The Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM) is a joint institution founded by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU München) and the Technical University Munich (TUM). Inspired by a visit to MIT, CDTM focuses on interdisciplinary education and innovation. Since its inception, CDTM has "Connected, Educated, and Empowered the Innovators of Tomorrow," serving as a hub for cutting-edge education, research, and entrepreneurship. Today, its 1,150 alumni are active in fields ranging from academia and venture capital to BigTech, SMEs, politics, NGOs, and startups. With 260 startups founded and 8 unicorns among them, CDTM alumni have made a significant entrepreneurial impact in Germany.
The success of CDTM stems from its emphasis on interdisciplinary excellence, international and gender diversity, and diverse personal achievements. Students come from varied academic fields and have accomplished extraordinary things, such as creating viral apps, winning prestigious awards like the German Movie Prize, and advocating for social causes. The Trend Seminar, an interdisciplinary research project, reflects this ethos, with past topics ranging from AI in climate change to sustainable aviation. The diversity of experiences fosters collaboration and innovation, driving future-focused outcomes across industries.
History
Founded in 1998,[1] CDTM was established by Manfred Broy, Jörg Eberspächer, Arnold Picot, and Andrew Kelly to bridge the gap between technology and management education. It aims to provide students with entrepreneurial and innovative education, advancing research in diverse fields. In 2024, CDTM expanded globally by opening a new center in Valencia, Spain, furthering its mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship on an international scale.[2]
Education
CDTM’s Technology Management program is an elite, interdisciplinary study program that equips students with both technical skills and leadership abilities. Spanning 1.5 to 2 years, this 45 ECTS program is recognized by the Elite Network of Bavaria. Each semester, 25 students are selected from over 300-400 applicants, representing diverse academic backgrounds including engineering, computer science, business, and law. The program emphasizes a combination of entrepreneurial, technical, and innovation skills, preparing students to excel in technology-driven fields. Leadership development is also central, fostering future leaders in the tech space.
The institute is situated at Marsstraße 20–22 in Munich.
Curriculum Structure
1. Core Modules
Trend Seminar: This is the first module students undertake. In small interdisciplinary teams, students explore research emerging trends.
The Future of Digital Solutions for Sustainable Aviation (2023): Explored digital innovations to reduce the environmental impact of aviation, investigating how technology could transform operations and sustainability in the sector.
The Future of Maritime Shipping (2023): Analyzed the global economic role of maritime shipping, its sustainability efforts, and its potential to continue driving prosperity and environmental responsibility.
The Future of Communication Technology (2023): Focused on 6G research and its role in shaping the communication landscape, with a particular emphasis on entrepreneurial education for future engineers.
Tackling Climate Change in the AI Era (2022): Explored how AI could support sectors like agriculture and energy, mitigating climate change while promoting economic benefits and sustainable business models.
The Future of Mittelstand (2022): Investigated how technological, economic, and environmental changes might reshape Germany’s small to mid-sized businesses, essential to the nation’s economy.
The Future of Waste Management (2021): Examined innovations in waste recycling and reuse, including how consumer habits and legislation could influence sustainability efforts in waste management.
Smart Living of the Future (2021): Addressed how digital technologies will affect future living spaces, from data privacy issues to environmental changes and post-COVID impacts on daily life.
Independent Living for the Elderly (2020): Focused on innovations to support elderly independence, including solutions for health, financial security, and social connection.
Public Administration in the Digital Era (2020): Explored how digital technologies could reshape public services, making interactions with government more efficient, secure, and trusted.
Parentech – The Future of Parenting (2019): Analyzed how technological advancements are influencing parenting, including the role of tech in children’s development and family dynamics
Managing Product Development (MPD): In this module, students collaborate with industry partners to work on real product development projects. They gain practical experience in managing projects, collaborating in teams, and working with cutting-edge technology.
Entrepreneurship Laboratory: This module allows students to apply their knowledge by working on consulting projects for real-world partners. It is particularly valuable for technical students, as it exposes them to business challenges and project work that they may not typically encounter during their studies.
2. Elective Modules
In addition to the core modules, students can choose from a variety of electives designed to broaden their expertise in specific areas. These electives vary each semester, and covered topics such as Conscious Leadership, Self-Leadership Backbone, How LLMs Work, Deeptech Spinoff, and Career Planning, allowing students to customize their learning experience based on personal interests and career goals. This flexibility helps students deepen their knowledge in areas that are directly relevant to their future career paths and entrepreneurial ambitions.
3. Task Forces
Furthermore, students take part in Task Forces that shape the CDTM experience. These Task Forces include Marketing & Branding, Onboarding, Ecosystem Building, Center Life, and Community Engagement, allowing students to gain hands-on leadership experience while contributing to various aspects of the center’s operations and culture.
4. International Experience
A key requirement of the CDTM curriculum is that students spend at least four months abroad as part of their studies. This can be arranged through TUM and LMU collaborations, CDTM's network, or self-organized programs. CDTM has partnerships with leading universities worldwide, such as UC Berkeley, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich and HEC Montréal.[3] among others. These collaborations provide students with invaluable global exposure, enabling them to conduct research in diverse academic settings, gain international perspectives, and develop crucial cross-cultural competencies.
