Founders

Guido Westerwelle and Ralph Dommermuth founded the Westerwelle Foundation together in 2013 in order to create more opportunities for young people around the world. The values of our founders rest in everything that the foundation does with a focus on the promotion of fostering democracy, market-economy, rule-of-law, and tolerance.

Guido Westerwelle

Dr. Guido Westerwelle

Dr. Westerwelle was born in 1961. He grew up in Bonn. He studied law at university, received a doctorate in law and worked as an attorney. He joined the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in 1980. Guido Westerwelle was Secretary General of the FDP from 1994 to 2001. He was elected Chairman of the FDP from 2001 to 2011. From 1996 to 2013, Guido Westerwelle was a member of the German Bundestag and from 2006 to 2009, President of the FDP parliamentary group and leader of the opposition. From 2009 to 2013 Guido Westerwelle was Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs and from 2009 to 2011, Deputy Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Ralph Dommermuth

In 1988, Ralph Dommermuth founded 1&1 EDV Marketing GmbH. 1&1 was offering marketing services for software and telecommunications services. In 1996, 1&1 started the development of its own internet services. At the same time, it began to invest in young internet start-ups. In 1998, Dommermuth went public with 1&1 and registered as the first internet enterprise at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In February 2000 Dommermuth renamed his enterprise group to United Internet, which marked the end of the realignment process towards the internet sector. Along with 1&1, it includes GMX, WEB.DE, mail.com, Versatel, Fasthosts, Strato, arsys, InternetX, United Domains, affilinet and Sedo.

Westerwelle Foundation - Ralph Dommermuth

Timeline

2025

Arusha New Programme Launch: Wezesha Binti

2025

Tunis New Programme Launches: STRIDE Cohort 2 & Maghroumin.

2025

Mombasa New Programme Launches: ENEA & Umoja Angel Investment Collective.

2024

Mombasa New Programme Launch: DigiTalents.

2024

Opening of Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

2024

First Africa Impact Festival in Berlin.

2024

Arusha New Programme Launches: #YouthIgnite & DigiTalents Cohort 2 in Arusha and Mwanza.

2024

First Slush’D event in Djerba, Tunisia.

2024

Kigali New Programme Launches: iStar & ZEP-RE Pan-African InsurTech Hub.

2024

Tunis Programme Launches: STRIDE & EMD (Entrepreneurship and Management Demystified).

2024

10th Anniversary Celebration in Berlin.

2023

Arusha New Programme Launches: AfroGreen ClimAccelerator Cohort 2 & Imarisha

2023

Kigali New Programme Launches: ZEP-RE InsurTech Hub & SCIP (Smart Cities Innovation Programme)

2023

Tunis New Programme Launches: SHIELD, Impact’HER Cohort 2 & Imp’ACT Up Cohort 2

2022

Tunis New Programme Launches: Impact’HER, Back2Growth & Invest4Growth

2022

Arusha New Programme Launches: DRILL Accelerator, DigiTalents, DigiTrade Tourism & AfroGreen ClimAccelerator

2022

Opening of Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha Powered by Paul Gauselmann

2022

Kigali & Arusha Joint New Programme Launch: East Africa Entrepreneurship Programme

2021

Kigali New Programme Launches: SHEignites Greenpreneur Programme, Ideate Rwanda, AfDB Post Incubation Programme & Tech Meets Farming

2021

Launch of Imp’ACT Up & RiseUp Tunis

2020

Launch of Entrepreneurship Programme Tunis

2019

Opening of Makerspace at Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali powered by Evonik Stiftung

2018

Launch of Entrepreneurship Programm Kigali

2018

Launch of Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali powered by Evonik Stiftung

2016

Launch of Westerwelle Startup Haus Tunis

2016

Launch of Westerwelle Young Founders Programme

2016

✝ Guido Westerwelle passed away

2013

Founded by Guido Westerwelle and Ralph Dommermuth

Board Members

Westerwelle Foundation - Michael Mronz

Michael Mronz
Chairman of the Board

Michael Mronz, born in 1967 in Cologne, is a well-known entrepreneur, sports manager, and executive. He began organizing and promoting events as early as the late 1980s, laying the foundation for his future career in the world of sports and business. In 1997, after earning a degree in business administration, he became Managing Partner of Aachener Reitturnier GmbH, the company responsible for marketing the CHIO Aachen – Germany’s largest sporting event. Since 2023, Mronz has served as a member of the International Olympic Committee. Following the passing of his husband, Guido Westerwelle, he took over as Chair of the Westerwelle Foundation in 2016.

