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Hubdate – What’s on Our Minds in May

May has a lot in store: exciting opportunities from the community and good news from SINN Saxony. And May 21 features not one, but two event highlights. We’re glad you’re here.

This Month’s Spotlight:

  • Story Title: One Day, Two Events — Funding Opportunities & Resilient Business Practices on May 21
  • Ideas from the Community: Finally!, Valueverde
  • Events in May: May 21, May 29
  • News from SINN Saxony: SINNkubator Round 5 Has Begun

A Day with Two Powerful Topics — May 21 at Impact Hub Leipzig

Energy crises, fragile supply chains, political uncertainty: The question of how companies can remain agile when operating conditions change faster than planning cycles is more pressing than ever. On May 21, we’ll address this question—in two formats that complement each other perfectly.

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Starting at 2:00 p.m.: Grants & Financing — Opportunities in Saxony

Julia Süß from the Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB) will provide a practical overview of funding and financing options for founders and startups in Saxony: what works and when, what’s worthwhile for whom, and which pitfalls can be avoided. 30 minutes of presentation, followed by a Q&A—free and open to all. Afterward, we invite you to join us for “Cake Thursday” in the kitchen: a time to network, brainstorm, and get to know one another—the perfect transition into the evening program.

To Register for the SAB Event

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Starting at 4:00 p.m.: Resilient Business Practices in Uncertain Times

Together with the Saxony Entrepreneurs’ Association, we’re bringing together practitioners from business and research—with honest figures, concrete measures, and direct dialogue. The program features keynote speeches, including one by Fritz Putzhammer from the Bertelsmann Foundation and the TechSalting team from Chemnitz, as well as moderated workshop sessions where participants can focus on their own challenges. No buzzword bingo—just the issues that are truly on the minds of East German SMEs right now: supply chains, energy costs, de-risking—and how others are tackling them.

Date: May 21, 2026, 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., Impact Hub Leipzig

Tickets: Startups €19, SMEs €39 (includes meals and refreshments)

Register now

Opportunities from the community

Discover an energy cooperative — with valueverde

Our member valueverde has partnered with Impact Hub Leipzig to create a platform where you can discover and join local energy cooperatives directly. If you’re interested, check it out, sign up, and maybe find the right cooperative for you!

Go to the website

Finally! — Monthly Online Exchange for Sustainability Professionals

Once a month, people who promote sustainability in their daily work get together. 30 minutes of inspiration, 30 minutes of peer discussion—in a relaxed atmosphere, online. Organized in cooperation with BAUM e.V.

Date: May 29, 2026, 12:30 p.m., Online

Sign In

Lecture series: Buying, renovating & financing real estate

PlanetHome, Sparda-Bank, DEVK and Sarah Leps are organizing a series of lectures on the topic of buying/selling, renovating and financing real estate – and cordially invite you from our network!

The event is aimed at anyone who is thinking of buying a property and would like to get in touch with all the key players without obligation.

Date: May 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

Venue: Sparda-Bank Berlin, Willy-Brandt-Platz 5, 04109 Leipzig (in the main railway station)

Download information and registration document

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Find Your Co-Founder (TUD|excite)

Do you have an idea but no team yet, or are you looking to join a startup? At this structured matching event in Dresden, you’ll meet the right co-founders and early-stage teams—rather than just networking at random.

Date: May 27, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

Location: TU Dresden

To the registration

Further events

Save the Date: Impact Innovation Day — September 17, 2026

Under the motto “Deep Conversations, Real Impact,” we invite you to join us for Impact Innovation Day. More information will follow shortly. Click [here](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/impact-innovation-day-2026-tickets-1637915432149?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1*1qmyyhi*_up*MQ.._gaNTQ0NTEzODU5LjE3Nzc5NTA4MTA._ga_TQVES5V6SHczE3Nzc5NTA4MDkkbzEkZzAkdDE3Nzc5NTA4MDkkajYwJGwwJGgw).

News from SINN Saxony

SINN is a project that we at Impact Hub Leipzig are implementing in collaboration with strong partners from the nonprofit and social sectors. Our goal: to promote, connect, and raise awareness of social innovations in Saxony.

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Following a rigorous selection process, the fifth round of SINNkubator has begun—featuring ten highly dedicated and diverse social initiatives. From an AI-powered call system for seniors living alone to projects supporting grieving employees, to scholarship opportunities for educationally disadvantaged young people: This range demonstrates just how diverse social innovation in Saxony is currently being conceived.

At the same time, there are several new events in May and June—all free of charge:

SINN x AI is a workshop consisting of three concise 60-minute online sessions in which social innovators learn how to develop an AI solution based on a specific challenge or idea from their everyday work.

The SINN Workshop will take place as part of the SAXEED Startup Forum in Mittweida: a session lasting several hours in which participants will work on social issues in small groups.

And in June, it’s time for the SINNkubator wrap-up again: At the SINN Innovation Stage in Dresden, you can meet the participating projects—and thus some of Saxony’s most exciting social innovations—to exchange ideas, offer support, and network.

Do you have any questions or feedback? Email us at leipzig@impacthub.net or message us in the Space.

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