Entrepreneurial passion can be learned Outstanding dissertation in the field of entrepreneurship honoured
Since 2021, the Entrepreneurship Hub of Technische Universität Braunschweig and Ostfalia University, in cooperation with Stöbich GmbH & Co. KG, has been awarding the Stöbich Entrepreneurship Doctoral Prize for outstanding dissertations in the field of entrepreneurship. This year, the award went to Dr. Mirjam Nicole Streeb from the University of Bayreuth for her work on the role of passion in the context of start-ups. The aim of the doctoral prize is to strengthen research in the field of innovative entrepreneurship and to provide new impetus for the transfer of scientific findings into entrepreneurial practice, for example via start-ups. The prize is endowed with 7,500 euros.
From left to right: Alexander Dolipski (spokesperson for the Stöbich Group management), Dr. Mirjam Nicole Streeb (award winner), Prof. Reza Asghari (jury chair, head of the Entrepreneurship Hub, TU Braunschweig), Prof. Arno Kwade (Vice-President for Transfer and Innovation at TU Braunschweig), Prof. Matthias Baum (doctoral supervisor of the award winner, University of Bayreuth). Photo credits: Eric Haase/Entrepreneurship Hub
The role of passion in the context of start-ups
On 23 October 2025, the fifth anniversary of the award, Dr. Mirjam Nicole Streeb from the University of Bayreuth was presented with the Stöbich Entrepreneurship Doctoral Award 2025. In her dissertation, written at the University of Bayreuth, she examined the role of passion in the context of start-ups. Dr Streeb presented her findings at important national and international conferences on entrepreneurship and management. Jury chairman Professor Reza Asghari emphasised:
“Her work impressed with its very high scientific quality, excellent research design and the particular relevance of the topic.”
Practical relevance
The results of her research are highly relevant in practice for the promotion of entrepreneurial activity, including in a university context. Central to this is the insight that passion makes a diverse contribution to the entrepreneurial process and, contrary to previous assumptions, is not an innate trait but one that can be learned and developed.
Dr. Streeb’s research illustrates how educational curricula and continuing education programmes can specifically promote entrepreneurial spirit and a culture of experimentation. It also shows how authentic passion in employer branding strengthens the appeal for entrepreneurial-minded talent. By integrating psychological factors into start-up support and mentoring programmes, as well as through strategies for self-reflection and stress relief – such as coaching or social security – the well-being of founders can be sustainably supported.
Commitment to knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship
The Stöbich Entrepreneurship Promotion Prize 2025. Photo credits: Eric Haase/Entrepreneurship Hub
The award ceremony took place on the evening of 23 October in the Senate Hall of Technische Universität Braunschweig. Representatives of the Stöbich Group, TU Braunschweig and the regional start-up ecosystem praised the commitment to knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship in their speeches.
Alexander Dolipski, spokesperson for the management of the Stöbich Group, emphasised the special significance of the award for the company: Entrepreneurial thinking and action were of central importance to the award’s founder, Dr. Jochen Stöbich. The research of this year’s award winner can be easily applied to the history of the Stöbich Group, as entrepreneurial passion has also been a key factor in its success.
Professor Arno Kwade, Vice-President for Transfer and Innovation at TU Braunschweig, added:
“Dr. Streeb’s work is also directly relevant to us at TU Braunschweig. It shows that we can spark passion in our students and researchers through appropriate programmes and thus support them on their way to starting a business. We will use these findings in the future as part of our start-up support, particularly in the Smart*UP project.”