Teilnehmer 2026

(From left to right: Lars Kobel, Jonathan Böffel, Anna Schröder, Marco Graf, Marcel Mallach)

Lars Kobel

Lars is currently in the final semester of his Master’s in Industrial Engineering at the RPTU Kaiserslautern focusing on management of the digital transformation as well as energy technology and thermodynamics. Now he works on his master thesis at the chair of marketing management at RPTU Kaiserslautern, where he investigates topics like dynamic pricing and electronic shelf labels and their influence on customer behavior. 
Additionally, he gained several years of working experience in the field of energy supply and renewable energies. Currently he works in the field of project development for renewable energy projects, gaining further experience in stakeholder management, technical project planning as well as project finance and M&A. In his free time Lars especially enjoys music. He plays the guitar and drums and loves both making music for his own as well as jamming together with other musicians. Furthermore, he loves collecting and tasting whisky.

Jonathan Böffel

Jonathan is a Master’s student in Industrial Engineering with a strong interdisciplinary background, currently focusing on composite materials in aerospace applications. During his semester abroad at Seoul National University, he deepened his expertise in investments and sustainability economics, gaining a global perspective on innovation and technology. 
Jonathan was awarded the Hornbach Prize for outstanding academic achievements and has been a scholarship recipient of the German state for five consecutive years. Professionally, he gained valuable experience at PwC, contributing to projects in data management, governance, and public sector digital transformation. His analytical mindset, combined with structured problem-solving and creativity, allows him to develop precise and innovative solutions to complex challenges. Outside of academics, Jonathan has played football for many years, representing the Saarland state team — a regional selection competing in national tournaments as a pathway to the German youth national team — and enjoys road cycling and tennis.

Anna Schröder

Anna is a Master’s student in Business Administration at RPTU Kaiserslautern, specializing in Marketing, Digital Transformation Management, and Sustainability Management. Alongside her studies, she has gained diverse experience. First through six years working in gastronomy, which strengthened her resilience and teamwork skills, and later through positions as a student assistant at the Marketing chair and as a working student in Marketing. With a multicultural background rooted in Germany and Peru, she values engaging with different perspectives. Traveling has been a key part of her personal development, from a semester abroad in Madrid to exploring South America and beyond. In her free time, Anna enjoys cooking and especially baking, where she can combine creativity with precision and share her passion with others.

Marco Graf

Marco is currently in his third semester of his Master in Business Administration at the RPTU Kaiserslautern, where he also completed his bachelor's degree. During his studies, he is focusing on Entrepreneurship, Strategy/Organization and Marketing Management. He gains extensive experience in teamwork and regularly presents results in management presentations. Since 2022, Marco has been gaining practical experience as a working student in the automotive industry at BorgWarner Aftermarket Europe GmbH. He supports the product management by providing and maintaining relevant information, and he works closely with product line managers on launching new products. In his free time, Marco maintains his balance by doing strength training, going for runs, and spending time with his family and friends.

Coach 2025

Marcel Mallach

Marcel teaches marketing in the Management Department at the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, focusing on market research, negotiation management, and case studies. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a technical qualification in mechanical engineering, specializing in entrepreneurship and marketing. As part of his studies, he spent two semesters abroad — one in Oulu, Finland, and another in Barcelona, Spain. Currently, Marcel is pursuing a Ph.D. in Marketing at the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau. His research focuses on consumer decision-making, price framing, and behavioral marketing. Beyond academia, he is passionate about investing and the stock market, and in his free time, he enjoys photography, tennis, bouldering, exploring new countries, and — most recently — road biking.