The founder of the Schwarz Group hardly ever appears in public. His foundation has nevertheless turned Heilbronn into a place for education and artificial intelligence.
Generosity: Nothing wins people over more than a leader’s generosity.
3 min read4 sectionsSituationLink to the law
Contents
In June 2026, the Dieter Schwarz Foundation received, by its own account, the Leibniz Medal for its contribution to education and research. Dieter Schwarz built up the retail chains Lidl and Kaufland and established the foundation in November 1999. Since its founding, it has, by its own account, supported more than 1,700 projects and initiatives. Its motto is “Gemeinsam Zukunft wagen” – daring the future together. It is a good place to observe the Law of Addition: leadership shows in what others gain through it.
A golden plus sign at the centre, surrounded by rings of dots that grow larger towards it – like the added value Dieter Schwarz’s foundation concentrates in one place.
01
A campus instead of scattered donations
Situation
In October 2011, the Bildungscampus, an education campus funded by the foundation, opened in Heilbronn. Several universities and educational institutions now work there side by side. In May 2025, a further expansion phase began.
Link to the law
Added value rarely comes from many small gifts that are spread thin. It comes when a leader concentrates resources in one place and stays with it for years. Those who want to add value first ask: where will my contribution have the longest effect?
02
Bringing knowledge to the region
Situation
In February 2018, the Technical University of Munich and the foundation signed an agreement. Teaching at the TUM Campus Heilbronn began in the winter semester 2018/19. Initially, 20 endowed professorships were planned; by now, 32 professorships are cited for Heilbronn.
Link to the law
Those who want to add value to others do not have to be able to do everything themselves. The foundation brought in a university that has mastered the subject and gave it the means. Good leadership recognises who can do it better and makes their work possible.
03
Access without barriers
Situation
In June 2021, the programming school 42 opened in Heilbronn, the first German location of this model. It charges no tuition fees and works without traditional teachers. The participants learn from one another. The school is funded by the foundation.
Link to generosity
Generosity is not measured by the sum alone. It shows in who finds a door open that used to be closed. Leaders can check in their own area which barrier they can lower for others.
04
Betting on the next topic
Situation
On 27 July 2021, Heilbronn was awarded the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The city had applied together with the foundation. The state provided up to 50 million euros. On 21 October 2025, the ground-breaking ceremony followed for the IPAI Campus on around 30 hectares.
Link to the law
Adding value to others requires looking ahead. By its own account, IPAI is to offer working space for more than 5,000 people and has over 100 members and partners. Those who lead invest in what others will need tomorrow, not only in what is in demand today.
Key takeaways
Key lessons
01
Measure your leadership by what others achieve through you.
02
Concentrate your energy in one place instead of scattering it.
03
Bring in partners who can do it better, and equip them well.
04
Lower a barrier that keeps others from learning.
05
Let the work speak for itself, not your name.
Summary
The Dieter Schwarz Foundation shows how added value grows out of constancy. It has supported education since 1999, and since 2011 on a shared campus. With TUM, 42 Heilbronn and IPAI, partners and topics arrived that the region had lacked before. The founder himself stays in the background; what is visible are the institutions.
