My story.
Find a 3 minute read below to understand
where I come from, who I am and where I am heading.
Eastern German Roots.
I was born in the former GDR, the socialistic part of Germany while it was divided until the 1990’s. The wall fell, Germany got reunited and we adapted to the new situation. My parents taught me to be flexible when environments change and to make the best out of it. Probably one of the main reasons why all their three sons became entrepreneurs.
My first 16 years I lived in the architecturally “famous” eastern German Plattenbau
Canoe World Champion.
Canoe Slalom is an Olympic sport on wild water. I trained for more than 10 years before I was leading the world ranking for three years and became World Champion in 2007.
During my sports career I visited different continents and understood foreign mindsets. I learned that hard work leads to good outcomes and that competition is a positive thing - it makes you push harder, go further and find creative solutions.
I became the the first time German Champion at the age of 10…
…and then World Champion twelve years later.
HHL Leipzig
I have taken an active decision to quit sports at the peak of my performance and I went to a private business school, HHL Leipzig. I did my semester abroad at the Booth School of Business in Chicago in the US and with my sportive attitude and disciplined work, I graduated as one of the best-in-class.
HHL Leipzig is Germany’s oldest business school with a strong focus on entrepreneurship
<Math and Tech Nerd/>
A quick sidekick: I visited a school with a mathematical-technical profile and then learned 10-finger typing while being sick at home in 5th grade. I build my first PC from single parts at the age of 12 and later scored best in statistics and economics in university.
Starting in 2005 I was probably one of the first students ever, that worked on this tablet PC completely paperless.
Serial Entrepreneur
I started my first company directly out of business school while still being on exams. It was an eCommerce firm, selling sporting goods. After leading the company for four years with up to 100 employees, I handed the company over to my management. A year later, the company was sold.
In 2015, after a year of research about machine learning and artificial intelligence I started Solvemate, a Software-as-a-Service firm that leverages machine learning to automate customer service via chatbots - I followed my passion for technology and great customer service. We were 40 awesome colleagues from 20+ different nationalities when being acquired by Dixa in 2022.
In 2024 I founded the Culture Code Foundation after the realization on my sabbatical, that I both deeply care about people, I am passionate about work ethics and want to enable everyone to work in an environment where they thrive. So I embarked on a the journey to improve work conditions and create common welfare by fostering positive, value-oriented behavior.
Culture and work ethics first.
At Solvemate we had codified our culture in a 15-page public document, our Culture Deck. It clarifies how we are interacting with each other and acts as our constitution, our base law, that cannot be violated. Years later, I realized how big of a differentiator our culture has been.
Out of Solvemate’s Culture Deck, the idea for the Culture Code Foundation emerged. Here you can find the Culture Code of the Culture Code Foundation.
Finally, I am convinced that culture eats strategy for breakfast and is one of the biggest predictors of success. This, in turn, closes the loop to my entrepreneurial motivation: To create value in the world with technology.
Triple dad.
I deeply enjoy spending time with my kids and my gorgeous wife. We are fortunate to have two boys and a daughter. It is a pleasure to see them grow up and to see how they learn new skills every day.
Hiking with our 3 kids in Austria.
Sport and nature lover.
Our planet is awesome. I do not only enjoy perfect processes and software, but also the beauty of nature in its untouched way.
I still seek sportive adventures and for example have completed the Berlin Marathon, multiple crossings of the Alps by bike including one of the toughest races across the Alps: The transalp challenge.
Mountain biking is one of my favorites.
Scenic views = happiness.
Carbon neutral.
Our world is worth to be preserved. I am a proud member of Leaders For Climate Action and fulfil the Green Pledge. I am offsetting my personal and companies footprint and take active measures to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.