Founded in 2020
The Heidelberg-Palo Alto club was founded in 2020 by Heidelberg residents interested in bringing the sister city relationship with Palo Alto to life. Our goal is to foster exchange between both cities by establishing and supporting programs in the area of business, youth exchange, culture and education.
Palo-Alto
Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto with its 60.000 inhabitants is often called its secret capital. With the metropolitan areas San Jose and San Francisco to the south and the north, Palo Alto’s charming small town character is contrasted by its world reputation. Global tech giants like Facebook, Apple and Google are in close proximity and many of their executives live there. As its German sister, Palo Alto is home to a world-famous university. Stanford’s beautiful campus is home to Nobel Prize winners and Olympians alike.
Heidelberg
The city on the Neckar river is bordered by the rolling hills of the Odenwald and the Rhine Valley. One fourth of its 160.000 inhabitants are students, making it a young and lively town. Heidelberg is home to a world renowned university and reputable research institutes, such as the Max Planck Institute and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. It’s rich historic background is complemented by a forward-thinking spirit and a modern life-style.
Who we are
Meet The People Behind the club, our Board of Directors.
Stephan Lochner
President
Matthias Blatz
Vice President
Dr. Jeannet-Susann Kiessling
Vice President
Dr. Helena Gesänger
Vice President
Carsten Kaisig
Vice President
Matthias Lautenschläger
Vice President
Our Supporters
Our Members are Involved in the Following Organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I join the club?
Fill out the application form and we will reach out to you. If you have any questions concerning membership, please reach out to info@hd-pa.com.
What is the main goal of the Heidelberg-Palo Alto Cub e.V.?
Is the HDPA a non-profit organization?
Yes. We are registered as a nonprofit organization (gemeinnütziger, eingetragener Verein) and eligible for tax exemption under the German law.
Who founded the Heidelberg Palo Alto Club?
What is the relationship between the city of Heidelberg and HDPA?
The City of Heidelberg formally signed the sister city agreement with Palo Alto in 2017. They are maintaining a high level relationship on the city government level. It is up to the citizens in each of the sister cities to make the agreement come to life. HDPA was founded to do just that.
Who is your partner in Palo Alto?
Heidelberg Palo-Alto Club
The Heidelberg–Palo Alto Club brings together entrepreneurs and innovators from Silicon Valley and Neckar Valley to spark new collaborations and unlock bold opportunities across continents.
Exclusive Exchange
Your Gateway to Exchange