Westerwelle Foundation - Ralph Dommermuth

Ralph Dommermuth
Member of the Board

In 1988, Ralph Dommermuth founded 1&1 EDV Marketing GmbH. 1&1 was offering marketing services for software and telecommunications services. In 1996, 1&1 started the development of its own internet services. At the same time, it began to invest in young internet start-ups. In 1998, Dommermuth went public with 1&1 and registered as the first internet enterprise at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In February 2000 Dommermuth renamed his enterprise group to United Internet, which marked the end of the realignment process towards the internet sector. Along with 1&1, it includes GMX, WEB.DE, mail.com, Versatel, Fasthosts, Strato, arsys, InternetX, United Domains, affilinet and Sedo.

Our Team at Westerwelle Foundation

Nadja Eschmann
Global Finance Manager

Judith is passionate about sustainable development and innovation, with experience across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.

Judith Li
Director of Programmes

Ida believes in creating positive impact by connecting people. Her areas of expertise & passion are branding and startup ecosystems.

Ida Huiskonen
Director of Community and Marketing

Curious by nature and structured by mindset, Paul focuses on designing internal systems that make entrepreneurial support more effective.

Paul Steffens
Office Manager

Oliver is a Cambridge educated venture builder. He believes in building bridges and driving change through entrepreneurship.

Oliver Reisner
Managing Director

Sebastian drives inclusive, sustainable development through social innovation. Background in global project management.

Sebastian Gentry
Head of Programmes

Our Team at WSH Kigali

Sarah holds an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University. With a passion for fostering innovation & entrepreneurship.

Sarah Rukundo
Regional Expansion Lead

Alexandra has a passion for building connections and creating positive experiences online & offline through creative branding management.

Alexandra Gatare
Country Director

Rodney is passionate about supporting new and innovative ideas through financial analysis and management.

Rodney Rugamba
Finance and Operations Manager

Nadege is dedicated to creating lasting impact in her community by developing entrepreneurial initiatives within the ecosystem.

Nadege Umutesi
Programme Coordinator

Simonetta blends digital media and storytelling to amplify voices across East Africa. She’s a curious learner and creative communicator.

Simonetta Niteka
Community and Marketing Coordinator

Our Team at WSH Tunis

Wissal blends marketing, management, and culture to engage in projects that connect communities and celebrate creativity

Wissal Trabelsi
Marketing & Community Coordinator

Alaa's passion for economic development drives him to design impactful programmes through empowering entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

Alaa Aridhi
Country Director

Aladin empowers Tunisian entrepreneurs by coordinating impactful programs to foster innovation and economic growth.

Aladin Ben Brahim
Programme Coordinator

Maha combines her passion for social justice with a background in finance to help reshape systems and reduce economic inequality.

Maha Trabelsi
Finance and Operations Coordinator

Haythem is passionate about tech and entrepreneurship, helping founders turn ideas into impact through strategy and innovation.

Haythem Bchir
Programme Manager

Our Team at WSH Arusha

Gideon has 4+ years’ experience in M&E, project management, data analysis, and impact reporting across diverse development programmes.

Gideon Mlawa
Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator

Isaack is passionate about technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. He works with startup founders in Tanzania to grow their businesses.

Isaack Shayo
Country Director

Rejoice empowers Tanzanian entrepreneurs by creating inclusive programs that support diverse startups, create jobs, and drive growth.

Rejoice Haule
Programme Coordinator

Elinipa believes in community and storytelling. She is passionate about marketing and building spaces that spark personal and shared growth.

Elinipa Mshana
Community and Marketing Manager

With her expertise in Finance. Rehema has a passion to serve her community through entrepreneurship & networking with different people.

Rehema Laizer
Finance & Operations Manager

Emmanuel has experience in programme and grant management, with 10+ years in donor engagement, SME support, and rights-based development.

Emmanuel Waisai
Progamme Manager

Khalid pioneers volunteerism and community action with effective, creative approaches for lasting social change.

Khalid Juma
Finance & Operations Coordinator

Optimist, planner and mobiliser to drive impact through entrepreneurship.

Collins Kimaro
Advisor

Our Team at WSH Mombasa

Passionate about innovation, partnerships & creating opportunities in program management, entrepreneurship & ecosystem building.

Mercy Mukulu
Country Director

Samuel empowers startups by building communities, driving marketing, and forging partnerships with a passion for entrepreneurship.

Samuel Kageni
Community and Marketing Coordinator

Sandra boosts financial governance & operations, empowering entrepreneurs and startups to thrive through strategic growth and support.

Sandra Muchiri
Finance and Operations Manager

Become part of us!

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