Press Release Impact Allianz - IED

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Munich, 8 July 2024. Innovation and the spirit of the future filled the venerable halls of Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) Munich on 8 July. Organised by LMU's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC), the Impact Entrepreneurship Day 2024 attracted hundreds of participants - students, researchers, start-up advisors and entrepreneurs; united by their pursuit of a sustainable and inclusive future. This event marked the start of a Germany-wide series of events organised by the Impact Allianz, which focuses on the topic of impact-oriented entrepreneurship.

A topic of global significance

Impact entrepreneurship is more than just a buzzword - it is a movement that has the potential to fundamentally change our society. It combines entrepreneurial behaviour with the goal of solving social and environmental challenges: ‘Our research proves that companies that pursue social and environmental goals are more stable and successful in the long term,’ explained Prof. Dr. Jelena Spanjol from LMU Munich. Such insights highlight the importance and potential of impact entrepreneurship and show why this topic is of the utmost importance right now.

The Impact Allianz is proving to be a driving force in the promotion of impact entrepreneurship. It is the first cross-university initiative in Germany to bring together professors from different universities to bring the topic from research to business and society. As Professor of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability and co-initiator of the Impact Allianz, Prof. Dr. Ali Aslan Gümüsay describes it as a pioneering platform that brings business and society together in an innovative way and promotes impact entrepreneurship in teaching, research and transfer by pooling academic and entrepreneurial resources.’

Onto new beginnings

Under the motto ‘Unite! For Transforming the Future’, the Impact Allianz kicked off a day that put the topic of sustainability in entrepreneurial thinking and action on the agenda with its varied programme. The programme was opened by LMU President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Huber, followed by an inspiring keynote speech by Zarah Bruhn. ‘Social innovations are interdisciplinary and therefore relevant for all faculties,’ said the BMBF Commissioner for Social Innovations.

A panel of high-calibre experts on the topic of impact entrepreneurship discussed perspectives from practice, science and the financial sector. The panel opened up the discourse, which has now spread to all faculties at the university and from there to society.

For the members of the Impact Allianz, including Professors Ali Aslan Gümüsay and Jelena Spanjol (LMU Munich), Laura Marie Edinger-Schons (University of Hamburg), Britta Gossel (University for Sustainable Development, Eberswalde) and Christine Volkmann (University of Wuppertal), this is the start of a series of events that will now position this important topic throughout Germany and connect the ecosystem around sustainable entrepreneurship. The Impact Allianz is supported by its sponsors, the Hans Weisser Foundation and the Bertelsmann Foundation.

The next stop in the event series will be in Hamburg in October. ‘This Germany-wide series is a special opportunity to strengthen the impact entrepreneurship ecosystem and bring about positive change nationwide through regional forces,’ said Dr. Barbara Wolf, spokesperson for the Impact Allianz. Further information and dates can be found on the Impact Allianz website (impactallianz.de).

It's up to us

On 8 July, LMU proved that it is a central hub for the future of impact entrepreneurship. With the Impact Entrepreneurship Day 2024, one thing became clear: it is time for the topic of sustainable entrepreneurship to receive more attention in universities, business and politics. Germany has the potential to set an example in Europe and beyond.

Contact: Dr. Barbara Wolf