Hamburger Gründerpreis 2024 for Klaus-Michael Kühne, SINUS and Planeteers
The Hamburger Gründerpreis (Hamburg Founder's Award) 2024 goes to the Hamburg entrepreneur and patron Prof.Dr.h.c. Klaus-Michael Kühne, the company SINUS Nachrichtentechnik and the climate startup Planeteers. The awards, initiated by Hamburger Sparkasse and the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper, were presented in the startup, rising star and lifetime achievement categories at a gala ceremony in the Fischauktionshalle.
Planeteers wins in the startup category
Founded in Hamburg at the end of 2022 by Florian Birner, Florian Brinkmann, Dr Frank Rattey and Prof Jens Hartmann, the startup Planeteers has developed a process that allows large quantities of CO2 to be stored permanently and safely in the sea. The founders utilise the natural process of limestone weathering. The modular mobile reactor units, which can be expanded as required, can be used directly at large CO2 emitters such as industrial companies or sewage treatment plants. The first pilot plants are already in use, financed by a recently completed seven-figure financing round. Additional support comes from IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH via the InnoRampUp programme.
The rising star is SINUS Nachrichtentechnik GmbH
Founded in 1983, the company is a leader in the field of communications and telecommunications technology. It specialises in high-availability communication systems for critical infrastructures. This includes control centre technology, vehicle communication, radio and alarm systems for industrial companies, authorities, fire brigades, rescue services, police, airports, public utilities and local transport. For customers such as Bayer, Henkel and Hanover Airport, SINUS develops customised communication solutions from a modular system, which are integrated and supported on site. With over 90 employees at five locations, Managing Director Marcus Landschof's company recently achieved an annual turnover of 18 million euros.
Klaus-Michael Kühne honoured for his lifetime achievement
This year's award in the lifetime achievement category went to entrepreneur and patron Prof. Dr h.c. Klaus-Michael Kühne. The laudatory speech was held by Hamburg's First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher. Born and raised in Hamburg in 1937, Kühne joined the family business Kühne + Nagel in 1958 and became its CEO in 1966. As Honorary Chairman and majority shareholder, he continues to be closely associated with the Group via Kühne Holding, which today is one of the world's leading logistics providers.Through Kühne Holding AG, he is active in many areas as an investor. For example, he holds significant stakes in Hapag-Lloyd AG and Deutsche Lufthansa AG. He also founded the Kühne Logistics University, participated in the construction of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, supports the State Opera and the HSV football club and runs the top hotel The FONTENAY. His Kühne Foundation also supports projects in the fields of education, medicine, culture and climate research.
