Jakob Detering

Jakob Detering is a globally recognized impact entrepreneur, renowned for his leadership in fostering social innovation and cross-sector collaboration. As the Managing Director of Impact Hub Vienna, Austria’s premier hub for impact and innovation, Jakob oversees a dynamic team of 60+ professionals, driving business development, strategic initiatives, organizational growth, and external engagement.

With a strong track record, Jakob previously led the international expansion of the Social Impact Award (SIA), building one of the world’s largest communities of young social entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, SIA empowered nearly 10,000 young individuals annually and supported over 1,000 social ventures across 25+ countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Africa. As Chairman of the Board, he continues to shape SIA’s strategic direction and global impact.

Jakob’s journey in social innovation began early on: From 2010 to 2015, he played a key role in building up a highly effective Austrian foundation that funded and advised social businesses in Austria and across Europe. In parallel, he served as the General Manager of Somaro, a social business in Bucharest dedicated to reducing food waste and alleviating poverty in Romania. His experience in both philanthropy and hands-on social business development laid the foundation for his later work in scaling the Social Impact Award.

He holds a Master in Public Policy and a Bachelor in Business, Economics, and Social Sciences, equipping him with a multifaceted approach to driving positive change globally.