Carolin Krieweth – Building Bridges Between Theory and Practice
How the assistant professor at RWTH Aachen University inspires students to innovate
Carolin Krieweth joins us for the interview from the Collective Incubator – a space shared by RWTH and FH Aachen where startup teams, innovators, and entrepreneurs come together to develop and test ideas. It’s a fitting location, considering that Krieweth herself is a co-founder of the startup Regascold.
Regascold has developed a technology that converts waste heat from liquified gas used in cooling processes into usable energy – quite an engineering feat for an economist. “Honestly, I don’t know anything about thermodynamics,” she says with a laugh. That expertise comes from her co-founders. Krieweth’s role centers on market strategy, business development, and organizational leadership. “Without a functioning product, there is no business model – but without a sound market strategy, financing, and management, even the best technology won’t succeed.” For Carolin Krieweth, Regascold is a perfect intersection of business and engineering. The idea that led to the company’s founding came from her professional network. “It was economically promising and socially meaningful – that combination ultimately convinced me.” Today, she serves Regascold in an advisory role.
Carolin Krieweth made headlines in the spring of 2025 when she was named to the Forbes “30 Under 30” list. “It was a tremendous honor, and it reinforced the feeling that the work I’ve done over the past few years is being recognized and appreciated,” she reflects. For Regascold, it meant new connections, increased visibility, and conversations with major investors. But Krieweth stays grounded: “In the end, what really counts is what you actually achieve.”
But beyond the Forbes list, thermodynamics, and startup ventures, Carolin Krieweth is first and foremost an assistant professor at RWTH Aachen University and an economist through and through. Asked about her current research, her eyes light up. She is particularly fascinated by how founders’ personal traits shape team dynamics. For example, what happens to a team when the CEO is narcissistic or paranoid? Krieweth often grounds her research questions in real-world examples. “Take Bill Gates, for example – he’s famously paranoid,” she explains. “I find myself asking: could that actually be an advantage? And if so, where’s the tipping point?”
She is equally passionate about teaching. “I love getting students excited about entrepreneurship and innovation,” she says. She recently ran into a former student who told her that the lecture by Professor Malte Brettel and Carolin Krieweth gave her the confidence to start her own business. “That was really special to hear.” She is committed to continuing her path in academia. What sets her teaching apart?
“I can’t just teach theory,” she says. “I also have a story to tell – the story of founding Regascold.”
RWTH Aachen University as an Innovation Ecosystem
RWTH has played a defining role in Carolin Krieweth’s personal and professional journey. It allows her to be part of an innovation ecosystem – a place where ideas, talent, and support systems connect. “Innovation ecosystems always create opportunities for growth. I’ve benefited from the excellent structures here and have been able to grow myself as well.” Her favorite spot on campus is her office on Kackertstraße – “even though Kackertstraße is definitely not the most beautiful place,” she says with a laugh. During her doctoral studies at RWTH, Carolin Krieweth worked closely with startups and built a valuable network. “Here, I learned how much courage it takes to start a successful business,” she says. Her doctoral advisor, Professor Malte Brettel, was particularly influential: “He fundamentally shaped the way I think about entrepreneurship.” Advising new founders, she explains, is complex. She stresses action over perfection: “Don’t wait too long for the perfect moment. Too many founders spend months polishing their idea in isolation.” That approach is risky, she notes, because it cuts them off from meaningful feedback, real customer perspectives, and the chance to refine an idea step by step. She also emphasizes a second key point:
“When I look at a startup idea, I always ask whether it solves a real problem. If customers don’t actually experience the issue as a problem, they’re unlikely to want the solution.”
And for those who want to start a business but don’t have an idea? Krieweth laughs. “I’m rarely the one who comes up with the idea. I’m the one who gets excited about the idea.” At RWTH, a co-founder matching platform connects technical and business minds. Her lectures are primarily attended by students with engineering backgrounds, “which makes sense, given RWTH’s technical focus,” she explains. “But at the WIN Group (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group) we even support refugee-focused entrepreneurial projects in Aachen, which often involve startups like cafés or kiosks.”
Looking to the Future
At first glance, Carolin Krieweth’s academic path seems unconventional: a distance-learning degree from FernUniversität Hagen, a master’s degree from Maastricht University, and a doctorate from RWTH Aachen University in 2023. For her, it was the right fit: “I was very politically active and wanted to stay geographically flexible,” she says. Choosing a distance-learning program, therefore, was a practical choice. Maastricht, in turn, offered something different: international collaboration, English-language instruction, and a problem-based learning system. “I loved analyzing complex challenges in small teams and developing creative solutions.” Her time as a research assistant at the Department for Education and Research in Maastricht deepened her passion for teaching and shaped her academic identity.
Professorship, research, teaching, startup advising – Carolin Krieweth wears many hats. Her days are full, structured by carefully planned blocks in her calendar. “I have a to-do list every day and organize my time by topic, which helps me keep track of things.” But even so, no two days are alike, with time spent on administrative tasks, faculty council meetings, supervising doctoral students, conferences, and startup consulting. “I usually spend a few hours working on the weekend as well ...”
Krieweth has a clear vision of the future. She hopes to secure a tenure-track appointment, see Regascold expand globally, and, above all, enjoy health and happiness. As for research and teaching, she says, “I want to keep pursuing my research while inspiring young people to become entrepreneurs. I see my role as building bridges between theory and practice, and I want to continue doing just that.”
– Author: Siba Fitzau. The interview was conducted in September 2025.