# Benjamin Bauer

> Benjamin Bauer is the Nuremberg-based co-founder and CEO of ZOLLHOF - Tech Incubator and a general partner at ZOHO.VC. His path runs from student entrepreneurship and UniCoach to building connections among founders, universities, established companies and investors in Northern Bavaria.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and CEO at ZOLLHOF - Tech Incubator; General Partner at ZOHO.VC
- **Organizations:** ZOLLHOF - Tech Incubator, ZOHO.VC, UniCoach, Gründermagnet, START Erlangen-Nürnberg, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
- **From:** Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
- **Education:** Socioeconomics; degree level not specified in the university biography, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bachelor of Arts in Business and Marketing, Hull Business School, University of Hull
- **Known for:** Co-founded UniCoach, which served students at 26 German universities., Helped establish Gründermagnet as an association connecting student entrepreneurship societies., Led ZOLLHOF during its expansion to more than 40 supported startups by November 2019.

## Career timeline

- **2009-2010** — President of START Erlangen-Nürnberg e.V.
- **2010** — Helped organize the second Startup Weekend Nuremberg.
- **2012** — Co-founded Gründermagnet in Berlin with nine other entrepreneurial students.
- **2013** — Graduated from FAU; founded UniCoach with collaborators.
- **2017** — ZOLLHOF began operating, with Bauer as CEO and co-founder.
- **2019** — Reported more than 40 supported startups and a 30-person ZOLLHOF team; joined a Bavarian delegation to China.
- **2020** — ZOLLHOF moved into renovated historic premises in Nuremberg.
- **2023** — ZOLLHOF and NürnbergMesse extended their partnership for five years.
- **2025** — ZOHO Factory selected as one of Germany’s ten federally supported Startup Factories.
- **2026** — ZOHO.VC, where Bauer is a general partner, announced its first closing.

## Achievements

- Co-founded UniCoach, which served students at 26 German universities.
- Helped establish Gründermagnet as an association connecting student entrepreneurship societies.
- Led ZOLLHOF during its expansion to more than 40 supported startups by November 2019.
- Worked with FAU and regional partners on ZOHO Factory, selected in July 2025 for federal funding of up to €10 million over five years.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Announced ZOHOrizons 2026 - The Intelligent Enterprise for October 27 at ZOLLHOF, with AI and robotics discussions involving Rebecca Lenhard and corporate representatives. The event is upcoming as of October 22.
- **2026-03** — Discussed strengthening Northern Bavaria’s startup connections and his ambition to at least double the region’s startup count over five years.
- **2026-01** — ZOHO.VC announced a first closing at 70 percent of its target fund volume and five investments already completed.
- **2025-07** — ZOHO Factory selected in the federal Startup Factories competition.

## Links

- Website: https://zollhof.de/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjabo
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/benjabo

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/benjamin-bauer
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22