Innovators Homecoming: Alumni of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Return to Weimar
Last Friday, 14 November 2025, the neudeli start-up workshop at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar held its first »Innovators Homecoming« event. The aim was to bring successful graduates from different years and disciplines in the fields of start-ups and innovation back to the university, to highlight their diverse career paths, and to strengthen the exchange between alumni, students, and staff.
The format was aimed at alumni who are now working across the globe and making significant contributions in business, design, technology, and society. The event clearly demonstrated how diverse and formative a course of study at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has been for the alumni in attendance.
Four keynotes reflect the breadth of alumni pathways
In the Maurice Halbwachs Auditorium, four internationally active alumni shared their experiences and insights from their respective professional contexts:
Paul Foeckler, Co-Founder of Mendeley and Blueberg AI, emphasized the importance of teamwork and perseverance as key factors for entrepreneurial success. With the quote “If it’s not a happy end, it’s not the end,” he highlighted the long-term perspective required in the entrepreneurial journey.
Gesa Hansen, designer and founder of The Hansen Family, described her personal development as a designer—a path deeply shaped by materiality, especially wood. She explained that the Bauhaus-Universität taught her the importance of knowing the rules in order to break them consciously. Stepping outside one’s comfort zone, she said, is essential for creative work.
Jens Wille, Managing Director of the digital company Ubilabs, underscored the significance of Weimar and the neudeli start-up hub as spaces of freedom, experimentation, and “just doing.” He highlighted the value of diverse teams and the need to base career decisions on personal energy rather than external expectations.
Dr. Nathalie Jean-Baptiste, Deputy CEO and Head of Programmes at the Julius Baer Foundation, addressed the role of wonder, exploration, and rethinking in innovation processes. She emphasized that the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar had a formative influence on her professional and personal development.
Exchange and networking at the Bauhaus Museum
In the evening, alumni from various faculties, graduation years, and professional fields gathered at the Bauhaus Museum, united by the shared themes of entrepreneurship and innovation. The conversations generated new contacts, ideas, and impulses for the further development of the university’s alumni relations.
»The strong response and highly positive feedback clearly show how closely many of our alumni remain connected to the university—and how great the desire is to actively strengthen this relationship,« says Dr. Charlene Wündsch, Head of the neudeli start-up hub.
Thanks to supporters
The Gründungswerkstatt neudeli extends its thanks to all staff members of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar who contributed to the planning and implementation of the Innovators Homecoming. Special thanks go to Silvia Riedel from the Alumni Office, whose commitment and close collaboration were instrumental to the success of the event.
Contact
Lisa Hilpert
Phone: +49 (0) 36 43 / 58 39 15
Email: lisa.hilpert[at]uni-weimar.de