TIAS School for Business and Society

HTBLA Eisenstadt

Entrepreneur, product strategist and mentor. AI, biometrics, Open Banking, payments, fintech, and blockchain.

TOTM Technologies provides end-to-end identity management and biometrics products, powering Digital Identity and Digital Onboarding solutions. The TOTM group transacts over 250 thousand identities daily, whilst having helped to onboard some 370 million identities in the world's most populous countries such as Indonesia.

Responsibilities include:
- Day-to-day oversight of operational activities of teams (within the TOTM group) of various size in multiple countries and spanning multiple cultures
- Supporting the sales effort in campaigns within identity verification and beyond to clients in government, banking, fintech, insurance, etc
- Building up a worldwide sales network to support the TOTM group's efforts
- Working directly with product development and marketing to bring new products in identity, national ID and beyond to market
- Strategic planning, partnerships and interaction with the TOTM group companies

TOTM Technologies Limited

Vice President Operations

(*acquired by Yinda Infocomm Ltd., now Totm Technologies Ltd.)

An aggregation platform for a single, modular authentication API -- white-labelled, enterprise-grade and supporting multiple vendors for biometric authentication and fraud detection & prevention.

It enables developers to build the future of next-generation payment and authentication solutions, from smart merchant solutions to engaging new customer experiences. All delivered through a single API, with only a few lines of code required to integrate into your application (mobile, web). 

Responsibilities include: 
•	End-to-end product management for a biometric authentication platform (from single pieces of technology to packaging into products, incl. pricing, messaging, etc)
•	Implementation of a sales funnel in banking, fintech and sharing economy (from lead generation, presentation, negotiation to closure)
•	Full oversight of project management (with coordination between multiple activities, technological and commercial)
•	Definition of KPIs, etc for service delivery (as part of SLA) and integration of operations (for technical and legal oversight)
•	P+L responsibility, grants and investor discussions (incl. presentation, negotiation of the term sheet, etc)

Identified positioning of the service on the market and closed a first major client even before the launch of the service. Built-up a strong sales funnel and team to support the core business activities for growth even during #COVID-19.

Progeny

Co-founder & Head of Operations

Creating extraordinary premium metal or 24k gold debit/credit cards, fully customized. 

http://www.lioncreditcard.com/

Responsible for roll out in EMEA region.

Lion Credit Card, Inc.

Head Of Business Development

Private boutique investment company with a focus on Bitcoin & blockchain.

Company funded the first Bitcoin store in the DACH region. Investment into and management of shareholdings in some of the leading Austrian companies active in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology: 

-	Coinfinity (Bitcoin broker), http://www.coinfinity.co/
-	House of Nakamoto (Bitcoin store), http://www.thehouseofnakamoto.com/
-	Kurant (Bitcoin ATMs), https://www.kurant.at/

Responsibilities included: 

•	Support in day-to-day operations of portfolio companies’ business activities
•	Strategy identification and definition of investment focus
•	M&A lead generation, negotiation and follow-through
•	Consolidation of shareholdings in the portfolio

Identified the strategy to turn Kurant into Europe's largest operator for Bitcoin ATMs. Assisted in negotiation, planning and execution to take the company to 200+ ATMs in four countries (Austria, Netherlands, Greece, Spain) and revenues in excess of +€10m (per annum). Brought in a task force to establish growth structures at Coinfinity, leading to the identification of new business opportunities and strong revenues even during COVID-19.

Bit-Trust Investor GmbH

Managing Partner

Next generation listening experience through unlimited control over real-world sound. 

Started out life as an app for iOS that applied filters to your acoustic environment, which was featured by Apple (Best App by Apple in US App Store), tech bloggers and artists (e.g. Pharrell Williams). Reached 150k downloads in 3 weeks, Top 2 at Product Hunt and Top 3 in US Health & Fitness Charts.

Ultimate goal to develop an operating system powering hearables with advanced DSP technology for filtering of the acoustic environment.

