Always ready for the next challenge

When Wolfgang Hanrieder becomes fascinated by something, there is no stopping him. He thrives on just four hours of sleep, driven by the sheer passion for the task at hand. Since 2012, he has been a Supporting Member of Max Planck – and here, too, he is passionate about the work.

Wolfgang Hanrieder’s connection with the Max Planck Society (MPG) began early in his academic journey. While pursuing a physics degree at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), he was taught by directors Norbert Schmitz and Gerd Buschhorn from the MPI for Physics during the 1980s. When Buschhorn offered to supervise his diploma and later his doctoral thesis, he found himself torn between following his heart or his head: "My heart belonged to Max Planck from the very beginning," Hanrieder recalls. However, the "head" won, and his pragmatic side ultimately led him to accept an offer from Siemens. As an in-house doctoral researcher at TUM, he built the first scanning tunnelling microscope in an industrial setting, following his instinct to establish a foothold in corporate management as early as possible.

From physics to the world of investments

For decades, the MPG faded into the background for Hanrieder. After completing his doctorate, he took on significant responsibilities within Siemens in the organization’s central technology division, led company-wide strategy projects, and established innovation departments both at Siemens and its subsidiary Siemens-Nixdorf. The MBA he then completed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), propelled the physicist from innovation manager to the world of investment management. From then on, he managed venture capital projects, became Managing Partner at an international venture capital firm, and got to know Silicon Valley from the inside before relocating to London to establish the European technology business for a leading private equity group.

When asked what drives his remarkable achievements, Hanrieder answers without hesitation: "I enjoy trying out new things, especially when success is uncertain. That's the common thread throughout my life. Once routine sets in after several years, I start seeking more exciting challenges – and then it's back to the game." 

The fact that the MPG has once again become the focus of Wolfgang Hanrieder’s attention is a stroke of luck for both parties. After returning to Munich for family reasons, he became involved as an angel investor, consultant, and member of several supervisory boards. And he made sure he had a more balanced life, with friends and family once again taking centre stage.

Back to Max Planck

His renewed connection with the MPG was sparked by Reinhard Pöllath, whose commercial law firm Hanrieder knew from numerous venture capital projects. In 2009, the two crossed paths again in Munich, and it wasn't long before Pöllath – one of the founders of the Max Planck Foundation (MPF) – invited Hanrieder to join him at an MPG event. As a physicist, Hanrieder was immediately fired up: "All my great memories of Max Planck came rushing back,” he recalls. He had the feeling of returning “to the Max Planck family."

Soon after, Wolfgang Hanrieder began actively supporting the MPG. He became a Personal Supporting Member in 2012 and now serves on the Board of Trustees of the MPI for Physics as well as the Management Board of the Hermann Neuhaus Foundation. In 2015, he established the Hanrieder Foundation for Excellence (HFE), a trust foundation managed by the MPF.

For Andrea Eiden, who oversees the Supporting Members in the Fundraising Unit, Wolfgang Hanrieder is "a true gem — a reliable and kind-hearted individual who stands out as a genuine friend and exceptional donor."

As with every endeavor he undertakes, Hanrieder’s commitment to the MPG is thoroughly considered. To him, Max Planck symbolizes excellence – "one of the best research facilities in the world" – which plays a crucial role in enhancing the prosperity of resource-poor Germany "through the power of intellect." To maintain this level of excellence, the MPG must continually compete for top global talent and work to retain them early in their careers. This is precisely where Hanrieder’s foundation comes into play.

My goal is achieving the greatest impact with limited resources.

- Wolfgang Hanrieder

The HFE funds research stays for outstanding young professionals from underprivileged countries. To date, it has supported 28 young talents, including doctoral researchers from South America, through fellowships at the MPI for Physics. Additionally, as part of the CaCTüS Programme at the MPIs for Biological Cybernetics and Intelligent Systems, it sponsors three-month summer school stays each year. "The young people come from developing countries, are fully integrated into research, and receive intensive personal support," says Hanrieder. The HFE-sponsored program also focuses on developing essential skills like presentation techniques, culminating in a final symposium where students present their work to the entire Institute. Afterward, they carry the Max Planck legacy with them into their academic careers. For Wolfgang Hanrieder, "achieving the greatest impact with limited resources" is the essence of strategic and intelligent philanthropy – and a testament to the achievements made possible by the MPG's private donors.

Artikel was first published in the 03/2024 edition of MAXMag, the Max Planck Community Magazine. Text: Myriam Hönig

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