Benjamin M. - Interim Executive for Scalable Ventures, Product Strategy & Innovation

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Munich, Germany

Experience

Jul 2025 - Sep 2025

3 months

Strategy Consultant

International Strategy and Innovation Consultancy

Developed and managed a business development strategy for the energy vertical
Systematic lead generation and relationship management with existing clients
Acquiring new projects and budgets
Designing and communicating new consulting services
Conducting market and trend analyses as well as expert interviews
Supporting the preparation of client pitches and marketing activities
Sustainably strengthening the funnel and strategically expanding growth potential

Apr 2025 - Sep 2025

6 months

Strategy Consultant

International Organizational Consulting Firm

Analyzed existing sales and organizational structures
Developed a new sales strategy
Designed a reorganization focused on efficiency
Initiated AI-based process automation measures
Accelerated decision-making and standardized processes
Created a foundation for scalable growth

Feb 2025 - Jun 2025

5 months

Strategy Consultant

VR Startup in the Sports Industry

Evolved the business model for VR-based training and experience products
Conducted market and competitive analyses
Sharpened the value proposition and service offering
Developed an omni-channel marketing strategy focused on website optimization
Scaled marketing efforts and broadened the lead funnel
Achieved higher conversion rates and noticeable revenue growth

Feb 2024 - Dec 2024

11 months

Strategy and Sales Consultant

Mid-sized Environmental Technology Company

Analyzed existing sales processes
Developed a new sales strategy
Conducted workshops with business units on sales vision, customer segmentation and OKRs
Implemented a CRM & PMO system (Monday), including customization
Rolled out process automations
Trained employees
Achieved more efficient processes, greater transparency and stronger cross-team collaboration
Increased revenue by about 25%

Dec 2023 - Apr 2024

5 months

Project Lead

Led a cross-functional team to completely revamp the client app
Added new products and services to the app
Redesigned the information architecture and UX flows
Integrated new brand guidelines and adjusted the UI design and tone
Used an agile approach to speed up development

Jun 2023 - Dec 2024

1 year 7 months

Strategy & Product Consultant

Automotive Group, Financial Services Division

Developed a global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) platform as a SaaS solution
Defined business logic, features, and user flows based on regulatory requirements
Supported roll-outs in international markets
Conducted workshops on product strategy, roadmap, and feature development
Launched the MVP in five pilot markets
Standardized AML processes worldwide, improving service quality and reducing costs

Mar 2023 - Jun 2024

1 year 4 months

Venture Consultant

Innovative AI Startup for Content Protection & Monetization

Defined the strategy and designed the MVP
Conducted target group analysis and sharpened value propositions and features
Developed B2C and B2B models
Created communication strategies
Supported fundraising efforts
Published the MVP, built a B2C user base, and acquired B2B pilot customers

Mar 2023 - Jan 2024

11 months

Project Lead

LichtBlick SE

Developed and launched a flexible energy product (StromWallet)
Led a team of internal and external experts (8–12 members)
Defined the project roadmap and value proposition
Created the marketing strategy including the landing page
Handled prototyping, user tests, and the business case
Launched the first 100% flexible offer in the German market
Integrated it into newly created B2B services

Mar 2023 - Jul 2023

5 months

Project Lead

Kuka Deutschland GmbH

Led a cross-functional team on behalf of the Chief Innovation Officer
Explored new AI-driven business opportunities for robotics hardware and software
Conducted market and trend analyses, industry benchmarking, expert interviews, and trade show visits
Produced a final report with an executive summary and a presentation for the steering committee
Provided the basis for investment decisions

Nov 2022 - Mar 2023

5 months

Head of Product Department (interim)

LichtBlick SE

Co-led the Energy-as-a-Service business unit with the Head of Business Operations
Managed three internal Scrum teams
Oversaw the strategic roadmap and organizational interfaces
Scaled the unit into a standalone company with growing headcount (from 30 to 120)
Built an automated operations infrastructure
Increased annual revenue from five-figure to seven-figure amounts

