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Philipp Rittershaus

Philipp Rittershaus

Head of Corporate Innovation & Startup Coaching

Philipp has gained extensive experience as LifeScience Investor at the High-Tech Gruenderfonds and has a background in industrial biotechnology. Philipp holds a Doctorate degree in Biotechnology from the University of Hohenheim, an MBA in Engineering Management from the University of Applied Sciences Mannheim and a Master in technical Biology from the University of Stuttgart.

Gaia Amatteis

Gaia Amatteis

Head of Program

Gaia is a passionate and value-driven business professional with more than 7 years of cross-functional experience working for a variety of companies (B2B multinational companies, startups, and startup accelerators). She is highly organized with a proven track record of successfully implementing strategies and leading operational efficiency. She is passionate about innovation and sustainability. She has a Double Master Degree in International Business and Economics.

Caspar Olenhusen

Caspar Olenhusen

Startup Coach

Caspar provides over ten years of first-hand experience from the corporate (KWS, John Deere), startup and venture capital world. His passion spans across the agri-food-tech value chain, and he is eager to have a sustainable impact. Caspar studied in the USA and UK and has an MBA in International Food & Agribusiness.

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Ilka Gomez

Project Manager

Ilka is an experienced agronomist and project manager. Her experiences include research activities at the Ohio State University (USA), management of vegetable production under protected conditions in Nicaragua (where she is originally from), and lately as a project operations consultant at the UN-FAO. Ilka holds a Master's Degree in International Horticulture from the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany), and a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture from the Pan-American University of Agriculture (Zamorano), located in Honduras.

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Hans-Henning Schuur

COO & Head of Partnerships

Henning grew up in agriculture, gaining early insight into the sector’s balance between tradition and transformation. With a degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Göttingen, he has worked at the intersection of politics, business, and innovation—first as a parliamentary advisor on agriculture, environment, and energy, then as Public Affairs Manager and Deputy Managing Director of the Marketing Association for Lower Saxony’s Agri-Food Sector. He led the development of the "Alternative Proteins" division and built a network of over 50 companies. As a member of the EU CAP Expert Group, he focuses on translating innovations into practice through policy, business models, and strategic collaborations.

Mario Verbeek

Mario Verbeek

Startup & Innovation Manager

Mario, a seasoned enthusiast of the startup ecosystem, evolved from horticulture roots. At the beginning of his career, he grew ornamental plants during his apprenticeship, then studied a mix of environmental & agricultural economics while working on his own startup. He further sharpened his skills for several years at the Centre for Business Management in Horticulture and Applied Research (University of Hohenheim, Germany). Now at RootCamp, Mario is our go-to Startup & Innovation Manager. He scouts and assesses potential bioeconomy startups, and serves as the open-minded first contact for founders interested in RootCamp.

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Emilia Muñoz

MARKETING WORKING STUDENT

Emilia is a dynamic and creative mind. She is studying between Spain and Germany and currently pursuing her second bachelor's degree in International Business, building on her background in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations. Emilia brings a vibrant energy and a passion for learn.

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Annkathrin Wahbi

PROJECT AND INNOVATION MANAGER

Annkathrin holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the Georg-August-University in Göttingen and has studied Sustainable International Agriculture in Germany and Chile. Her work experience includes academic research, project management, and innovation in various countries and institutions, such as KWS, Oxfam, and the DAAD. As Project & Innovation Manager at RootCamp, she is responsible for various projects and business development activities.

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Simone Poppe

Startup Coach

The climate and food situation urgently require a change in the global food system. This requires experienced and forward-looking experts who have comprehensive expertise in the entire food sector. Simone Poppe is one such expert who successfully supports companies, startups and institutions in various forms, intensities and functions in the NewFood sector.

Margarita Klyuchko

Margarita Klyuchko

EVENT & COMMUNITY MANAGER

Margarita is passionate about events. Having experience in hosting events in Dubai she is engaged in arranging corporate and private gatherings for companies or individuals.

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