Entrepreneurship Summit 2022 – Keynote speech by Prof. Sven Ripsas

Summary

In his keynote speech ‘Paths to a Culture of Entrepreneurship’, Prof. Sven Ripsas talks about the central role of schools and education systems in building a culture of entrepreneurial thinking and action. He makes it clear that entrepreneurship education should not only begin at universities, but must be an essential part of early personality and potential development.

The starting point for his remarks is a cross-sectional EU study that shows that although entrepreneurship education has been considered a key European competence since 2005, it is hardly systematically anchored in Germany. Germany lags significantly behind other European countries, while countries such as Austria are considered role models. There, entrepreneurship education has been firmly anchored in all levels of education through a national agenda supported by five federal ministries.

Prof. Ripsas reports on current initiatives in Germany in which representatives from federal states, universities, ministries and educational associations are joining forces to implement entrepreneurship education in a more sustainable manner. The aim is to move away from individual initiatives by committed teachers towards structural solutions in teacher training, curricula and school development.

The focus is not on training ‘capitalist entrepreneurs’, but on promoting creativity, problem-solving skills, personal responsibility and a desire to shape society. Entrepreneurship education should enable students to develop confidence in their own abilities and actively shape the future as change makers. In conclusion, Prof. Ripsas calls for joining forces, overcoming minor federal differences and working together to change the education system in Germany to make it fit for the future.

Key insights for founders

1. Entrepreneurship begins at school:
Entrepreneurial thinking is an attitude that is formed early on – not just during university or at work.

2. Structures beat individual commitment:
Sustainable impact can only be achieved when entrepreneurial education is systematically anchored, not through the efforts of a few committed individuals.

3. Entrepreneur ≠ capitalist:
Entrepreneurship means problem solving, creativity and responsibility – not primarily profit maximisation.

4. Intrinsic motivation is the key:
Entrepreneurship education strengthens motivation to learn, self-confidence and the ability to implement ideas – skills that are also essential for founders.

5. Change requires cooperation:
Sustainable innovation arises from cooperation across disciplines, institutions and regions – not from parochialism.

About the speaker

Prof. Sven Ripsas is a professor of entrepreneurship and one of the leading thought leaders in entrepreneurship education in Germany. For many years, he has been involved at the interface of education, science, politics and practice in order to systematically anchor entrepreneurial thinking and action in the education system.

As a co-initiator of numerous national and transnational networks, he works with universities, schools, ministries and educational organisations. His particular focus is on teacher training, empirical educational research and the sustainable implementation of entrepreneurship education from primary school to university.

Prof. Ripsas is considered a driving force for an educational transformation that empowers young people to take responsibility, think creatively and actively shape social change.