Richard (Dr.) Hagl
Interim Manager AI Strategy and Business Development
Experience
Interim Manager AI Strategy and Business Development
Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH
Guided the AI startup MachOptima during its spin-off phase in industrial process optimization
Strategically built business development and acquired first pilot customers
Evaluated and refined the service offering for industrial clients
Developed and implemented an acquisition strategy for pilot projects
Managed key accounts and supported customer meetings
Shaped the strategic roadmap
Established sales processes and CRM structures
Secured placements with initial pilot customers
Built a structured sales architecture and supported multiple client projects
Achieved clearer market positioning through a sharpened value proposition
Strengthened the founder team's internal strategy and sales understanding sustainably
Product Owner Industrial Metaverse and Digital Twins
Mercedes-Benz AG
Advanced the IT ecosystem for the industrial metaverse
Provided strategic advice to R&D, IT, and market operations on metaverse technologies
Facilitated and aligned multiple teams to improve cross-functional collaboration
Evaluated metaverse technologies and digital twins
Developed strategic recommendations and pragmatic solutions for the corporate environment
Supported complex contract negotiations from technical, financial, and legal perspectives
Conducted workshops for strategic realignment and goal prioritization
Negotiations led to savings in the double-digit million range
Laid the foundation for the company's current industrial metaverse roadmap
Identified synergies and optimization opportunities by analyzing over 20 global stakeholders
Significantly improved cross-functional collaboration
Achieved sustainable changes in strategy and implementation through expertise and persuasion
Interim CTO
Felix Forward GmbH
Took over technical leadership to restore project progress in software development
Ensured the completion and launch of the platform
Restructured IT infrastructure and development processes
Reformed IT governance and realigned the development strategy
Optimized software development processes and replaced the development team
Stabilized the IT infrastructure for sustainable operations
Delivered the platform on time and successfully rolled it out
Increased efficiency and improved quality through IT governance restructuring
Created a technically stable and future-proof platform meeting industry standards
Industrial Metaverse Strategy Inhouse Consultant
Bruker Switzerland AG
Evaluated and introduced AR technologies (e.g., Microsoft HoloLens) to optimize internal processes
Provided strategic advice to top management on technology use, IT integration, and investment decisions
Conducted in-depth technology evaluations and selected suitable hardware and software
Performed cost analysis and risk assessment
Developed an IT integration concept and strategic recommendations
Identified new business models and established a continuous innovation process
Reduced investment risks and accelerated technology adoption
Opened additional revenue streams through new digital business models
Successfully anchored the strategic innovation process within the company
Head of Product & Business Model Innovation
ImmoPresenter 3D GmbH
Developed an innovative PropTech product using virtual reality and artificial intelligence to automate real estate sales
Designed a new business model
Led product development and software strategy
Researched business model innovation incorporating theoretical approaches
Managed product innovation and evaluated market opportunities
Validated and documented results academically
Published findings to demonstrate the potential of VR and AI in the real estate market
Managing Director
BMI Expert GmbH
- Managing innovative digital projects as an (interim) manager
- Evaluating, implementing, and rolling out new digital technologies
- Developing innovative business models for companies and startups
- Supporting founders (startup coaching)
- Carrying out software development projects from concept to implementation, including on a fixed-price basis
- Prototyping and feasibility studies
- Strategic technology consulting, IT integration, cost, and risk analysis
- Recommendations for top management
- Establishing continuous innovation processes
Detailed references, project examples, and specific results are available on request.
Team Leader, Project Manager, Engineer
AGFA-Gevaert AG / AgfaPhoto GmbH
Development and quality assurance of digital imaging systems and server-based order processing solutions
Project management for hardware-based payment solutions
Leading a team of test engineers to ensure the quality of server clusters
Driving innovative software initiatives
Successful implementation and quality assurance of high-availability solutions in digital imaging
Increased efficiency through optimized test processes and improved project management
Successful execution of innovation projects under tight deadlines
Summary
- Innovation expert and technology strategist. Over 20 years of experience evaluating, implementing, and introducing new digital technologies.
- Focus on digital future technologies. Identify, analyze, and evaluate new innovations in a technology-agnostic way. Offer deep expertise in AI, AR, VR, industrial metaverse, 3D printing, and business model innovation.
- Mediator between technology and business. Translate digital innovations into strategic goals and actionable business models. Support overcoming organizational and structural barriers and developing flexible strategies.
- Leadership and management of innovation projects. Experience leading in-house teams and coordinating external partners. Lead through motivation, clear goals, and decisive action.
- Responsible for investment decisions. Prevent bad investments and create competitive advantages through evidence-based analysis and strategic foresight—especially in uncertain, dynamic environments. Bring leadership experience from consulting, corporate, and entrepreneurial roles—with clear decision-making and implementation skills.
I measurably increase the success rate of digital innovation initiatives, reduce investment risks, and accelerate the adoption of new technologies. I combine technological depth with strategic foresight and strong execution. I lead teams through change, secure decisions under uncertainty, and translate complex technologies into tangible business results. My goal: achieve sustainable impact—technologically, economically, and organizationally.
Successful innovation requires courageous but methodically guided experimentation.
Languages
Education
Waterford Institute of Technology
Doctor of Business Administration · Business Administration · Waterford, Ireland
Munich University of Applied Sciences
Master of Science in Systems Engineering · Systems Engineering · Munich, Germany
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, focus on Computer Engineering; second major: Computer Science · Electrical Engineering, focus on Computer Engineering and Computer Science · Madison, United States
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