Dr. Christian "Chris" Fahrenbach

Dr. Christian “Chris” Fahrenbach is the Co-Founder and News Host of Startuprad.io, one of Europe’s leading English-language startup and venture podcasts.
Based in New York City, Chris brings a transatlantic journalist’s perspective to technology, startups, and economic transformation, connecting the dots between European innovation and the global market.

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📰 Media, Journalism & Editorial Expertise

Chris is a freelance journalist at DPA (Deutsche Presse-Agentur), working from its New York City office, where he covers business, technology, and international affairs for Germany’s largest news agency.
His reporting has also appeared in brand eins, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and other leading publications.

As a co-founding member of Krautreporter, one of Germany’s first independent membership-based journalism platforms, Chris has been instrumental in shaping the editorial voice of its acclaimed Morgenpost newsletter. His work focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital policy, combining analytical depth with journalistic storytelling.

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🧑‍🏫 Educator & Thought Leader

Chris is also a teacher, media trainer, and conference speaker on entrepreneurial journalism, narrative strategy, and digital storytelling. He has taught and spoken at Ringier Verlag, the Deutsche Journalistenschule, the Hamburg Media School, re:publica, and at the German House at SXSW.

He holds a doctorate (Dr.) in Reputational Theme and Issue Management from the University of Hohenheim, following studies in journalism and business administration in Germany and the United States.

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🏆 Awards & Fellowships

Chris was the first German Fellow in the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the City University of New York (Newmark J-School) under media scholar Jeff Jarvis.
He received the Grimme Online Award 2019, one of Germany’s most prestigious honors for excellence in digital journalism.

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🎧 Role at Startuprad.io

As Co-Founder and News Host, Chris leads the Startuprad.io News segment, covering the latest startup and venture capital stories from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (the DACH region) — and spotlighting GSA founders abroad. His reporting brings context, credibility, and global relevance to the European innovation narrative.

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Together with co-founder Jörn “Joe” Menninger, he has helped position Startuprad.io among the world’s top startup and business podcasts, with rankings including:

• Top 0.5 % of all podcasts worldwide (ListenNotes)

• Top 20 Entrepreneurship Podcasts (Apple Podcasts, All Countries)

• Top 20 News Podcasts (Goodpods)

• Top 75 Technology Podcasts (Chartable, Global)

• Top 100 Business Podcasts (Apple Podcasts, All Countries)

🌍 Transatlantic Perspective

Dividing his time between New York City and Germany, Chris offers a transatlantic lens on innovation, media, and startups, connecting European tech ecosystems with global investors, founders, and policymakers.

Jörn "Joe" Menninger

⚙️ Strategy Consulting and Innovation Expertise

Jörn “Joe” Menninger is a strategy consultant, startup scout, and podcast host, as well as the Founder and CEO of Startuprad.io, one of Europe’s leading English-language startup and venture podcasts.

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With more than 15 years of experience in management and innovation consulting, Joe advises corporates, private equity, and venture capital funds on growth strategy, innovation management, and tech M&A.
His consulting work focuses on helping executive teams and investors identify new business opportunities, design scalable innovation programs, and assess disruptive technologies and business models across Europe’s startup ecosystems.

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💼 Startup Scouting and Venture Origination

As a startup scout and deal originator, Joe supports PE and VC investors in target identification, due diligence, and venture origination.
Through his network and analytical insight, he connects funds and corporates with high-potential startups and scale-ups in the DACH region and beyond, enabling strategic investments and acquisitions.

He leverages his dual background in strategy consulting and startup ecosystems to bridge the gap between institutional investors and emerging tech ventures, turning early visibility into actionable deal flow.

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🏆 Advisory Roles and Recognition

Joe serves on the Advisory Board of Startup Guide Frankfurt, contributes to ecosystem-building initiatives in the Frankfurt/Rhein-Main region, and is Co-Founder of the Venture Capital Forum Frankfurt/Rhein-Main, a platform fostering collaboration between founders, investors, and innovation leaders.
He also acts as a judge for The Lovie Awards, known as the European Web Oscars, recognizing excellence in digital innovation and media.

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🎧 Role at Startuprad.io

As the Founder and CEO of Startuprad.io, Joe leads one of Europe’s longest-running and most internationally recognized startup and venture media platforms, featuring deep-dive interviews, founder stories, and monthly startup news.

Under his leadership, Startuprad.io has achieved sustained global visibility and ranking success, including:

• Top 0.5 % of all podcasts worldwide (ListenNotes)

• Top 20 Entrepreneurship Podcasts (Apple Podcasts, All Countries)

• Top 20 News Podcasts (Goodpods)

• Top 75 Technology Podcasts (Chartable, Global)

• Top 100 Business Podcasts (Apple Podcasts, All Countries)

The platform has grown into a full media and intelligence ecosystem, connecting global investors, founders, and innovators with the German-speaking startup and venture landscape through podcasts, video interviews, blog content, and its 24/7 online radio stream at Startup.Radio.

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🌍 Global and Strategic Perspective

Joe lives in Frankfurt, Germany, with his family and holds degrees from universities in Germany and the United States.

He combines a consultant’s strategic lens with a founder’s execution mindset, translating insights from boardrooms and ecosystems into actionable stories and opportunities.

Through Startuprad.io and his advisory work, Joe continues to bridge global capital with European innovation — one conversation at a time.