. The team’s approach: Those who get involved here are shaping the future. In a short time, KLU SPARK has opened up new perspectives for more than 1,000 participants in its events and helped them network with one another. Initial project partners include CMA CGM, Hoyer, Kühne+Nagel, Hamburg Invest, and Impossible Founders.
The innovation and startup center is aimed at various groups: Companies connect with potential employees and their fresh ideas through interactive event formats. To do so, they bring their business challenges to the table. All KLU students and alumni are invited to further develop their entrepreneurial skills through workshops, hackathons, and other activities. In the incubation program for KLU talent interested in starting a business, initial ideas are nurtured all the way through to launch.
Mariella Sinderhauf, Head of KLU SPARK: “KLU SPARK is a playground and real-world lab for anyone who wants to shape the future. Here, students, companies, and founders test ideas under real-world conditions – with the freedom to experiment. It’s about taking responsibility and taking action – even in times of uncertainty.”
Prof. Dr. Andreas Kaplan, President of KLU: “At KLU, we combine academic excellence with a clear focus on practical application. With KLU SPARK, we are consistently expanding this approach: We not only empower future leaders to make strategic, data-driven decisions, but also create space for experimentation, co-creation, and genuine innovation – here in Hamburg and beyond.”
Strengthening Hamburg as an Innovation Hub, Supporting Founders
KLU SPARK is actively involved in Hamburg’s innovation ecosystem, among others as a co-host of the Young Makers Festival (Hamburg Invest) and the iF Pioneers Demo Day Summer ’26 (Impossible Founders). Other network partners include Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce, La French Tech Hamburg, and Startup City Hamburg (IFB).
KLU SPARK supports students and alumni who want to start a business by providing coaching, feedback on their ideas, and guidance as they build their first company. The new incubation program has been launched with eight founders. Innovation topics include reducing urban waste through machine learning, smart medical devices, and deep-tech maintenance of production sites. “Hamburg has a dynamic startup ecosystem, and we are actively contributing to it with the entrepreneurial ideas of our students and alumni,” said Sinderhauf.
A Partner for Companies in Innovation and Recruitment
Mariella Sinderhauf: “We’re looking for strong partners with whom we can strengthen companies’ innovative capacity from within. What makes our approach unique is that students and companies work together as equals to shape the future.” KLU SPARK offers partnerships through short formats such as the “Beyond Now” Innovation Day, the “MBA Hackathon,” or a guest lecture by C-level executives as part of the practice-oriented “Empowerment Skills Course.” In addition, there are longer-term projects, such as a student research assignment as part of a capstone project.
About KLU SPARK
KLU SPARK is the entrepreneurship and innovation community at Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg. SPARK brings together students, companies, founders, and academic experts to transform ideas into prototypes and real-world solutions. SPARK combines KLU’s Operations Mindset with entrepreneurial energy.
More Information:
- Presse photos for download (link valid until 20.8.2026, copyright: KLU)
- KLU SPARK
- Mariella Sinderhauf, Head of KLU SPARK: spark@klu.org and LinkedIn