Jun 2022 - Nov 2023

1 year 6 months

Project and Process Consultant

LichtBlick SE

Set up an in-house lead acquisition process for Energy-as-a-Service
Designed the customer journey
Automated processes and delivered internal service trainings
Wrote user stories for the development teams
Completed implementation in about 3 months, increasing leads, customers, and revenue

Jul 2021 - Jan 2022

7 months

Project Manager, Product Owner & Scrum Master

Niterra EMEA GmbH

Designed and developed the Mobility platform ParkingMatch
Developed business models and marketing strategies
Coordinated the Scrum team
Led research through to MVP launch
Conducted user and pricing tests with over 150 testers
Analyzed live data and launched the MVP

Apr 2021 - Aug 2021

5 months

Project Manager and Innovation Consultant

SWICA Krankenversicherung AG

Led a team of client employees and external experts through discovery and product development phases
Prepared and conducted design research (interviews, observations, immersions)
Transcribed and synthesized findings into opportunity areas
Presented the research results to the steering committee
Supported integration into business processes and new innovation initiatives

Jan 2021 - Apr 2021

4 months

Venture Consultant

Rapid Peaks GmbH

Validated entry into e-sports talent scouting
Conducted design research (interviews, observations, immersions), prototyping, and testing
Developed a business case and performed target group and market analyses
Facilitated product development workshops
Provided informed decision recommendations to the managing director

Jan 2020 - Jun 2020

6 months

Commercial Lead & Product Owner

Wirecard AG

Conceptualized an e-commerce chatbot for SMEs
Defined technical requirements and led the market launch
Conducted user research, created service blueprints, value proposition design, and UX journeys
Developed business model, pricing strategy, and marketing
Coordinated business partners and business development efforts
Achieved successful market entry in the D-A-CH region

Oct 2019 - Dec 2019

3 months

Methods Coach & Trainer

Generali Schweiz AG

Training 20 international employees in agile and user-centered design methods (Design Thinking & Rapid Prototyping)
Developing internal HR products and services
Promoting innovative ideas to increase satisfaction and lower service costs

Mar 2019 - Jul 2019

5 months

Project Manager and Methods Coach

A. P. Moller-Maersk Gruppe

Building an internal acceleration program
Coaching the first cohort (9 teams of 5 people)
Conducting user research, opportunity discovery, business model design and rapid prototyping
Creating multiple business opportunities and training innovation evangelists

Nov 2018 - Jan 2019

3 months

Trainer & Coach

Deutsche Bundesbank

Training about 20 employees in Design Thinking, user-centered design and agile management
Promoting digital transformation in event management
Combining a live theory workshop, asynchronous project work and coaching
Supporting the development of digital products and services

Nov 2018 - Dec 2018

2 months

Innovation Consultant & Methods Coach

Gruner + Jahr Deutschland GmbH

Developing three new service platforms for the Digital Business Unit
Designing business models and USPs
Analyzing target customers and creating personas and user journeys
Establishing Design Thinking and agile methods to improve project success

Sep 2018 - Oct 2018

2 months

Innovation Consultant & Methods Coach

Hilti AG

Training the Data Analytics leadership team in agile and user-centered design methods
Developing internal products and services for controlling and analytics in real business contexts
Generating new ideas and business concepts to present to top management

Dec 2017 - Oct 2018

11 months

Venture Consultant & Head of Product

E.ON SE

Leading an agile team (UI/UX designers, craftsmen, marketing & sales, developers)
Platform concept, user research, and service blueprint
Defining USPs & UX flows, marketing strategy, and campaign management
Conversion funnel management and securing project financing
Successful market launch of the first innovation project carried out internally

Sep 2017 - Sep 2019

2 years 1 month

Methods Coach & Trainer

OSRAM GmbH

Coaching international leaders in the Executive Talent Program
Training in innovation and agile methods (Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Rapid Prototyping)
Preparing for leadership roles and guiding innovative projects
Developing agile and innovative leadership skills

