Hasso Plattner

In 1972 he and four fellow ex-IBM engineers founded SAP, which became the world’s largest enterprise-software company and Germany’s most valuable tech firm. He chaired its supervisory board until 2024.

Born 21 January 1944 in Berlin. In 1972 co-founded SAP with four other former IBM engineers (Dietmar Hopp, Klaus Tschira, Hans-Werner Hector, Claus Wellenreuther). A driving technical and strategic force, he helped build SAP into the world’s largest enterprise-software (ERP) company and Germany’s most valuable technology firm, and chaired its supervisory board for many years, stepping down in 2024. Founded the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam, owns the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, is a major philanthropist, and is among Germany’s wealthiest people.

Notable achievements

• Co-founded SAP in 1972 with four other former IBM engineers.
• Helped build SAP into the world’s largest enterprise-software (ERP) company and Germany’s most valuable tech firm.
• Chaired SAP’s supervisory board for many years, stepping down in 2024.
• Founded the Hasso Plattner Institute for computer science in Potsdam.
• Owner of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and a major philanthropist; among Germany’s wealthiest.

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