All press releases

Professor of Finance Michael Weber, who joined ESMT Berlin in April 2026, will officially receive the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship on May 12, 2026. With this appointment, Weber becomes the first scholar at a private university to receive this prestigious research award. Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space, and Robert Schlögl, president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, will present the award at a ceremony at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will participate in the fourth Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD), taking place October 20-22, 2026, at ESMT Berlin. This year’s summit convenes under the theme “Advancing Alliances for the New Era.”

On April 1, 2026, Michael Weber joined ESMT Berlin as professor of finance. His appointment marks the first time a business school has received a renowned Alexander von Humboldt Professorship.

The partnership between the BMW Group and ESMT Berlin enters its fifth year. In 2026, the BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship will once again support future leaders who want to actively shape digital transformation. The fellowships are available for ESMT’s Full-time MBA and MSc programs as well as the Global Online MBA.

Companies invest heavily in breakthrough technologies, from industrial software to AI-powered platforms. Yet many radical innovations fail not because customers reject them, but because sales teams hesitate to promote them. A new study by ESMT Berlin reveals a key psychological barrier behind this hesitation: salespeople’s fear of “losing face” in front of customers.

This year’s Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) will take place from October 20 to October 22 at ESMT Berlin under the theme “Advancing Alliances for the New Era”.

The Bureaucracy Index, which tracks the growth in the volume of applicable German federal laws, has once again reached a record high. Since 2010, the volume of legislation has risen steadily, with no structural reversal in sight. The scope of legislation continued to rise in 2025. Despite commitments to reducing bureaucracy, regulation has not eased.

ESMT Berlin is offering full and partial scholarships for women leaders in its Executive Education programs. Through this, the business school continues its support of experienced women managers in strengthening their strategic and general management capabilities and advancing into top leadership roles.

In partnership with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), the Institute for Deep Tech Innovation (DEEP) at ESMT Berlin has signed a landmark agreement to expand its footprint globally and strengthen the program offering in both Berlin and Doha in areas of technology transfer and innovation.

ESMT Berlin has appointed Sigmar Gabriel as an honorary senator, recognizing his long-standing commitment to democracy, Europe, and open dialogue between politics, business, and society. The distinction honors his role as a trusted partner of the school and his contribution to strengthening Berlin’s national and international reputation as a center for business and academic excellence.

A new study reveals how entrepreneurs can win support for their ideas from audiences who never speak up. The research shows that the way entrepreneurs engage with a few vocal participants in online discussions can crucially shape how the larger, silent audience perceives and supports their ideas.

On January 1, 2026, Ulf Schäfer joined ESMT Berlin as a senior lecturer in strategy.

For decades, researchers and practitioners have debated whether it is better to make the first offer in a negotiation or to wait. A new meta-study now provides a comprehensive and clear answer. The researchers analyzed 90 studies with a total of 374 experiments and more than 16,000 participants. Their conclusion: Those who make the first offer and come well prepared generally achieve better outcomes.

Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT Berlin, has been appointed as a nonpartisan expert to the newly established Pension Commission of the Federal Republic of Germany. The federal cabinet formally constituted the commission on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT Berlin, has been confirmed as the chair of the steering committee of the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) for a second term. The vote took place during the virtual 28th GNAM Deans and Directors meeting. His renewed mandate highlights the continued strategic role that ESMT plays within this global alliance of leading business schools.