Prof. Dr. Marc Linzmajer has held the Chair of Business Administration: Service Management at the University of Rostock since October 2023. Prior to this, Prof. Dr. Linzmajer worked at the Research Center for Retail Management at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), first as a postdoctoral researcher and project manager, and later as an assistant professor of Retail Marketing & Service Management. The research team’s goal is to integrate innovative developments and technologies into service research from a broad interdisciplinary and empirical perspective, thereby helping to shape service management. Since the design of service policy measures is predicated on an understanding of consumer, buyer, and employee behavior, the research specifically addresses interdisciplinary, behavioral science aspects as well.

atja Riebe has been familiar with the concept of self-employment from an early age thanks to her father’s business.

A true coastal native and graduate of the University of Rostock with a degree in service management, she has been working at the Rostock Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) as a consultant for the service sector since 2017 and is delighted to be able to support the regional economy in this way. She deals with questions from the service industry regarding business start-ups, business succession, and business development on a daily basis.

She is eager to take a look behind the scenes of the ideas competition and get to know the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. 

Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, Pauline Sophie Meyer embraced this passion and, together with her family, took the initiative to take over a traditional inn in Rostock.

She also works in customer service for the company K&K mystery shopping and more. This company has its roots in an outstanding business idea that won first place in a business idea competition held by the University of Rostock. At K&K, she focuses on customer satisfaction across various industries and develops creative strategies for and with clients. Thanks to this diverse experience, Pauline Sophie Meyer understands the nuances of customer service and the importance of innovation and adaptability in the business world.

As an investment manager at MBG MV with over ten years of startup experience and 15 years working alongside founding teams—particularly in the cleantech sector—he knows that the path to success is rarely straightforward, but always exciting. His passions include sales force development, go-to-market strategies, and connecting people with opportunities. He’s enthusiastic about anything that sounds like the future: artificial intelligence, innovative ideas, and bold business models.
Secret Fact: His summer runs on caffeine and carbonation—espresso tonic is his official brainstorming drink.

CEO and startup enthusiast. As one of the directors of the Rostock Digital Innovation Center, founder of ProMedTec, and co-founder of other startups, Jan views the local scene from a wide variety of perspectives. For over two decades, he has combined entrepreneurial thinking and action with his passion for technology and progress. For him, innovation and transformation are not merely a driving force and motivation, but rather an opportunity to pursue new approaches and solutions in order to rethink products, services, and their commercialization freshly and sustainably. He believes that today’s local startups form the nucleus of tomorrow’s Mecklenburg-Vorpommern!

Danny Jäckel grew up in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and has close ties to the region, not least because of his love for beach volleyball and kitesurfing—preferably right on the Baltic Sea coast. He joined the MBG MV team in 2015, immediately after completing his dual degree in business administration. In addition to his family and career, he is currently completing his master’s degree in business consulting via distance learning this year. For more than five years, he has also served as a volunteer lecturer for the seminar series “Entrepreneurial Thinking and Action” at Wismar University of Applied Sciences. The investment manager is known for his strong enthusiasm in supporting and advising startups. The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Investment Company (MBG MV) supports regional companies in financing business projects through open and silent equity investments. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit in the long term from stable market positions and economic performance. They offer various financing options, particularly for innovative companies, as well as for start-ups and commercial enterprises.

Ivonne Jarschke-Kron has been working as an investment manager at GENIUS Venture Capital GmbH since 2003 and, as a lawyer and mediator, complements the firm’s service portfolio. She actively participates in all contract negotiations. She now has more than 20 years of professional experience in venture capital and corporate development. Ms. Jarschke-Kron studied law at the University of Bayreuth and passed her first and second state examinations in Bavaria.

She has been with the Rostock Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) for over 10 years, where she heads the Department of Business Start-ups and Business Development. As a business administrator, entrepreneurial thinking and action come naturally to her. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs and startups even when an idea originated from nothing more than a casual conversation over a beer, because, as is well known, something great can come of it. Her responsibilities in the area of startup support range from advising on the very personal challenges of starting a business to submitting statements to funding agencies.

