Dietmar Hopp
After high school, he studied communications engineering at the Karlsruhe University of Technology, graduating in 1966 with a degree in engineering. After completing his studies, Hopp joined "IBM Germany", where he initially worked as a software developer in Stuttgart. From 1968 to 1972 he worked as a systems consultant in the company's Mannheim branch. Together with four other IBM colleagues, including Hasso Plattner, Klaus Tschira and Werner Hector, Hopp founded the company "System Analysis and Program Development" in Mannheim in 1972. The small software company was based on the idea of unifying and standardizing the computer programs used by large companies. The business concept proved to be successful in that the company was in the black in its first business year thanks to its first major order from the chemical company ICI.
In 1977, "Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing" (SAP) GmbH was founded. With the software system "R/2", SAP's business software became established in the German-speaking economic area during the 1980s. The SAP systems covered more and more areas of corporate and production management, from financial accounting to production planning and control. This resulted in the company expanding rapidly abroad, where a growing sales and service network was created. In the course of converting the company into an AG and going public, Hopp was appointed CEO of "SAP AG" in 1988. Hopp married Anneliese Hopp, née Zeuner, with whom he had two sons.
In 1992, the development of the "R/3" software package marked the national and international breakthrough of SAP, which in 1994 was already considered the leading manufacturer of standard application software in Germany with 4,000 customer companies. In the following ten years, the company developed into the world market leader for standardized business software: in 1996, more than a million users worldwide used the "R/3" system. In 1997, Hopp was appointed board spokesman together with Hasso Plattner. In 1998, Hopp moved to the SAP supervisory board, where he chaired it until 2003. Henning Kagermann succeeded him on the board. In May 2005, Hopp also resigned from the SAP committee as a simple member of the supervisory board. In October 2005, the company reported a further increase in sales and profits for the third quarter of the year. The world market leader for business software now achieved a 60% share of global sales in this area.
After withdrawing from SAP's day-to-day business, Hopp invested in numerous companies. He also acquired the renowned Bühlerhöhe Castle Hotel near Baden-Baden. He also received great recognition and popularity as a sponsor of sport. He bought the "St. Leon-Rot" golf club, supported the construction of the "SAP Arena" in Mannheim (2002-2005) and supported the promotion of the "Adler Mannheim" (ice hockey) and the "Rhein-Neckar Löwen". " (Handball) one. For many years, Hopp supported his youth club "TSG 1899 Hoffenheim", which made it into the 1st Bundesliga in 2008. In the same year he was named Sports Manager of the Year. In 2009 he received the Laureus Sport Award for charity. In 2010 Hopp was honored with the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Federal Cross of Merit). In 2014 he received the German Donor Prize from the Federal Association of German Foundations.
He was repeatedly accused of violating the 50+1 rule. The patron sometimes intervenes directly in the operational business of the TSG, which is forbidden to investors. In the 2019/20 Bundesliga season, he was personally attacked with posters and banners by fans of the opposing teams in various TSG Hoffenheim matches. Meanwhile, he was honored, among other things, with the honorary award from the Baden-Württemberg State Sports Association in 2016 and in 2019 with the Radio Regenbogen Award in the "Honorary Award" category.
In 1977, "Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing" (SAP) GmbH was founded. With the software system "R/2", SAP's business software became established in the German-speaking economic area during the 1980s. The SAP systems covered more and more areas of corporate and production management, from financial accounting to production planning and control. This resulted in the company expanding rapidly abroad, where a growing sales and service network was created. In the course of converting the company into an AG and going public, Hopp was appointed CEO of "SAP AG" in 1988. Hopp married Anneliese Hopp, née Zeuner, with whom he had two sons.
In 1992, the development of the "R/3" software package marked the national and international breakthrough of SAP, which in 1994 was already considered the leading manufacturer of standard application software in Germany with 4,000 customer companies. In the following ten years, the company developed into the world market leader for standardized business software: in 1996, more than a million users worldwide used the "R/3" system. In 1997, Hopp was appointed board spokesman together with Hasso Plattner. In 1998, Hopp moved to the SAP supervisory board, where he chaired it until 2003. Henning Kagermann succeeded him on the board. In May 2005, Hopp also resigned from the SAP committee as a simple member of the supervisory board. In October 2005, the company reported a further increase in sales and profits for the third quarter of the year. The world market leader for business software now achieved a 60% share of global sales in this area.
After withdrawing from SAP's day-to-day business, Hopp invested in numerous companies. He also acquired the renowned Bühlerhöhe Castle Hotel near Baden-Baden. He also received great recognition and popularity as a sponsor of sport. He bought the "St. Leon-Rot" golf club, supported the construction of the "SAP Arena" in Mannheim (2002-2005) and supported the promotion of the "Adler Mannheim" (ice hockey) and the "Rhein-Neckar Löwen". " (Handball) one. For many years, Hopp supported his youth club "TSG 1899 Hoffenheim", which made it into the 1st Bundesliga in 2008. In the same year he was named Sports Manager of the Year. In 2009 he received the Laureus Sport Award for charity. In 2010 Hopp was honored with the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Federal Cross of Merit). In 2014 he received the German Donor Prize from the Federal Association of German Foundations.
He was repeatedly accused of violating the 50+1 rule. The patron sometimes intervenes directly in the operational business of the TSG, which is forbidden to investors. In the 2019/20 Bundesliga season, he was personally attacked with posters and banners by fans of the opposing teams in various TSG Hoffenheim matches. Meanwhile, he was honored, among other things, with the honorary award from the Baden-Württemberg State Sports Association in 2016 and in 2019 with the Radio Regenbogen Award in the "Honorary Award" category.
