myBuddy: Connecting People and Cultures

Moving from China to Germany at the age of eight was more than just a new beginning for Weihua Wang—it felt like diving into the deep end. “A new language, an unfamiliar culture—it was a huge challenge for me at first,” she recalls. As the only child of Chinese descent at her school, she was often excluded. “I cried a lot back then. No child should have to go through that,” she says openly.

Looking back, however, she sees those years as formative in a positive way. The experience sharpened her awareness of cultural differences and made her more empathetic. “Today, that’s my greatest asset,” says Wang, who grew up in the Rhine-Neckar region. Early on, she developed an instinct for bridging different perspectives—a skill she now deliberately uses to build connections and break down prejudices.

Networking between lectures

Wang’s ability to bring together different perspectives also influenced her choice of studies. She decided to pursue a degree in business administration at the University of Mannheim—a decision that shaped her path significantly. “The university not only provided me with academic knowledge but also helped me make valuable connections—with motivated classmates, leading consulting firms, and major corporations,” she says. Even after graduating, she remained actively involved on campus, serving on the board of trustees of the Mannheim Forum and the board of ABSOLVENTUM. She also moderated numerous events, including scholarship ceremonies. “Back then, just like today, I’ve felt a strong emotional connection to the university.”

After completing her master’s degree, she joined a prestigious consulting firm—a logical step for an ambitious business graduate like Wang. But she soon realized, “The traditional career path wasn’t what fulfilled me. I wanted to make a bigger impact and create something of my own that truly makes a difference.” Her goal was not to be just another cog in the machine but to set things in motion and drive change herself.

Founding myBuddy

Wang’s first step toward this goal came in 2018, when she served as a youth delegate for the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. As part of this role, she launched a buddy program in cooperation with the Rhein-Neckar district. Even then, her focus was on bringing people from different backgrounds together—an idea that continues to inspire her. “Meeting people face-to-face is key,” she says. “When people step out of their bubbles and truly get to know one another, understanding and trust emerge—the foundation for social cohesion.”

This realization became the cornerstone of a larger vision, which Wang turned into reality in 2021 by founding myBuddy. The start-up’s mission is to connect people and cultures through innovative programs for the younger generation. “From the start, I wanted to develop a solution that would benefit many people, and I knew that a SocialTech approach would be necessary. As a business graduate, the tech aspect was a major challenge for me,” Wang admits. Despite this, she quickly gained supporters, and the project received multiple prestigious awards, including the UN World Summit Award as Young Innovator and the MEXI Start-up Award from the City of Mannheim. Wang herself became the first recipient of the global Cartier Young Leader Award in Dubai.

Creating spaces for connection

One of the highlights of Mannheim’s event calendar in recent years was the myBuddy FESTIVAL, most recently held in 2023. Wang and her team organized it as an impact festival in honor of United Nations Friendship Day. “Last time, attendees danced to Latin American rhythms in front of the Schloss, tasted Peruvian dishes, and decorated an intercultural wish tree together. That’s what I want to create—spaces where we can truly meet each other,” Wang says. The date for the next festival has not yet been set. “There will definitely be another one soon, but right now, we are focusing on our two other flagship programs,” she explains.

Since September 2024, the SocialTech start-up has been advancing its vision through an innovative, event-centered platform: the myBuddy APP. Using the slogan “It doesn’t matter where you’re from—the question is where you’re going tonight,” the app connects people through events such as Adler Mannheim ice hockey games, indoor bouldering, or ceramic painting sessions. To arrange these activities, the team collaborates with a variety of event partners, including cafés and sports clubs.

Bringing people together is also the goal of the myBuddy Advent calendar, which in 2025 will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The calendar encourages both discovery and dialogue through snacks from around the world. “Food and sweets are an incredibly easy way for people to connect. That’s why what seems like a small idea actually has a huge impact,” Wang explains. “Last winter, the calendar sold out quickly across Germany.”

A life dedicated to dialogue

“myBuddy is more than a start-up—it’s a part of me, shaped by my own experiences,” Wang says. The challenges she faced growing up have not only influenced her mission but also sharpened her ambition. “I know what it’s like to be stereotyped. That’s why I want people to experience and recognize that, deep down, we are all the same—and kind at heart.”

Her start-up is just one way she promotes this message. As an event host for organizations such as the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Chinese Consulate, and the Bits & Pretzels HealthTech Conference, she advocates for open dialogue and personal growth. For students and young entrepreneurs, she has a clear message: “Try new things! Everything you learn along the way will help you later.” Her own journey—from working in the restaurant industry to serving as a city councilor in Schwetzingen to being crowned Miss Baden-Württemberg—demonstrates how diverse experiences can open up new perspectives.

Text: Patrick Kullmann / April 2025