René Mauer

René Mauer is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at ESCP Business School in Berlin, holding the Chair for Entrepreneurship. He currently serves as the academic head of the Executive Master in Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership (EMDIEL) and coordinates ESCP's European Entrepreneurship Department (Jean-Baptiste Say Institute of Entrepreneurship). Prior to joining ESCP, he was an Assistant Professor at RWTH Aachen University, where he led the start-up centre and focused on entrepreneurship education and applied research.

His expertise lies in entrepreneurial decision-making under uncertainty, particularly in venture and corporate contexts. He collaborates with SMEs and large corporations like BASF, BMW, and P&G, advising on innovation strategies and start-up ecosystems. Mauer’s practical experience includes roles at 3M, multiple startups, and management consulting, alongside co-owning a family business and co-founding a technology startup. He is a partner in the expert network Effectuation Intelligence, which explores entrepreneurial methodologies.

Research interests span effectuation theory, strategic decision-making in uncertain environments, and the dynamics of innovation ecosystems. His work bridges academic frameworks with real-world applications, emphasizing how organizations navigate ambiguity to foster growth and innovation. Mauer’s contributions include advancing corporate effectuation practices and understanding refugee entrepreneurship through embeddedness perspectives.

He actively contributes to ESCP’s international programs, promoting transnational leadership and sustainability in business education. His research and advisory work highlight the interplay between entrepreneurial mindset development, organizational culture, and systemic innovation challenges.