German UDS gains Entrepreneur Patrick Gruhn as a new Shareholder

The German University of Digital Science (German UDS) is expanding its shareholder base with the addition of digital entrepreneur and serial founder Patrick Gruhn. He will also actively contribute to teaching with a startup seminar and invest up to $1,000,000 in promising student ideas through a startup program. A trained lawyer and software developer, Gruhn has founded numerous companies, which he has successfully exited or continues to lead. With his wealth of entrepreneurial experience, international network, and expertise in developing digital services, Gruhn will support the university in establishing and scaling innovative and fully digital educational formats both nationally and internationally. Since February 2025, German UDS has been the first fully accredited digital university in Germany. It was founded in 2023 by Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, former director of the Hasso Plattner Institute, and Prof. Dr. Mike Friedrichsen, who has over 25 years of experience in online teaching as a professor of business informatics and digital media. With the addition of Patrick Gruhn to the shareholder group, the university's initiatives for building international collaborations and scaling digital teaching and research formats will be strengthened. Patrick Gruhn will offer an exclusive startup founding seminar and share his experience from building successful companies. "My goal is not only to teach students theoretical concepts, but also proven strategies that deliver real results in the digital economy," says Patrick Gruhn. Furthermore, as a business angel, he plans to invest up to $1,000,000 in promising student ideas as part of a planned startup program.

New Forms of Research and Teaching for the AI Age

"The rapid pace of technological change and the AI-driven transformation of entire industries urgently require new, scalable forms of teaching and research," says Patrick Gruhn. "I am delighted to support German UDS on this path and to make the vision of a globally accessible digital university a reality." Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel emphasizes: “Patrick Gruhn is a partner who shares our ambition for the consistent digitization of science and enriches the shareholder group with valuable expertise in international scaling.” Prof. Dr. Mike Friedrichsen adds: “With Patrick Gruhn, we are strengthening our ability to develop innovative teaching formats and provide students worldwide with practical skills that optimally prepare them for the world of work today and tomorrow.

For the first time, German UDS enables students worldwide to earn a state-accredited German university degree entirely digitally and regardless of location. At launch, German UDS offers MBA programs in Digital Transformation and Digital Technologies, as well as four specialized Master of Science programs in Applied AI, Advanced Digital Reality, Cybersecurity, and Digital Leadership. A Bachelor's program (B.Sc. Digital World) is currently in development. In addition, micro-degrees and open online courses are available.