Founder Profile
Claus Wellenreuther
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Claus Wellenreuther?
Claus Wellenreuther is a founder of SAP SE, which was founded in 1972 with Dietmar Hopp, Hasso Plattner, Hans-Werner Hector and Klaus Tschira.
- Company founded
- SAP SE
- Founded
- 1972
- Co-founders
- Dietmar Hopp, Hasso Plattner, Hans-Werner Hector and Klaus Tschira
Background
Former IBM engineer with specialized expertise in financial accounting software.
Founding Story
Wellenreuther co-founded SAP in 1972 alongside four colleagues. He specialized in financial accounting software and was instrumental in designing the foundational RF system, the predecessor to SAP R/1, before leaving the company in 1980 due to health reasons.
Claus Wellenreuther was born in 1935 in Mannheim. Education: University of Mannheim.
Wellenreuther was born on March 11, 1935 and died on March 21, 2026.