Dirk Kanngiesser

Dirk Kanngiesser is a seasoned technology CEO, entrepreneur, and investor with over 25 years of experience in building start-ups and investing in Europe and the United States. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Technical University, Dortmund, Germany, and an MBA specializing in marketing and finance from the University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Dirk has a diverse professional background as he has served in numerous roles, including project engineering at Siemens AG, marketing and brand management at Procter & Gamble, and partnership and investment roles at leading venture capital firms such as Baring Private Equity Partners and PolyTechnos Venture-Partners.

Dirk's most significant career achievements include co-founding and serving as the CEO of Cryptowerk Corp.; a Silicon Valley-based start-up offering data integrity solutions using proprietary blockchain technology. He has also served as CEO and co-founder of the German Accelerator program, a government-sponsored accelerator promoting German start-ups' entry into the US market. Dirk's experience in venture capital and investment roles makes him an expert in global technology company building and corporate spin-offs.

Dirk's specialty areas of interest include startups focusing on artificial intelligence, IoT, augmented reality, blockchain, and across the mobility value chain. His accomplishments have earned him numerous board memberships and strategic advisor roles in Germany and the United States.