IT and music may seem like distant fields, but for Ronny, they strike the perfect chord. As a founding member of Lipotype’s IT team, he has been with Lipotype since the early startup days, helping to build the company from the ground up. But his impact doesn’t stop there – he’s also a driving force behind Lipoband, a musical band formed by our talented employees. Their live performances bring energy and excitement to our team events, turning them into unforgettable experiences. Stay tuned to uncover stories from Lipotype’s early days and see how Lipoband embodies teamwork and harmony through music.
The Beginning of Lipoband
Lipoband’s journey began several years ago on the birthday of a colleague. To celebrate her birthday, Ronny rewrote the lyrics of some songs and performed them with a ukulele for her, and everyone loved it!
Ronny began creating personalized songs for other colleagues on their birthdays as well, drawing inspiration from various sources and it soon evolved into a meaningful tradition at team events. One time, for instance, Ronny got inspired by a South African singer Jain’s song about an office worker. He then adapted the lyrics and transformed it into a German song for his colleague at Lipotype.
Before he knew it, Ronny and his colleague Cyrus were forming a musical band, and the Lipoband era officially kicked off with their first performance at a summer party. Today, Lipoband has become an integral part of Lipotype’s culture, with a talented lineup that includes Veronika and Christina as vocalists, Cyrus on base, Grzegorz on guitar, and Kai as the percussionist.
Ronny says:
Music has been my passion as well as a hobby since high school. Lipoband started off as a fun project, but now I take it more seriously since I really like being part of the band, and it’s become Lipotype’s signature touch at our events.
Dr. Ronny Herzog
Head of Software Engineering & IT-Infrastructure
How Live Music Strengthens Lipotype’s Team Spirit
Lipotype’s first performance at the summer party remains the most memorable for Ronny. The first performance was a whirlwind of many emotions: nervousness, a few minor slip-ups, but above all, an overwhelming sense of excitement and joy! Fun fact – a company friend from Berlin even came to Dresden to play drums for Lipotype and Lipoband!
Another standout performance was at the Tisá team event last year, where Ronny could see people genuinely enjoying the music. Ronny wrote a collection of original theme songs about the company and its team members that everyone can sing along to. Seeing people jump on stage and dance to Lipoband’s songs, fully enjoying the live experience, made him think that their music really resonates with them.
Juggling Dual Roles: Leading IT Department and Rocking the Stage
Some might wonder how Ronny balances his work and band commitments. Ronny is a great example showing how it’s possible to achieve both milestones. Not only has he been successfully leading the IT team, but he’s also found success in music, earning an impressive $1.45 last year from his Lipoband tracks on Spotify!
Lipoband practices every Friday for two hours, allowing them to prepare for performances without consuming too much of their time. Having designated practice hours like this helps him maintain a long-term balance between music and IT more effectively. Additionally, setting priorities helps. He makes sure that his responsibilities as the head of Software Engineering & IT-Infrastructure are his top priority.
Want to listen to Lipoband?
We’ve got you covered! Lipoband is on Spotify – Go check it out!
Embarking on a Startup Journey
When faced with the decision to either continue his career in science or pursue a career in the corporate world, Ronny chose to embrace both by being one of the founding members of Lipotype, where he found a way to balance his dual passions. He successfully manages his scientific interests and corporate responsibilities, such as developing the in-house software “LipotypeXplorer2,” while also pursuing his personal passion for music with Lipoband.
What is a LipotypeXplorer2?
LipotypeXplorer2 is Lipotype’s most extensively tested software, ensuring top-quality results through hundreds of in-depth tests.
It powers Lipotype’s lipid identification pipeline and supports batch processing and various scanning methods, making it essential for lipidomics in cell biology and molecular medicine.
Working at a Startup and Being in a Band Have a Lot in Common
Ronny has seen Lipotype grow as a company from the very beginning, and he believes that the important factors driving the growth of both a startup and a band are strikingly similar. The key to Lipoband and Lipotype’s success with steady growth lies in the exceptional people and teamwork that has always been at the heart of the company. Without the brilliance of a great team, neither a band nor a company can truly thrive!
Ronny’s Advice for Someone Considering Joining a Startup
“Be aware that there is a high possibility that you will need to perform unexpected tasks and learn new things.
Also, reflect on your goals and make sure they align with your decision to join the company. For me, one of the reasons I chose to join Lipotype was my desire to contribute to something meaningful in both my career and life.”
