Dr Maurice Steinhoff | Entrepreneurship | Best Researcher Award

Dr Maurice Steinhoff, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Germany

Dr. Maurice M. Steinhoff is a prominent figure in the field of entrepreneurship, currently serving as the Head of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. With a PhD in Strategic Entrepreneurship, Dr. Steinhoff has made significant contributions to both academia and industry. As Co-Founder and Managing Director of HHL DIGITAL SPACE, he leads initiatives that foster innovation and digital transformation. His career is marked by a strong focus on corporate venturing, entrepreneurship, and business model innovation, particularly within SMEs. Dr. Steinhoff’s work bridges the gap between academic research and practical applications, making him a key player in the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems. His extensive experience in consulting, incubation management, and teaching, along with his active involvement in research, positions him as a leader in the field of strategic entrepreneurship.

Publication Profile

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Strengths for the Award

1. Leadership in Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Dr. Steinhoff’s role as Head of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management highlights his leadership and ability to foster innovation. His experience in guiding and managing entrepreneurial initiatives is a significant strength.
2. Academic and Professional Background: Dr. Steinhoff’s PhD in Strategic Entrepreneurship and extensive experience in entrepreneurship and digital space management demonstrate his deep expertise in these fields. His academic achievements and roles in academia bolster his qualifications.
3. Research Contributions: Dr. Steinhoff has a strong research background with publications in reputable journals, including studies on corporate venturing, business model innovation, and digitization in SMEs. His research is relevant, timely, and contributes to the understanding of entrepreneurship in a digital age.
4. Teaching and Mentorship: His involvement in teaching and mentorship, particularly in entrepreneurship and problem-solving, reflects his commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and researchers. His work in the HHL DIGITAL SPACE Incubation Program is especially noteworthy.
5. Industry Engagement: Dr. Steinhoff’s professional experience, including his time as a consultant and his role in managing digital ventures, shows his ability to bridge the gap between academia and industry, which is crucial for impactful research.

Areas for Improvement

1. Publication Volume: While Dr. Steinhoff has published several impactful papers, increasing the volume of publications in high-impact journals could further strengthen his research portfolio.
2. Broader Recognition: Expanding his research impact beyond Germany and gaining broader international recognition could enhance his profile for global awards.
3. Diversification of Research: Although Dr. Steinhoff’s research focuses on relevant areas like corporate venturing and digitization, exploring additional emerging topics in entrepreneurship, such as sustainability or AI-driven business models, could diversify his research contributions.

Education 

Dr. Maurice M. Steinhoff’s academic journey reflects a deep commitment to the study of entrepreneurship and management. He earned his PhD in Strategic Entrepreneurship from HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management in 2022, where his research focused on entrepreneurial actions and business model innovation. Prior to that, he completed an M.A. in Management with a specialization in Strategic Management and Organizations from Europa University, Flensburg, Germany, in 2018. His foundation in the field was laid with a B.Sc. in Information Systems from the University of Applied Sciences, Flensburg, Germany, in 2016. Additionally, Dr. Steinhoff broadened his global perspective by participating in the DAAD Exchange Program in 2014, attending a Spring School on Business Models, IT, and Logistics in Douala, Cameroon. His educational background equips him with a robust understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurship and strategic management.

Experience

Dr. Maurice M. Steinhoff brings a wealth of professional experience to his role as Head of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. Since 2022, he has also served as Co-Founder and Managing Director of HHL DIGITAL SPACE, where he oversees digital transformation initiatives and entrepreneurial ventures. Previously, from 2020 to 2022, Dr. Steinhoff was the Lead Incubation Manager at HHL DIGITAL SPACE, where he guided startups through critical early stages of development. His experience also includes a tenure as a Research Associate at the Chair of Strategy & Digital Entrepreneurship at HHL, where he contributed to cutting-edge research in digital entrepreneurship. Dr. Steinhoff’s career began in the industry as a Consultant at MAC IT-Solutions in Flensburg, Germany, from 2014 to 2018, and as a Founder of Project Interactive from 2012 to 2014, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit from an early stage.

Research Focus 

Dr. Maurice M. Steinhoff’s research is centered on the intersection of corporate venturing, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. His work explores how businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), can innovate and adapt in the digital age. A significant part of his research focuses on business model innovation, investigating how companies can evolve their strategies to remain competitive in rapidly changing markets. Dr. Steinhoff is particularly interested in the success metrics of corporate venturing, aiming to develop frameworks that help organizations measure and enhance their entrepreneurial activities. His research also delves into the entrepreneurial actions of both novice and experienced entrepreneurs, offering insights into the different approaches taken at various stages of venture creation. By bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications, Dr. Steinhoff’s research contributes to the broader understanding of strategic entrepreneurship and its role in driving innovation and growth in the digital economy.

Publication Top Notes

📊 Digitalisierung im sächsischen Mittelstand – Status Quo, Bedarfe und Ableitungen (2019)

📈 Measuring the success of corporate venturing: Integrating three decades of research (2021)

🌐 Facebook and the creation of the metaverse: Radical business model innovation or incremental transformation? (2022)

🏨 A Framework for Business Model Innovation in the Tourism Industry (2022)

🚀 Acting beyond concepts: A comparative study of entrepreneurial actions between novice and experienced entrepreneurs in early-stage venture creation (2024)

Conclusion:

Dr. Maurice M. Steinhoff is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his leadership in entrepreneurship, significant research contributions, and active role in both academic and industry settings. While he has areas where further development could be beneficial, such as increasing his publication volume and broadening his research focus, his current achievements make him a compelling contender for this recognition.