Jury | SRH Grenke Innovation Festival 2025
Wolfgang Grenke, Founder GRENKE
Wolfgang Grenke is a highly successful entrepreneur and investor. After founding his first company GRENKE in 1978, he developed it into a global financing partner specialising in supporting start-ups and SMEs with leasing and financing solutions. His focus is on providing founders with quick access to the capital they need for their growth.
PhD, Dr Sebastian Hirsch, CEO, grenke AG
Dr Sebastian Hirsch began his career in the finance department of grenke AG and is now, two decades later, Chairman and CEO of this leading international small-ticket leasing specialist. Throughout his career, he has played an active role in developing the company to respond to market trends and macroeconomic changes in a global context, always keeping the needs of customers in mind.
Martin Eyerer, founder and managing director of Green City Development
Martin Eyerer, founder and CEO of Green City Development, supports young entrepreneurs. With his NLND project, he is creating Europe's largest innovation ecosystem (150,000 m² in Berlin-Neukölln), combining the creative industries, technology and politics. His mission: to transform vacant spaces into thriving centres for innovation and collaboration.
Philipp Hartmann, serial entrepreneur and investor in the technology sector
Philipp Hartmann is a serial entrepreneur and investor in the technology sector with many years of experience. Since 2006, he has co-founded over 50 start-ups (including the food delivery service Lieferando) and made more than 100 investments as a VC and business angel.
Maxim Streletzki, Proprietor Estrel
Maxim Streletzki joined the Estrel in 2020 and is currently managing the expansion of the Estrel Tower. Upon completion in autumn 2026, the Estrel will be Europe's largest hotel and conference complex with 1,800 hotel rooms and 45,000 square metres of flexible event space.
Before joining the family business, Maxim worked in venture capital at London-based Atomico and for a British co-living operator.
Prof Dr Agnes Schipanski, Professor of Media Economics SRH
Prof Dr Agnes Schipanski is Professor of Media Economics at SRH University and Ambassador Entrepreneurship. She heads the Management of the Creative Industries B.A. programme, which she has geared towards artificial intelligence and network management for the future. Previously, she held management positions in business, headed the Institute for Continuing Education in the Creative Industries and was Vice Rector. She advises and lectures on change management, network management and generation management.
Munay, founder and start-up mentor
Munay is a company successor, founder and start-up mentor. At the age of 23, she took over the company where she had previously been a working student. After a few years in the natural cosmetics industry, she sold the company and founded the Female Founder Academy. Since then, she has been helping aspiring female founders to start up successfully.
Miriam van Straelen, Managing Director
Miriam van Straelen - experienced managing director with a focus on digital transformation and profitable growth. Why: She combines strategic foresight with operational excellence. Her strength lies in transforming companies holistically - from developing and scaling digital business models to building high-performance teams and sustainably increasing sales and profitability.
Prof Dr Anabel Ternès von Hattburg, Professor at SRH University Berlin
Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg is a professor at SRH University Berlin, serial entrepreneur and investor. She has received numerous international awards, including for her innovative online learning games, her work as a futurologist and her social, societal and sustainable commitment. As a sought-after mentor, she also contributes her expertise to various think tanks and committees.