How it started
The story behind YETI
After his time at Manage & More in Munich, Thomas Kirchner founded the start-up ProGlove and successfully sold it after seven years. (The video is from 2018, in which he introduces the company.) In 2022, after the exit, Thomas came back to his hometown to give something back to it and built up the program YETI together with dresden|exists, the start-up service for Dresden's universities and research institutions. We can now benefit from the experience he gained at Manage & More and during his startup!
From ProGlove to YETI
After successfully building and exiting ProGlove in 2022, Thomas Kirchner returned to his hometown with a clear mission: to give something back to the community that shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Drawing from his experiences at both Manage & More in Munich and ProGlove, Thomas saw an opportunity to create something meaningful for the next generation of entrepreneurs. He partnered with dresden|exists, the start-up service for universities and scientific institutions in Dresden, to establish YETI.
The vision was simple yet ambitious: create a program that would empower students to become entrepreneurial role models and influential figures for society.
The First Generation
11 Students, 3 Months, Endless Possibilities
Within just three months, the first cohort of 11 students embarked on an intensive journey using design thinking methodologies to tackle real-world challenges.
The inaugural generation focused on critical issues affecting their community such as:
- →Urban Gardening: Developing innovative solutions for sustainable city agriculture
- →Elderly Isolation: Creating connections and support systems for isolated seniors
Through intensive workshops, mentorship sessions, and collaborative work, participants refined their prototypes and developed comprehensive solutions. The semester culminated in a Demo Day, where students presented their findings and prototypes to Dresden's vibrant startup community.
The Vision Continues
A Growing Movement
What started as a single program in Dresden has grown into a movement. The success of the first generation proved that young people, when given the right support, mentorship, and resources, can create meaningful change in their communities.
Expanding to Leipzig
Today, YETI has expanded to Leipzig, bringing the same spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship to a new city. Each generation builds on the lessons learned from the previous one, creating a growing network of young entrepreneurs ready to shape the future.
The Journey Continues
And we're just getting started
Key Milestones
ProGlove Exit & YETI Foundation
Thomas Kirchner exits ProGlove and partners with dresden|exists to establish YETI Dresden, launching the first generation in autumn.
First Demo Day
11 students present their prototypes addressing urban gardening and elderly isolation to Dresden's startup community.
Program Growth
YETI Dresden continues with additional generations, refining the curriculum and expanding the mentor network.
YETI Leipzig Launch
The program expands to Leipzig, bringing entrepreneurship education to a new city and community.
Want to be part of the story?
Join YETI and help write the next chapter of entrepreneurship in Dresden and Leipzig.