Sep 2017 - Jan 2018

5 months

Innovation Consultant & Foresight Researcher

Haufe-Lexware GmbH & Co. KG

Supporting digitalization strategies for tax firms
Analyzing new business areas and developing new products and business models
Rapid prototyping with external lead users and internal experts
Validating product concepts and supporting the Chief Strategy Officer in investment decisions

Jun 2017 - Sep 2017

4 months

Project Lead

PlanetHome Group GmbH

Redesigning the internal CRM platform for B2C and B2B real estate financing
Business analysis, UX research, and designing user journeys, user flows, and a sitemap
Prototyping & testing and creating a click-through prototype with technical requirements
Presenting the customer journey in a 2-day UX workshop

Oct 2016 - Oct 2019

3 years 1 month

Program Designer & Methods Coach

Medien.Bayern GmbH

Head coach for the Media Entrepreneurship Program (MEP) and Media Entrepreneurship Fellowship (MSF)
Weekly coaching of startups and company founders
Topics: Design Thinking, Lean Startup, business modeling, value proposition design, digital product development, pitch training, financial planning, and team building
Continuous increase in the number of successful startups

Jul 2016 - Sep 2016

3 months

Innovation Consultant & Method Coach

E.ON SE

Developed innovative solutions for an employee onboarding platform and processes
Provided on-the-job training in Design Thinking, User Experience Design, and Rapid Prototyping
Created concepts and requirements to reduce costs and improve user satisfaction

May 2016 - Jun 2016

2 months

Project Manager and Innovation Consultant

E.ON SE

Led an innovation project in the e-mobility sector
Acted as liaison between the project team and internal stakeholders
Coached the team on innovation methods
Developed new business opportunities and secured funding

Apr 2016 - Jul 2016

4 months

Innovation Consultant & Method Coach

OSRAM GmbH

Identified and evaluated new business opportunities in the Smart City division
Provided coaching in Design Thinking, co-creation, and rapid prototyping
Successfully secured funding and advanced new services to market launch

Apr 2016 - Jul 2016

4 months

Innovation Consultant & Method Coach

OSRAM GmbH

Supported the development of new products and services for the lighting market
Applied the Double Diamond process (problem definition, opportunity discovery, idea and concept development)
Used rapid prototyping and user testing to validate new business ideas

Feb 2016 - Apr 2016

3 months

Innovation Consultant and Method Coach

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)

Led the digital transformation of the retail banking service landscape
Managed the innovation process and coached the project team
Developed and presented new business opportunities
Secured financial and personnel support from B2C and B2B areas

Jul 2015 - Dec 2015

6 months

Product Manager

Wirecard AG

Market launch of the smartband product in the value added services area
Definition of product requirements and lead management
Pricing system development for various smartband options
Partner presentations and sales talks
Rollout at a large European music festival

Jul 2015 - Dec 2015

6 months

Product Manager and Strategy Consultant

Wirecard AG

Design of a points-based loyalty platform with business logic, admin and merchant portal, and user journeys
Creation of user stories and epics following Scrum
Training of the business development, account management, and sales teams
Successful launch and revenue growth through new customers and upselling

Jan 2015 - May 2015

5 months

Innovation Consultant & Methods Coach

Syngenta Group

Digitization of R&D processes in seed production
Design research (expert interviews, market research, trend analyses)
Identification of revenue growth opportunities through improved customer communication
Reduction of overall R&D process costs through improved data quality

Summary

I lead complex innovation and venture projects, focusing on scalable products, data-driven validation and growth through clear strategic leadership.

My approach: confronting uncertainties with clarity and analytical depth. Whether as a founder, venture architect or product strategist: I connect strategy with execution.

My work is data-driven, human-centered and entrepreneurial. I help organizations develop and validate strategic innovations and MVPs, scale digital products and build high-performance operating models. This also includes the targeted use of no-code automation and AI to increase speed and efficiency.

With more than 50 projects in 15 industries, I bring deep cross-sector knowledge from corporate and startup environments.

In one engagement, I scaled a venture from five-figure to eight-figure revenues - a growth of 1,000x.

I lead with clarity, trust and a high standard of excellence: for resilient teams and sustainable scaling.

My three principles: Innovate. Transform. Lead.