Gerrit McGowan

Gerrit McGowan is the co-founder and CEO of Kukan AI, a deep-tech startup that builds intelligent digital twins of everyday spaces. A former professional athlete turned serial entrepreneur, Gerrit brings 20 years of experience founding, leading, advising, and investing in impactful ventures across consulting, software, healthcare, education, and corporate venture building.

His academic foundation includes PhD research at WHU exploring the intersection of entrepreneurship, neuroscience, and positive psychology. As a recognized thought leader in the startup ecosystem, Gerrit regularly contributes as a mentor to premier accelerator programs, including Silicon Valley's Alchemist Accelerator, Techstars, Founder Institute, and the WHU Accelerator. And when not building or advising new ventures, Gerrit can be found kayaking and rafting whitewater rivers around the world.

Current

• Founder/CEO, Kukan AI

Former

• Investor, Gestalt Ventures
• Interim CEO, AYUN Health
• Interim CEO, Rainmaking Venture Studio
• Interim MD, WHU Entrepreneurship Center
• Founding MD, WHU Accelerator
• Founding MD of ICELab Innovation
• Founder/President of Effectuate Apps
• Founder/CEO of Kula.com
• Special Advisor at United Nations Development Programme
• Principal at EcoPlan International
• Founder/President of Syntegrity Group

Education

• PhD (ABD) in Entrepreneurship, WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management
• MSc in Planning, University of British Columbia
• BA in Environmental Studies, University of Colorado-Boulder