Verena Pausder

Entrepreneur and Chair of the German Startup Association

On June 29, 2026, the TUM Speakers Series welcomed Verena Pausder, successful entrepreneur and Chair of the German Startup Association to the Audimax on TUM Main Campus in Munich.

In her keynote titled "Time to Innovate: Entrepreneurship and the Startup Ecosystem", she shared perspectives on what it takes to build, invest and lead in times of uncertainty. At a moment when technology, capital and society are changing faster than ever, Verena Pausder showed why crises can also become founding moments and why the next generation of entrepreneurs has a crucial role to play in shaping Germany's future as a startup and innovation hub.

What stood out to us was her ability to connect entrepreneurial ambition with responsibility: From digital education and research transfer to diversity, DeepTech, venture capital and the courage to turn ideas into real impact.
Her message was clear: Innovation does not happen by waiting for better conditions. It happens when people decide to build despite them.

The keynote was followed by a moderated discussion and open Q&A, giving students, founders and innovators in the audience the chance to engage directly with one of the most influential voices in Germany's startup ecosystem.

To round the event off, Verena Pausder gave instant advice through an interactive mini-game Agree or Disagree, where she shared her thoughts on a few statements linked to the startup ecosystem.

Thank you to Verena Pausder for joining us, to Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaserer, to everyone who filled the Audimax, and to the entire TUM Speakers Series team for making this evening possible.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, our moderator Paul Amthor, Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaserer and the whole team of the TUM Speakers Series for making this extraordinary evening possible!