71,710 people calling. An Olympic Stadium packed to the rafters. That’s what it feels like when LMU Munich asks you to become its first Vice President for Entrepreneurship.
The call
Boston, May 2025. I’m in a buzzing biotech incubator. Founders elbow-to-elbow. Instruments humming. Then my iPhone lights up: “Philipp, will you take the lead? We want to build something big — LMU-style.”
Heart racing, I step outside and call my wife. “Feels like a once-in-a-lifetime call to duty.” She laughs: “Then answer it.” I said: yes.
What I’m here to do
From October 1, I’m in — full power:
- Walk the talk. Germany needs more founders. I’ll help make them.
- Give back. Public schools turned a village kid into a biotech founder. Now it’s on me to return the favor.
- Unleash talent. 54,616 students, 835 professors, 6,137 researchers, 10,122 who keep it going — across law, arts, medicine, economics. An Olympic Stadium full of ideas.
- Build bridges. From world-class research to breakthroughs that reach clinics, courtrooms, classrooms and climate labs.
My guiding light
Freedom. Freedom of research. Freedom of entrepreneurship. Getting research out of the lab and into society — that’s the first bridge I’m crossing.
Let’s build better bridges, together.