Thomas Bachem, CODE University of Applied Sciences | Best of Jungunternehmer Podcast

About this episode

Thomas Bachem embodies what many founders aspire to achieve: multiple successful exits and the courage to continuously pursue new ventures. As Germany's youngest university chancellor and a serial entrepreneur with over ten years of experience, he has already sold three companies and is now dedicated to revolutionizing higher education.

The Path to Serial Entrepreneurship

Bachem's founder story is characterized by continuous learning and bold decisions. Over more than a decade, he built three different companies and led them to successful exits. These experiences not only shaped his entrepreneurial perspective but also his understanding of what truly works in the digital economy.

The insights from his previous ventures now flow directly into his current project: the CODE University of Applied Sciences. As founder and chancellor of this private tech university, he pursues the ambitious goal of fundamentally rethinking and reshaping the traditional university system.

Networking as the Foundation of Success

A central pillar of Bachem's success has been his strategic approach to networking from the very beginning. Especially in the early stages of an entrepreneurial career, the right network can make the decisive difference – whether in finding investors, customers, or valuable mentors.

For aspiring founders, Bachem's approach to networking is particularly valuable: it's not about collecting as many contacts as possible, but about building authentic relationships based on mutual benefit and trust.

Choosing the Right Co-Founder

One of the most critical decisions for any founder is selecting the co-founder team. Through his three successful exits, Bachem has gained valuable experience about which criteria are truly decisive when choosing partners.

The right chemistry, complementary skills, and a shared vision are just some of the factors that can determine the success or failure of a startup. Bachem's perspective on this topic is particularly valuable as it's based on real experiences from multiple founding processes.

Vision of a New University

With CODE University, Bachem pursues a clear vision: making higher education fit for the digital future. The private tech university aims not only to deliver modern content but also to establish new teaching and learning methods that meet the demands of the digital economy.

CODE University represents a paradigm shift in education – away from rigid structures and theoretical concepts, toward hands-on learning and direct application of knowledge. For Bachem, this is not just a business model but a mission to optimally prepare the next generation of tech talent for their careers.

Insights for Founders

Bachem's story offers valuable lessons for aspiring and established founders alike. His experiences show that successful entrepreneurship is more than just a good idea – it requires the right networking strategy, smart decisions in team composition, and the courage to challenge established systems.

As Germany's youngest university chancellor, Bachem proves that age is no barrier to big visions. His combination of entrepreneurial experience and the will to rethink education makes him one of the most exciting players in the German startup ecosystem.

For those who want to learn more about Thomas Bachem's approaches and philosophies, it's worth checking out his personal website or LinkedIn profile, where he regularly shares insights into his work and thoughts.