Meet The EMBA Class Of Entrepreneurs: Executives Today, Founders Tomorrow 

Dr. Michael Pfenning
Mannheim Business School 

Venture name & date of founding: Elevating Patterns GmbH
Date of founding: 2024
Program: ESSEC & MANNHEIM Executive MBA 

What is your business/venture?  AI-powered Digital Thread Software, for companies aiming to bring their industrial product data under control. 

What inspired you to found this business?  I always wanted to found my own company; I was just waiting for the right time. The business itself is in the same field I have been working in for more than a decade – and where I did my PhD. So the EMBA was not the reason to found the company, but it definitely triggered the decision to do it now. 

Why did you enrol on the EMBA?  I thought it would be really helpful with my career at SAP – the company I worked for when I joined. And I also was pretty much in favor of the international setting and the cultural experience. 

How has the EMBA helped you/your business?  The Entrepreneurship Module was really helpful and the contacts to incubators and the startup scene as well. The knowledge I gained in purely business-related fields was helpful, but actually the real benefit was the motivation I gained from the course and the interaction with my cohort. It showed me now is the time and yes, you can do it. 

What’s the one thing about the EMBA that you think is undervalued?  I think the personal development as a leader or entrepreneur is the most important part. MBA books I can read for myself, but the learning environment that the EMBA created is outstanding. In other words, I learned more about myself than about business – and that’s the actual benefit most people undervalue. 

What’s next for your business?  We successfully raised additional funds in a pre-seed round with a business angel, and we work with the first pilot customer. Next step is more customers, introduction of a modern sales process and laying the foundation to start scaling. 

Would you recommend the EMBA to other entrepreneurs? If yes, why?  If you are already an entrepreneur it may be too time-consuming, but if you are thinking about starting your own company there is a lot you can gain from the course. So, 100% yes. 

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