The Rostock Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) represents the interests of approximately 36,000 businesses in the commercial sector of its district, the Hanseatic and university city of Rostock, as well as the counties of Rostock and Vorpommern-Rügen. It offers consulting services to businesses, advocates for their interests in dealings with policymakers and government agencies, and is committed to the training and continuing education of employees.

Jonas Massa is a chemical engineer and CTO at AKROS Energy (a H2APEX company). He has extensive expertise in the development of hydrogen technologies and renewable energy systems. While still a student at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, he conducted research at the Helmholtz Institute for Renewable Energies on a feasibility study for an autonomous LOHC hydrogen refueling station. In his current role at AKROS Energy, he leads the development, simulation, and scaling of pressureless hydrogen storage systems based on safe salt compounds. In close cooperation with the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, he is also driving the development of high-performance catalysts for a robust hydrogen economy. His focus is on translating innovative technologies into practical and patented solutions. In addition, Jonas Massa is intensively engaged with local AI models and their application in the field of sustainable energy storage solutions.

Wirtschaftsförderung Landkreis Rostock GmbH (WLR) is the primary point of contact for investors as well as companies interested in establishing or relocating their business operations within the Rostock district. The Rostock district offers excellent location conditions for existing businesses, external companies, and startups or new business founders.

Wirtschaftsförderung Landkreis Rostock GmbH advises companies on suitable business locations, available commercial sites and properties, infrastructure and connectivity, provides information on funding opportunities, and facilitates connections with relevant partners and networks.

Riko Zimmermann is an experienced investment manager at ROKA1825 GmbH. In this role, he is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of 20 startups and companies, as well as proactively identifying new investment opportunities. With a business administration background specializing in entrepreneurship and startups, along with professional experience at companies such as Mercedes-Benz and DB Management Consulting, he brings extensive expertise and experience in business development.

His core expertise lies in identifying and supporting innovative business models. Thanks to his strategic mindset and ability to recognize opportunities, he has established himself as a trusted partner for emerging companies in the region.

Herr Knüppel completed a foundation program in Business Administration before graduating in Law from University of Rostock with a specialization in Corporate Law. He began his professional career as in-house counsel at an IP asset management and investment company.

Mr. Knüppel also worked as an authorized signatory for an investment fund, where he supported research-oriented spin-offs and research institutions. Since 2015, he has been a partner at KLOPSCH & PARTNER Rechtsanwälte, focusing particularly on business law, contract law, IT law, business succession, as well as advising startups and investors.

In 2018, the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Bar Association awarded him the title of “Specialist Lawyer for Commercial and Corporate Law.” In 2023, he also successfully completed the specialist lawyer training course in IT law.

Silvia Kohlmann earned her high school diploma in the United States and went on to earn a degree in business administration from the University of Rostock and the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

She took on the role of business consultant for the Galileo satellite navigation project at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne and later moved to the international project and financial management department at BASF in Tarragona, Spain. She was then appointed to the Rostock Research Port, where she was responsible for maritime R&D projects in the field of international space applications. Since 2015, she has been the managing director of envitecpro GmbH, based in Rostock. The company advises SMEs, associations, universities, and municipalities in South America on circular economy issues. There, she has initiated and carried out a large number of projects in Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, and Peru focused on waste recycling and the use of renewable energy.

In 2023, she accompanied Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Federal Minister Özdemir on the government plane and represented the German business community at meetings and panel discussions in Brazil and Colombia.

Ms. Kohlmann was appointed by the Minister-President to the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Council for the Future in recognition of her many years of expertise and commitment and was honored as the state government’s economic ambassador and as a “KlasseFrau der Wirtschaft” (Outstanding Woman in Business).

She regularly publishes articles in professional journals, speaks at international conferences, and works to raise the profile of eastern Germany as well as female founders and entrepreneurs.