Ideenwettbewerb 2025 Jury

Dr. Andrea Edel

Head of the Heidelberg Cultural Office and Coordinator of the UNESCO City of Literature Heidelberg
Andrea Edel studied music at the Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt am Main and art history at the universities of Freiburg im Breisgau and Bern. Since 2014, she and her team have been building up the regional and global networks of the UNESCO City of Literature Heidelberg as head of the city's cultural office. On the advisory board of the German UNESCO Commission, she is committed to the protection and promotion of cultural diversity.

Tipp: "Realize collaborations with interesting partners and help those who deserve it to solve their problems through joint projects."

Claudio Flores

M. Sc. Molecular Biosciences (Universität Heidelberg), CEO Mimotype Technologies GmbH
Claudio Flores completed his B.Sc. in Biosciences and his M.Sc. in Molecular Biosciences at Heidelberg University, where he developed an interdisciplinary perspective on complexity, evolution and the interplay between biology and technology. With the conviction that biology is "living nanotechnology", Claudio positions Mimotype Technologies GmbH at the forefront of the development of eco-seamless nanomaterials for the interface between light and biomatter. Under his leadership, Mimotype develops biomimetic devices and systems for organic/transient electronics and soft robotics. The company uses bio-inspired semiconductors and customised proteins to drive sustainable technological innovation.

Dr. Christian Fuat J. Ecer

Investor and Executive Board Advisor
Fuat is an investor and Executive Board Advisor. He is a part-time research fellow at Harvard University and an adjunct professor of strategy at business schools. He also mentors high-achieving high school students at the Cambridge Center for International Research. Previously, he worked as CFO and COO in start-ups, Head of M&A and Corporate Strategy in corporations and Investment Director in the private equity industry. He completed his post-doc at the University of Oxford and studied at Heidelberg University and Harvard University as part of his doctoral studies.

Hint: „We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.“ (Walt Disney)

Dr. Ann-Kristin Mueller

Head of the first German branch of BioLabs in Heidelberg

Ann-Kristin Mueller is an infectiologist and after completing her doctorate and working in London and Würzburg, she spent nine years leading a malaria research group at Heidelberg University Hospital, which led to her founding a spin-off. In 2018, she left university research completely for the start-up world.

Tip:
“Starting up means not having to do everything alone, networking and cooperation are the keys to success”