Responsibilities included:

•	Leadership of the entire operation
•	Research into all areas of hearables (from signal processing technologies to sourcing of components for HW+SW prototype development)
•	Strategy identification and definition (from overall vision to break-down into milestones, incl. path from software to hardware)
•	Identification of key technologies and partnerships for leveraging on a next-generation hearable
•	Close coordination with chipset / mic / sensor manufacturers, battery suppliers and Bluetooth / wireless technology suppliers
•	Networking with potential investors and business development


Hear App is available at http://hearapp.io

Reality Jockey, Ltd.

Project Leader

The Google for Real Estate. It redefines the search for an apartment or house. 

Rather than purely focusing on hard facts like price, location and size, it takes into account social components like distance to friends, public transport and grocery stores. Combine that with a superior user interface and you have a service that really matters.

Together with the founders of Zoomsquare:

•	Evaluated and redefined the product strategy for the company (away from web browser add-on / plugin towards a full-fledged website with intelligent search capabilities for real estate listings)

zoomsquare.com

Advisor

One of the first companies to utilize artificial intelligence in music production software. 

It culminates in technology for real-time rearrangement of music based on sensors in wearables as well as intelligent music algorithms that assist the user in the music production process. For faster turnarounds, more output and much more creativity.

Leading the team of Re-Compose, and together with them:

•	Refined the overall company strategy, and responsible for definition and implementation of the go-to-market strategy.
•	Implemented lean startup management processes for the efficient management of resources and product development.
•	Management of the company, overseeing all areas of the business (in particular product, marketing, sales, operations and finance).
•	Negotiating large deals for worldwide sales & distribution of our products, strategic partnerships, networking, trade shows and similar.
•	Presenting and representing the company at events and towards investors.

Taking the business from no product to emerging stage and beyond. Received two high-level awards for Liquid Notes, and excellent product reviews within 6 months of launching the product. Enabling the manipulation of inflexible recordings has been named by editors of high-class magazines as one of the major trends in music in 2013.

Re-Compose

Head of Sales and Operations, Marketing and Product

The centre of dream development for young and aspiring top-talents.

This is the place where young people create sustainable solutions in technology, energy, education, social issues, arts and entertainment. We provide mentoring, coaching, space and support services to foster collaborative practices and learning opportunities.

Examples of our top-talents:
•	Twingz - "The Twitter of things", is shaping the way we communicate with devices.
•	Re-Compose is developing a software that radically changes the way we perceive music.
•	Max Schwinghammer escaped the system to go his own way, and recently has been called into Canada's U16 All Star Team (NHL).

... and there are many more.

We are different, the exact opposite of unalterable and unchangeable. We share an ambition: to help people realize their dreams by living our dreams.

Dream Academia

(Founding) Partner

A dedicated platform that automates tasks in the cloud. 

Sharing, syncing, converting, etc. is now really easy, and can be done from anywhere and any device in a really simple manner. We provide an application framework that enables the integration of our automation tool into other apps and applications.

Together with the team of Wappwolf:

•	Developed a product strategy and broke down the vision of Wappwolf into smaller packages
•	Refined the first marketable product and thereupon launched the Wappwolf Automator, which attracted more than 10k users in 72hrs and got coverage amongst all major tech blogs
•	Ran all operations in the US, and was essential in taking this product from a mere 500 users to 85k users in little over 6 months through a smart mix of marketing and PR.
•	Interfaced and networked with all partners, such as Dropbox, Box, Microsoft, Salesforce, and many others.
•	Defined the basics of the product development process and continuous feedback loops.

The Wappwolf Automator was featured in Engadget, TechCrunch, TheNextWeb, LifeHacker, VentureBeat, ReadWriteWeb, TheVerge and others, and has seen a steady growth of users.

Wappwolf

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

An application layer that connects people and devices. 

It enables communication and control between humans and devices, and between devices. 

Together with the team of Twingz:

•	Executed an extensive market research to understand the playing field of and the activities within the Internet of Things / Web of Things.
•	Dismantled the founder's vision into an executable go-to-market strategy with a clear value proposition that is focused primarily around the energy management vertical.
•	Defined and continuously developing the product so as to move closer to a market fit, in the process eliminating "flesh" that doesn't provide value to customers.
•	Talked to industry experts from different verticals for benchmarking and business development.
•	Networking with other players in the field, as well as with venture capitalists and business angels.