This combination of theoretical learning, soft skills development, and practical leadership through Task Force work ensures that graduates are prepared to drive innovation in diverse industries with a strong entrepreneurial mindset. The close connection to the industry and startup ecosystem, along with opportunities to collaborate on real-world projects, further enhances students' readiness for post-graduation opportunities such as internships, jobs, or even startup ventures.
CDTM Structure
The Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM) operates with a hierarchical yet interconnected structure that emphasizes self-organization and active student involvement. At the top of the hierarchy are the Scientific Directors, comprising two professors who provide overarching guidance. Below them, the Board of Directors, consisting of key positions, oversees strategic decisions. The Management Team, made up of 12 doctoral candidates, while doing their PhD, manages, teaches, day-to-day operations and manage the Student Task Forces.
CDTM also maintains strong connections with external partners in industry and academia. This includes lecturers who are domain experts and Project Partners from businesses, research institutes, and NGOs. The structure fosters collaboration across these external entities, demonstrating CDTM’s commitment to learning from each other and making sure all parties involved stay at the forefront of innovation.
Stories of Alumni and CDTM Affiliated StartUps
Alumni
With over 1150 alumni, CDTM has a strong network of professionals who are leading innovation across various industries both in Germany and internationally. Notably, 36% of graduates co-found a startup within five years of starting the program, more than 50% have co-founded a company at least once within ten years. CDTM alumni have co-founded over 260 technology startups across a wide range of different industries creating more than 10.000 jobs. CDTM affiliated startups have raised over EUR 7.9 billion in venture capital funding, with 8 startups being valued at more than EUR 1 billion. In 2022 11.07% of total German venture capital investment volume went to CDTM affiliated startups. Over 20 alumni have been appointed to professorships at renowned universities.
The Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM) has been instrumental in fostering a number of successful startups, many of which have gone on to become industry leaders or participate in the prestigious Y Combinator (YC) accelerator program. Below are some of the startups founded by CDTM alumni: that reached a unicorn status.
CDTM Affiliated Unicorn StartUps
Razor Group (Founded 2020): A global consumer holding company focused on acquiring high-quality Amazon FBA merchants. Razor enhances these businesses with significant growth capital and e-commerce expertise, aiming for long-term value and customer satisfaction. Founded by Jonas Diezun, CDTM Class Fall 2012.
TIER Mobility (Founded 2018): Europe’s leading shared micro-mobility provider, offering e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-mopeds through a proprietary energy network. TIER aims to reduce car dependence and provide sustainable mobility solutions, operating in hundreds of cities globally. Co-founded by Julian Blessin, CDTM Class Winter 2006.
Monzo Bank (Founded 2015): A digital bank designed to simplify money management via smartphones. Monzo offers a full UK bank account with transparent, fair, and easy-to-use banking services. Co-founded by Jonas Templestein and Jonas Huckestein, CDTM Class Winter 2010.
Trade Republic (Founded 2015): A digital brokerage that provides commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, commodities, currencies, and cryptocurrencies through a smartphone app. Trade Republic aims to democratize access to capital markets. Founded by Thomas Pischke, CDTM Class Spring 2014.
Forto (Founded 2016): A logistics platform offering end-to-end digital solutions for supply chain management. Forto supports customers with greater visibility, control, and efficiency in their supply chains. Co-founded by Erik Muttersbach and Michael Wax, CDTM Class Spring 2013.
Personio (Founded 2015): An all-in-one HR software platform for SMEs, designed to streamline HR processes and improve organizational efficiency. Personio's new People Workflow Automation feature enhances business operations. Co-founded by Arseniy Vershinin, Hanno Renner, Ignaz Forstmeier, and Roman Schumacher, CDTM Classes Spring 2014, Spring 2014, Spring 2013, Spring 2014.
Cellares (Founded 2019): Innovates in cell therapy manufacturing with The Cell Shuttle, an automated solution that improves scalability, reduces process failures, and cuts manufacturing costs. Founded by Fabian Gerlinghaus, CDTM Class Spring 2012.
foodora (Founded 2014, now inactive): An on-demand food delivery service known for quick restaurant meal deliveries and Q-commerce in the Nordics. Co-founded by Konstantin Mehl, Manuel Thurner, Sergei Krauze, and Stefan Rothlehner, CDTM Classes Spring 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Spring 2010.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe
Several CDTM alumni have been recognized in Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 Europe list, highlighting their achievements in entrepreneurship and technology. Here are the notable individuals from CDTM who received this accolade in 2022
Hagen Schmidtchen (Class of Spring 2016) - Hagen, a co-founder of Remberg, was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Entrepreneurship in 2022. Remberg is noted for its innovative work in the manufacturing industry.
Cecil Wöbker (Class of Fall 2016) - Like Hagen, Cecil Wöbker, also a co-founder of Remberg, was recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Entrepreneurship in 2022.
Leon Szeli (Class of Spring 2018) - Leon Szeli, co-founder of Prezise, was honored in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Entrepreneurship in 2022. Prezise is known for its advancements in the retail and e-commerce sectors.
Awais Shafique (Class of Spring 2018) - Alongside Leon Szeli, Awais Shafique, also a co-founder of Prezise, was recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Entrepreneurship in 2022.
Johannes Müller (Class of Fall 2014) - Johannes Müller, known for his contributions to the technology sector, was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for Entrepreneurship in 2022.
Alumni
As of October 2021, the CDTM has expanded its alumni network to over 900 graduates. In total, over 230 companies have been founded by CDTM alumni since its establishment.[4]
