News
Mar 21 2025
BCIS Alumni Story
When 10-year-old Thilo (BCIS Class of 2012) first set foot on the BCIS campus, Beijing felt like an entirely different world. Moving from a small German town to this vibrant metropolis was more than just a change of scenery—it was a transformation in mindset and ambition.
Faced with a new culture and language, BCIS provided him with a welcoming, diverse environment that encouraged growth. He quickly adapted, excelling academically, athletically, and as a student leader. As Student Council President and captain of ACAMIS championship teams in volleyball and soccer, he embodied resilience and teamwork. "BCIS taught me that adapting doesn’t mean compromising—it’s the key to unlocking new worlds," he recalls.
That mindset propelled him beyond BCIS. He pursued a Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London, graduating with First-Class Honors. From there, he joined Lilium Aviation, an innovative startup developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, playing a key role in its industrial strategy and prototype development. Determined to push the aviation industry towards sustainability, he later pursued an MBA and a Master’s in CleanTech at Stanford, deepening his expertise at the intersection of aerospace and clean energy.
Thilo’s fascination with aviation began at BCIS. From engineering projects to flight experiments, he immersed himself in everything aerospace-related. "Chasing passion is far more important than chasing money," he believes. This philosophy has shaped his career, leading him to the most exciting—not the easiest—paths.
At Lilium Aviation, he spearheaded major aerospace projects. At Stanford, he seized every opportunity for hands-on experience, including an internship at a hydrogen-powered aircraft startup. He consistently turned vision into reality, proving that passion can drive groundbreaking innovation.
Beyond academics and work, he also made his dream of flying a reality, earning a private pilot’s license. In a moment that blended engineering precision with sheer romance, he proposed mid-flight over California’s northern coastline—literally taking love to new heights.
In 2024, Thilo graduated from Stanford with dual degrees in MBA and Environmental Science and won the Stanford Impact Founder Fellowship. With this recognition, he launched And Battery Aero, a clean energy startup focused on decarbonizing heavy transport by developing next-generation battery systems for aviation.
Standing at the forefront of this industry transformation, Thilo reflects on his evolving dream: "I once wanted to be a pilot, but I’ve learned that flying isn’t limited to sitting in the cockpit. The sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning."
Inside his lab, he points to a prototype battery with excitement. "This technology is a game changer," he explains. "It could make air taxis and electric aircraft a reality, but it must be lightweight, durable, cost-effective, and safe." His team’s new aviation battery is 50% lighter than current models yet provides longer-lasting power, setting the stage for a zero-emission future in aviation. "Electric power will rewrite the rules of flight," he says with conviction. "A clean blue sky should be the future we aim for."
Looking back, Thilo marvels at how far he has come—from a small-town boy stepping into BCIS, to earning degrees from Imperial College London and Stanford, to pioneering electric aviation and clean energy. BCIS instilled in him the resilience to navigate cross-cultural challenges and the ingenuity to turn gravity into lift.
With the sky still wide open, one thing remains certain: Thilo is still flying, chasing dreams that go far beyond the horizon.
