"A company is a tough and lonely journey and technology entrepreneurship is a constantly evolving discipline". Join us and listen to the entrepreneurial endeavour of mitfahrgelegenheit.de. Learn how Michael established the original carpooling.com platform for Germany, building the largest global ride-sharing network, which he then successfully sold to its competitor BlaBlaCar in 2015.
Eisbach Partners
Partner, Business Angel
Michael is a successful entrepreneur, advisor, mentor holding a PhD in information systems. Founding and selling companies is what he has done over the past 15 years. Following the successful exit of carpooling.com to BlaBlaCar in 2015, Michael is now active as a business angel at Eisbach Partners, where he helps accelerate the growth of young businesses.
While studying managerial economics at the University of Würzburg, Michael established mitfahrgelegenheit.de (the original carpooling platform for Germany) with Stefan Weber and Matthias Siedler in 2001, as an MBA project. After obtaining his PhD more than 10 years ago, Michael quit the career in sciences and decided to dedicate his undivided attention to the co-founded Internet startup.
carpooling.com has been Europe’s largest ride-sharing network with ca. 7 million registered users, connecting people in 5,000 cities and 45 countries. Michael was directly involved in the day-to-day running of the business, finance, business planning, investor relations and managed the company's sales, partnerships and legal strategies. Gaining substantial expertise in all areas of a young and rapidly growing company, Michael and Matthias together with Markus Barnikel who joined the company from Yahoo!, guided the company through market leadership and a successful exit. carpooling.com was successfully sold to its competitor BlaBlaCar in 2015 building the largest global ride-sharing network.
Currently active as a business angel at Eisbach Partners, Michael is now leveraging his strong entrepreneurial, commercial and managerial experience to support young businesses on their journey and help accelerate their growth. When he isn't firing up Munich's startup scene, you will find him doing sports; he enjoys trail-running and fitness and has a passion for travelling across South East Asia.
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