[Update]: Led and successfully completed a crowd investing campaign in 2014 that raised EUR 1.5 million.

Twingz

Product Strategist and Advisor

Non-Profit Organisation Management for Independently Organized TED Events - Bringing People Together to Share and Broadcast "Ideas Worth Spreading".

•	Launched first-ever TEDx event in Austria - TEDx Pannonia, hosted on September 11, 2010, with an impressive line-up of speakers and live web TV coverage worldwide.
•	Hosted first-ever TED Women conference in Austria - TEDx Pannonia Women on December 7, 2010, including a live stream from Washington D.C.

TEDx Pannonia

Head of Organisation

Interim Management and Global Strategy- / Management Consulting in various industries with start-ups, SMEs and blue-chip companies.

Examples of engagements:
•	Developed video- and social media strategy with partners and monitored implementation at a wine estate in Austria.
•	Turned around operations, marketing and sales of a food & beverage company in the US.
•	Developed market entry strategy for a start-up in online advertising in Western Africa.

Partner / Owner

Start-Up Management at a Food & Beverage Franchise Group for Exotic Juice Bars in the US and Brasil.

•	Examined marketing activities, developed relaunch strategy and monitored implementation.
•	Restructured operations, set clear milestones and performance targets and oversaw development.
•	Negotiated with suppliers and partners, and advised investors on planning and strategic decisions.

The Amazon Hut

Partner

Non-profit Organisation Management at an Orphanage for Children, Adolescents, and Families in Vulnerable Social Situations in Brasil.

•	Advised on diversification of the organisation, including setting up a language school and offering translation services in order to generate revenues supporting the orphanage's core activities.

Casa do Caminho

Strategic Advisor

Start-Up Management at an Internet Company for Online Advertising in Nigeria and other countries of Western Africa.

•	Executed primary and secondary research concerning Internet and online advertising in Western Africa.
•	Developed marketing plan and negotiated prices with offline media channels.
•	Oversaw implementation of marketing activities and development of web site.

eClemo Ltd.

Partner / Co-Founder

Start-Up Management at an Online Marketplace for Trading / Exchange of Second Hand Contracts - Utilities, Services, Communication, and Insurance - in Europe.

•	Executed primary and secondary research for second hand contracts across Europe.
•	Developed market entry strategy and budget, qualified business case.
•	Negotiated with potential investors and drove investor roadshows / presentations.

Clemendo (Swap your phone contract!)

Co-Founder

Online Retail Management for Street Fashion & Lifestyle Products. Latest Street Fashion and Merchandise. 100% Authentic and Affordable.

•	Advised on market entry strategy and marketing mix / activities for market entry in Austria.

Freshcotton

Pan-European Strategy and Management Consulting in Telecommunications, Internet, Media and Entertainment (TIME).

Examples of engagements:
•	Developed a strategy for a retailer’s entry into mobile phone services business.
•	Restructured the operations organisation for the customer service division of a leading telecom company.
•	Developed a channel strategy for specific customer segments of an MVNO.
•	Identified joint process improvement opportunities for a leading telecom company and several suppliers across multiple product categories.
•	Participated in sales proposition building and marketing activities. Managed client relations and led clients / analysis teams.

Greenwich Consulting

Senior Consultant

Sports Management, Sponsor / Partner Management and Event Management of Large Sports Events.

•	Co-organized first-ever Austrian WAKO Pro World Champion title fight, hosting some 1.000 spectators and 100 VIP-guests.
•	Developed and implemented web strategy, incl. social media, video and email marketing.

Nicole Trimmel

Manager

Start-Up Management at an Independent Regional Airline providing Point-to-Point Domestic Passenger Air Services in Poland, and International Services to Neighbouring Countries.

•	Executed primary and secondary research for route planning and pricing, partnering up with airports and service providers.
•	Negotiated flight services, aircraft operating hours, maintenance and crew schedule with airline partner.
•	Qualified business plan, and developed detailed implementation roadmap.

Roland T.