After 15 years with mymuesli, I transitioned from my operational board role to the company's supervisory board at the close of 2021. Then, as the calendar flipped to 2022, I took the entrepreneurial plunge once again, co-founding Project Eaden with David Schmelzeisen and Jan Wilmking.
In a world where cattle contribute 6-8% of global CO2-equivalent emissions, Project Eaden is committed to crafting a groundbreaking technology to produce sustainable meat from plants. We’re utilising fibre technology from the textile sector to create edible protein fibres, which we meticulously assemble into ultra-realistic steaks and whole cuts. Our aim is nothing short of transformative: to enable ‘New Earthly Pleasures’, delicious and planet-friendly food without compromise. Full Taste. Zero Guilt. Our resource-efficient technology aspires to make animal meat a secondary choice for the many, even those not primarily concerned with preserving our natural habitat.
Long before I co-founded mymuesli in 2007 with Philipp Kraiss and Max Wittrock, I was enthralled with the concept of incremental betterment – finding ways to make the bigger picture a bit brighter for everyone, including myself. I didn't know the twists and turns this journey would take, but I sensed there would be no ultimate destination. This unpredictability still captivates me. A predetermined career path would never suffice. Today, I feel privileged to be able to work with dedicated and trusted individuals; in order to create something that not only resonates with others but provides genuine value – ventures I stand behind wholeheartedly.
Prior to this, my life followed a rather linear trajectory: During my school days, I delved into website development for some extra pocket money. After a stint with the Bundeswehr paratroopers, I interned at a Hamburg advertising agency (FCBi) and toyed with the notion of a social network for builders, craftsmen, and architects. However, the hypothesis wilted in the wake of the .com bubble burst. So, I turned to studying business administration in Passau and pursued a master's degree in Budapest. Eager for real-world challenges, Philipp (yes, that same co-founder of mymuesli) and I launched one of Germany's first fully automated video rental stores in our second semester. A few formative and frenzied years later, food start-ups seized my entrepreneurial spirit—and life.
Throughout my journey, I've had the privilege of learning from a myriad of individuals. Few sensations can eclipse the invigorating feeling of working alongside a team of trusted allies towards a meaningful, unified goal. Awards and honours, then, are something one accepts on behalf of the collective. Among the more distinguished recognitions, I've been humbled to receive the following:
German Marketing Prize (Deutscher Marketingpreis) 2016
German Founder Prize (Deutscher Gründerpreis) 2013
Startup of the Year (Startup des Jahres) 2007
Being an entrepreneur often equates to a constant race against time, with one's own venture rightfully commanding the spotlight. Yet, certain matters grip my conscience so compellingly that I make it a point to get involved. This holds particularly true for existential human concerns—sustainability, health, artificial intelligence. In a capitalist society, I consider entrepreneurship as one of the most potent tools for effectuating change. Accordingly, I channel my life's hours in this direction. When I spot opportunities to foster meaningful impact beyond my own startups, I don't hesitate to engage: as a Business Angel, a mentor, a board member, or a participant in various juries and advisory boards. Noteworthy involvements include:
Member of the supervisory board mymuesli AG (since 2022)
Member of the Kuratoriums "German Founder Prize" (since 2022)
Member of the Advisory Board of &ever | Vertical Farming (2020-2021)
Member of the Advisory Board of SIRPLUS | food rescue (2019-2022)
Member of the Jury for the “Top 100 Innovators of the Year” (2014-2021)
Early supporter of the Entrepreneur’s Pledge (since 2014)
Additionally I am a Business Angel, Consultant and Mentor to some selected startups.
Want to get in touch? Happy to connect on LinkedIn :)