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    For foundes in the education market

    EDTECH STARTER WORKSHOPS
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    For future founders who want to change the education market

    THE STARTUP JOURNEY

    More information about our work

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    An ecosystem needs strong partners!

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    Facts, figures and data on the startup ecosystem OWL.

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    A look at the EdTech landscape in NRW.

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  • German

Management

OUR MANAGEMENT

DOMINIK GROSS

FOUNDER & Geschäftsführer

Performance oriented strategist with networking into the international ecosystem

“As an architect for the systematic education of tech entrepreneurs, I want to build the next generation of successful founders as well as design a blueprint for the development of a strong B2B startup ecosystem here in Bielefeld, inspiring other area regions in the German hinterland.”

Dominik is the head of our Founders Foundation. As Founder and Managing Director, he has been with us since day one and over the last six years has worked with passion and entrepreneurial vision to build a sustainable B2B startup ecosystem in the heart of Germany’s SME sector, setting new standards for startup education in Germany.

Along the conviction that entrepreneurial competence is the key to shaping a successful digital transformation across the board in a powerful and positive way, impact- and purpose-driven design is Dominik’s drive and motivation. With this understanding, he developed Founders Foundation as the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Project Lead Fostering Innovative Entrepreneurship, from the initial idea to the planning and into the founding in 2016. Since then, he has been leading the company with passion and his growth mindset.

Dominik initially began his career at the Bertelsmann Stiftung in Human Resources. In 2011, he took over the position of Head of Boards’ Office under the Chairmen of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Gunter Thielen and Aart de Geus. There, he was responsible for the organizational, content-related and strategic preparation and follow-up of meetings and decisions from the Board’s Office for the members of the Executive Board.

Born in Oldenburg, he studied economics in Oldenburg and in Vaxjö, Sweden, and has lived in Bielefeld for almost ten years. When he’s not working or getting ideas rolling, he likes to keep busy with sports, like handball or skiing. As a spectator, he keeps his fingers crossed for the Bundesliga basketball players of EWE Baskets Oldenburg. His great passion is his Labrador mix Carlo, whom he adopted from animal welfare and gave a new home at Founders Home.

“As an architect for a holistic and inspiring education of tech entrepreneurs, I want to build the next generation of successful founders as well as design a blueprint for the development of a sustainable B2B startup ecosystem outside the well-known metropolises here in Bielefeld, inspiring other area regions in the German hinterland.”

Our Directors

Our CEO Dominik has built a strong and meaningful management board consisting of experienced startup experts and passionate doers. Together, the Management Board manages the daily business of our organization, sets strategic priorities, drives growth topics and thus steers our fantastic team to the next big milestones!

Corinna Powalla

Corinna Powalla

Director People & Growth

Corinna is an experienced entrepreneur and brings more than ten years of startup experience to Founders Foundation since 2021. With Modomoto (later Outfittery), she built a successful startup and scaled it internationally. She has first-hand knowledge of startups and is now passing on this wealth of knowledge to the next generation of founders.

With her know-how and her great passion for entrepreneurship, she is responsible for the backbone of our organization as Director People and Growth and actively drives growth topics forward with her team.

Corinna Powalla

Simon Brakhage

Simon Brakhage

Director Hinterland of Things

Simon is a native of our region and became part of the Founders Family in 2019. His previous positions took him to Silicon Valley and to EdTech Startup Masterplan.

At Founders Foundation, he developed the partner area of Hinterland of Things and today, as Director Hinterland of Things, he and his team are primarily responsible for our flagship project, the annual Hinterland of Things tech conference. In addition, he and his team implement and develop exciting corporate programs such as the Hinterland Hack, startup match making formats and customized offers for digital transformation in the corporate environment.

Anna-Luisa Korte

Director Brand & Content

Anna was born in Bielefeld and returned from Berlin in 2017. Building up the startup scene in her home country is a great personal incentive for her. Through her previous positions in regional network building, at the Hinterland of Things conference and as program manager for the Startup School and Lab, Anna knows all areas of Founders Foundation inside out.

With this holistic understanding, she has been leading the Brand & Content area since 2020 and is thus responsible for all communicative measures in and around the Founders Foundation together with her team.

Stephan Jacquemot

Stephan Jacquemot

Director Education

Since 2020, Stephan has not only brought his Rhineland cheerfulness to Founders Foundation, but also his many years of experience as an investor. Before joining Founders Foundation, he held various positions at Microsoft, among others, where he was responsible for startup strategy.

Until today, Stephan is actively investing together with Tim Schumacher as TS Ventures and thus supports the growth of the startup scene outside of our organization. With this all-round know-how of the startup scene, he leads the Founders Education Team and designs our holistic Founders Journey.

Togehter we celebrate Entrepreneurship

And that’s why we continue to give our all for the sustainable growth of our startup ecosystem. We have been on our Founders Foundation journey for over 5 years now, with many stops and milestones. And this journey is far from over!

Want to get to know our team better and maybe even become part of our Founders Family? We have compiled all the important information – enjoy browsing! And maybe see you soon.

More Than a Job

Your future career at the Founders Foundation

Check out the job postings

Our Journey

The history and and evolution of the Founders Foundation

Experience our history

THE FOUNDERS HOME

The hub of our network and home of the founder spirit.

Discover our home

INFORMATION FOR PRESS & NEWS AGENCIES

The most important facts at a glance

Press and Media Services

You Have Questions?
Talk to us!

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Related Topics

Our Content Hub features some exciting articles. Feel free to check them out!

Pressemitteilung E-Learning

Influx of New Founders is Stagnating: Experienced Founders and Investors Share Their Knowhow on New Educational Platform

Talent foundry Founders Foundation from Bielefeld provides access to basic knowledge on company formation for aspiring entrepreneurs on their edtech platform.

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Startup Report 2021

First Report On the Startup Ecosystem In Ostwestfalen-Lippe Highlights Region’s Positive Developments – And Shows It Has Catchup Up To Do

The first report on the startup ecosystem in Ostwestfalen-Lippe shows that the region is a great example for other non-metropolitan regions how an impactful and...

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Founders Foundation Alumni IMOGENT Celebrates Its Exit

Our Alumni Startup Imogent managed by founders Robin Kroll and Peer Bausch announce their EXIT.

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Contact

Obernstraße 50
33602 Bielefeld

info@foundersfoundation.de

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