Zarah Bruhn exemplifies a new wave of female entrepreneurs who blend business expertise with a commitment to social responsibility.
Born in 1991, she is a founder, social entrepreneur, board member, and political influencer, recognized as one of Germany’s leading advocates for social innovation. Her work highlights how bravery, entrepreneurship, and technology can not only address social issues but also resolve them fundamentally.
Zarah Bruhn Lecture topics
New beginnings, courage & the positive unknown
- Innovation as the greatest opportunity in a rapidly changing world
- Changing the world has never been more accessible
- Global role models – from Nobel Peace Prize winners to superhackers
Entrepreneurship, impact & inspiration
- Radical thinking as the foundation for the future
- The responsibilities of corporations and individuals
- The willingness to take risks, embrace responsibility, and pursue innovation passionately
Social Innovation, Technology & the State
- How technology addresses social challenges
- The role of AI in education, democracy, and welfare systems
- Moonshots for society – exploring the most ambitious future innovations
“My goal is to motivate audiences to embrace risk, accept responsibility, and courageously explore new paths. Attendees experience a shift in mindset that reveals: everyone can make an impact – within their own role, team, or organization.” – Zarah Bruhn
Zarah Bruhn studied Economics and Technology at the Technical University of Munich and the University of Mannheim. At the age of 25, she founded socialbee, a company that since 2016 has supported thousands of refugees in finding employment, addressed skilled labor shortages, and fostered diversity and openness within the German economy.
In 2022, she was appointed as the first Commissioner for Social Innovation at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and joined the Federal Government’s Council for Sustainable Development. Since 2025, she has been leading the Social Innovation division at the Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovations (SPRIND). Her achievements have earned her multiple awards, including ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’.
Since 2025, she has been advancing the social innovation program at SPRIND, seeking out major societal breakthroughs. She supports and invests in bold, unconventional projects in education, welfare, and democracy, aiming to strengthen Europe through innovation and prepare society for the future in the AI era.
She authored the book ‘Wer, wenn nicht wir’ (Who, if not us?), published by Rowohlt in 2025.
Zarah Bruhn’s presentations foster optimism about the future by encouraging a change in perspective, a sense of responsibility, and bold action.
