HSBA is Hamburg’s leading university for entrepreneurship. This is once again demonstrated by the latest Entrepreneurial Impact Study 2026 from the Technical University of Munich, which examines the entrepreneurial success of 437 higher education institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Whilst large universities naturally dominate the absolute start-up figures, HSBA ranks among the top institutions when entrepreneurial success is measured in relation to the size of the institution.
The results are particularly impressive in the categories that reflect the sustainable success of entrepreneurial activities. HSBA ranks 12th in terms of start-ups per 1,000 students and 10th in terms of funded start-ups. In terms of the economic impact of its founders – measured by jobs created and capital raised – it even ranks among the leading higher education institutions across the entire DACH region.
The results underscore a profile that has characterised the HSBA since its foundation: here, entrepreneurship is not a single subject but part of the university’s very identity. Through close collaboration with Hamburg’s business community, small learning groups, entrepreneurial teaching methods and a consistent focus on practical application, the university develops individuals who set up businesses, drive innovation and take on responsibility.
