XING, the Germany-focused social networking site designed for cultivating professional contacts, traces its origins to a 2003 founding by Lars Hinrichs. Born in Hamburg in 1976, this engineer and entrepreneur built a career centered on digital infrastructure, eventually guiding his primary networking venture through an initial public offering before shifting focus toward investment and property development.
Early Career and politik-digital.de
At age 22, Hinrichs launched his first notable venture, politik-digital.de. The platform focused on the intersection of politics and new media. It earned recognition through awards and subsequently transformed into a political consultancy firm with its headquarters established in Berlin.
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The Open Business Club GmbH, later rebranded as XING AG, provided a digital space for professionals, students, and job seekers to manage their networks. Hinrichs directed the company through a successful public offering in December 2006. By the end of his tenure, the firm reported annual sales of 35 million euros and maintained an EBITDA margin of 35 percent. He resigned as CEO on 15 January 2009, moved to the board of directors, and completed the sale of his stake to Hubert Burda Media in November 2009. He concluded his board responsibilities in January 2010.
Investment and Advocacy
In 2010, Hinrichs established HackFwd, a pre-seed investment firm targeting European startups. The model involved providing support for prototypes and demos over a 12-month window. Following an inability to divest from its portfolio of 16 companies, the operation closed in December 2013. Beyond individual firms, Hinrichs participated in policy discussions, holding meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission. He currently serves on the supervisory board of Deutsche Telekom AG and maintains memberships in the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum and the Young Presidents’ Organization.
Recent Projects and Recognition
His recent activities include the Apartimentum, a housing project located in Hamburg-Rotherbaum designed for the needs of expatriates. His professional contributions have been recognized with the German Internet Prize in 2004 and the LeadAward in 2007. In August 2008, the Startups Initiative named him the most important web entrepreneur in Germany.
Fast facts
- Born: 18 December 1976, Hamburg, Germany
- Occupations: Engineer, entrepreneur
- XING IPO Date: December 2006
- Notable Venture: HackFwd
- Supervisory Board Membership: Deutsche Telekom AG
- Major Recognition: German Internet Prize 2004
- Residence: Hamburg, Germany
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of HackFwd?
It was a pre-seed investment company that supported European prototypes and demos for a 12-month duration.
Did Lars Hinrichs sell XING?
He sold his stake in XING to Hubert Burda Media in November 2009.
