Jan Popien

Jan Popien

APE2026-09-02T12:15:01+02:00

Founder / CEO

As a gifted mathematics student, Jan began his academic career studying cybernetics and electronic engineering at TU Ilmenau. This led him to the Akademie der Wissenschaften, where he worked in the development department of the Zentrum für wissenschaftlichen Gerätebau (Centre of Scientific Equipment Design). Here he joined a team specializing in laser technology and diagnostics, a decision that later led to the foundation of APE. Based on his experience at the Centre, Jan saw an immediate need for more user-friendly systems, and joined with partners Thomas Lindemann and Edlef Büttner to turn that vision into a company, APE. As Jan explains, the German reunification presented unique opportunities, and it was this spirit of possibility that gave them the confidence to start their own company. Jan was CEO of APE from the company's founding in 1992 until December 2014. From January 2015 he withdrew from everyday business operations and, together with the other co-founders, formed a special department concentrating on strategic and technical tasks shaping the company's future. In 2026 he returned to the role, now serving as Co-CEO alongside his son Stefan.

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