Jannis Toepfer
About Jannis Toepfer
Jannis Toepfer serves as the Head of Supernal Innovation Ventures, focusing on strategic investments in Urban Air Mobility. He has extensive experience in research and analysis, having worked with notable organizations such as McKinsey & Company and the Environmental Defense Fund.
Work at Supernal
Jannis Toepfer serves as the Head of Supernal Innovation Ventures, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he leads strategic investments in technology and business models aimed at accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market. His work focuses on partnering with innovative companies to explore disruptions in technology and business models within the air mobility sector. Prior to this role, he worked as the Manager of Vehicle & Subsystems Partnerships at Supernal from 2020 to 2022.
Education and Expertise
Jannis Toepfer holds a Master of Science (M.S.) in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which he completed from 2012 to 2014. He also earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in Technology Management from the same university in 2014 to 2015. Additionally, he studied Sustainability and Innovation at Nanyang Technological University in 2012 and completed a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Delft University of Technology from 2009 to 2012.
Professional Background
Jannis Toepfer has a diverse professional background, having worked in various roles across different organizations. He was a Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Company in Munich from 2018 to 2019 and previously held positions as a Research Analyst and Junior Research Analyst at the same firm from 2015 to 2018. He also worked at Hyundai Motor Group as Manager of European Commercial Partnerships in the Urban Air Mobility Division in 2020. His early career included roles at phenox GmbH as a Research Analyst and Marketing Analyst.
Advisory Roles and Mentorship
Since 2021, Jannis Toepfer has been a Climate Corps Alumni Advisory Board Member at the Environmental Defense Fund, contributing his expertise in climate initiatives. He also serves as a Startup Mentor at Starburst Aerospace, where he guides emerging companies in the aerospace sector. His advisory roles reflect his commitment to sustainability and innovation in the mobility industry.
Values and Interests
Jannis Toepfer values teamwork and is driven by principles of passion, integrity, and attention to detail in his professional endeavors. He has a strong interest in mobility and has lived on three continents, which informs his approach to air mobility. His focus on innovative partnerships and technology disruption underscores his commitment to advancing the Urban Air Mobility market.