The Public Value Academy is a joint initiative by Public Value Hub, PHINEO, and UnternehmerTUM, created to strengthen purpose-driven startups across Germany through high-quality education, robust impact measurement tools, and access to capital.
By combining expertise from impact analysis, entrepreneurship education, and startup infrastructure, the Academy supports founders who aim to build scalable businesses while generating measurable social and environmental value.
Across Germany and Europe, a growing number of founders are committed to building companies that go beyond financial returns. They want to contribute meaningfully to society and the environment. Yet many impact-driven startups continue to face structural challenges: limited access to tailored financing, insufficient visibility, and the complexity of measuring impact while building sustainable, scalable business models.
At Public Value Hub, we see highly motivated founders with strong ideas, but also know that impact entrepreneurship requires the right ecosystem, tools, and knowledge to succeed. The Public Value Academy addresses these needs by providing founders with practical education, strategic guidance, and infrastructure designed specifically for impact-oriented ventures.
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The Public Value Academy builds on the complementary strengths of its partners, united by a shared belief in entrepreneurship as a driver of public value:
• UnternehmerTUM brings over two decades of excellence in startup support. Based in Munich, it helps more than 100 startups each year launch, scale, and connect with investors, corporates, and research partners through its programs, incubators, and deep industry network. Through a unique combination of deep tech expertise, access to venture capital, and one of Europe’s most advanced startup infrastructures, UnternehmerTUM provides founders with everything they need to grow and plays a vital role in turning ideas into scalable solutions that tackle today’s biggest challenges.
• PHINEO is Germany’s leading think-and-do tank and consultancy for impact. With deep expertise in measuring, scaling, and financing social change, PHINEO supports mission-driven organizations, public institutions, and social enterprises in translating values into tangible, measurable outcomes. As the issuer of Germany’s respected “Wirkungssiegel” (Seal of Impact), PHINEO has become a trusted voice in the field of impact analysis and strategy. Their work helps organizations not only understand and communicate their societal contribution, but also unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and funding.
• Public Value Hub is an experienced education provider dedicated to advancing impact entrepreneurship as a force for systemic change. Their mission: to improve the world using the tools of entrepreneurship. Their programs are designed not only to teach business fundamentals, but to foster deep-purpose ventures that aim for measurable, lasting social impact. From developing inclusive and sustainable business models, to launching social startups that improve societies for all, the Public Value Hub champions a new kind of entrepreneurship, one that proves doing good is not only the right thing to do, but a smarter investment.
Backed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the Public Value Academy is set to directly support over 250 startups in its first three years, with hundreds more indirectly benefiting. Here’s what participants can expect:
• A modular learning program covering:
o Social Business Model Design
o Impact Measurement & Management (IMM)
o Sustainability Management & ESG Reporting
o Public Value Creation
o Diversity and Governance
o Impact Fundraising
• A digital impact measurement tool for measuring and analyzing impact, using standards like IOOI and SROI
• Curated matchmaking events connecting startups with impact investors and funding partners
The Public Value Academy is more than a training program. It is part of a broader effort to reshape how entrepreneurship and investment are understood in the 21st century.
The Academy promotes a startup culture in which social impact, scalability, and entrepreneurial ambition are not competing goals, but mutually reinforcing drivers of innovation and societal progress.
From education and infrastructure to impact measurement and access to capital, the Public Value Academy creates the conditions needed for purpose-driven ventures to grow sustainably. Together, Public Value Hub, PHINEO, and UnternehmerTUM are contributing to an economy where purpose and profit work together to generate lasting public value.
The Public Value Academy continues to expand its offerings and community. To stay informed about program activities, upcoming events, and insights from the impact entrepreneurship ecosystem, subscribe to our newsletter and follow our work.
The Public Value Hub is A non-profit dedicated to fostering public value and impact-driven entrepreneurship through education, research, and policy engagement. The development of the Public Value Academy is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) as part of the Nachhaltig Wirken (NaWi) funding program. The duration of the project is December 2024 to December 2027.
24/7 educational courses including proprietary video, audio and multimedia content. Gamified learning experience for maximum success.
Tailor-made content from international mentors with experiences in business, academia and public administration.
Content module can be combined, expanded and added to fit individual learning styles and goals.
Platform will be used for subsequent projects with other target groups and stakeholders.
