Manuel Hess

Manuel Hess, a German national, serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting, Law & Finance. His academic work focuses on Venture Capital, New Venture Growth, Gender Equality, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Governance, New Venture Boards, and Social Networks. Hess's research provides critical insights into startup funding dynamics, board governance structures, and gender-based disparities in entrepreneurial success.

Hess investigates venture capital decision-making processes with emphasis on corporate strategic search, technology sourcing ambidexterity, and gender bias in investor evaluations. His work reveals how physical appearance affects women entrepreneurs' funding outcomes and how emotional dynamics undermine gender equality in boardrooms. He also develops practical frameworks like the Startup Navigator to guide entrepreneurs through scaling challenges and governance complexities.

Analysis of Hess's 2020-2025 publications shows a cohesive research trajectory centered on venture capital-performance linkages, gender dynamics in entrepreneurship, and startup governance evolution. Key contributions include identifying performance spillovers from core-focused corporate venture capital, documenting attractiveness biases in funding decisions, and exposing emotional barriers to boardroom equality. His recent work increasingly integrates practical tool development with theoretical insights for entrepreneurial ecosystems.