# Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell

> Philipp Dettmer is the founder, CEO, and head writer of Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, the Munich-based animation studio and YouTube channel with over 25 million subscribers and 3.6 billion views. Starting as a university passion project in 2013, Kurzgesagt has grown into a 70-person studio that transforms dense scientific, philosophical, and technological ideas into visually stunning, widely-shared short films. Dettmer is also the author of 'Immune: A Journey Into the Mysterious System That Keeps You Alive' (2021) and co-creator of the video game Star Birds, launched in early access in September 2025.

- **Role:** Founder, CEO & Head Writer at Kurzgesagt
- **Organizations:** Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, Toukana Interactive (partner, Star Birds)
- **From:** Munich, Germany
- **Nationality:** German
- **Education:** Communications Design (focus on Information Design and Infographics), Munich University of Applied Sciences
- **Known for:** Built YouTube's largest science-education channel with 25.2 million subscribers (as of April 2026), Accumulated over 3.6 billion total views across the channel, First German YouTube channel to surpass 10 million subscribers (2019)

## Career timeline

- **1986** — Born in Munich, Germany
- **2001** — Dropped out of high school at age 15
- **2006** — Obtained high school degree with support from a mentor teacher
- **2013** — Graduated from Munich University of Applied Sciences; founded Kurzgesagt as a passion project
- **2013** — Published first Kurzgesagt YouTube video on July 12 (on evolution)
- **2015** — Received $570,000 grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- **2017** — Secured German public broadcasting support from Funk (ARD/ZDF) network
- **2019** — Kurzgesagt became first German YouTube channel to surpass 10 million subscribers
- **2020** — COVID-19 explainer video reaches 89 million views; won Streamy Creator Honor Award
- **2021** — Published 'Immune: A Journey Into the Mysterious System That Keeps You Alive'
- **2022** — Received €2.97 million grant from Open Philanthropy; ended Funk partnership
- **2024** — Announced Star Birds game partnership with Toukana Interactive (creators of Dorfromantik)
- **2025** — Star Birds launched in Early Access on Steam (September 10), receiving 95% positive reviews
- **2026** — Kurzgesagt surpasses 25.2 million YouTube subscribers and 3.6 billion total views

## Achievements

- Built YouTube's largest science-education channel with 25.2 million subscribers (as of April 2026)
- Accumulated over 3.6 billion total views across the channel
- First German YouTube channel to surpass 10 million subscribers (2019)
- Most-viewed COVID-19 explainer: 'The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do' – 89 million views
- Won Streamy Creator Honor Award in 2020 (presented by Marques Brownlee)
- Secured $570,000 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant (2015)
- Secured €2.97 million Open Philanthropy grant (March 2022)
- Published bestselling book 'Immune' (2021) – endorsed by John Green
- Launched Star Birds (2025) to 95% positive reviews on Steam with 200,000+ demo players
- Operates a 70-person Munich-based studio spanning animation, agency, and game development
- Channels available in 8+ languages including German, Spanish, French, Hindi, Arabic, Japanese, Korean

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Kurzgesagt surpasses 25.2 million YouTube subscribers and 3.6 billion total views
- **2025-12** — Star Birds first major content update entered beta, free for all early access owners
- **2025-09** — Star Birds launched on Steam Early Access with 200,000+ demo players and 95% positive reviews
- **2025-06** — Star Birds PC game officially announced in partnership with Toukana Interactive
- **2024-09** — Released updated 'We Need to Rethink Exercise' video after consulting additional experts

## Links

- Website: https://kurzgesagt.org/
- LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/philipp-dettmer-80a8ba77
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Kurz_Gesagt
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagt
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kurzgesagt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kurzgesagt
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kurz_gesagt

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/kurzgesagt
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-19