Prof. Dr. Malte Brettel stands as a prominent figure in academia and entrepreneurship, serving as a professor of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at RWTH Aachen University while simultaneously holding the position of adjunct professor at WHU (Otto-Beisheim-School of Management, Germany), where he leads the Chair of Business Administration for Engineers and Natural Scientists. His extensive academic contributions span across entrepreneurial finance, innovation management, and entrepreneurial marketing, with his research finding its way into prestigious publications including the Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Journal of Business Venturing, and Marketing Letters. Beyond the academic realm, Prof. Brettel has demonstrated his practical expertise through co-founding multiple companies, taking on managing director roles, and actively participating as a business angel, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world business application.