CEO and Co-Founder in the Tech Industry Thanks to MBA

I started working as a software engineer to build algorithms for the Austrian gas transmission system operator during the liberalisation of Austria's natural gas market. When I realised that talking to customers and understanding their requirements is as exciting as programming itself, I started to study project management extra-occupational and moved into more client-focused roles. One of the moves with the most significant impact was becoming a self-employed management consultant for software projects in the energy industry. In essence, you learn to take full responsibility for everything, from sales to delivery. Shortly after completing the MBA, I got the overwhelming offer to become CEO of VisoTech, a rising star that provides software for algorithmic energy trading. I learned a lot about myself and what drives me out of bed in the morning – purpose and entrepreneurial freedom. After 2.5 years internationally scaling the company including a successful exit to Trayport owned by Canadian TMX Group, I co-founded enspired, a technology-driven short-term power trading company.

I never had a precise career plan, maybe because I never worked for a large corporate. I decided to stay in the energy industry and was searching for opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology - no matter what contractual relation or position.

Building a super strong management team at VisoTech and successfully scale the company - this was by far the most significant professional success until now.

My biggest challenge was my son Ben who missed me a lot when I was travelling as a consultant four days per week, and I promised never to do that again. My biggest mistake was to underestimate the cultural differences after an acquisition. For more than 17 years, I have worked for small companies that I thought this way of working is normal, but they work utterly different from large corporates.

The time as a self-employed consultant; the unconditional support of my wife and her relentless efforts to create the perfect environment for our kids; the experience of working with extraordinary colleagues at VisoTech

Take care of the ones you love, find a job with a purpose that you're passionate about, never stop learning.

passionate; optimistic; authentic; caring; talks too much

The MBA provided me with additional credibility for managerial as well as leadership roles, leading to a job as CEO of a software company.

That's simple; I had the full support of my wife.

Having time to travel the world with my family.

I enjoyed watching both seasons of "Dragons: Rescue Riders" with my kids and reading "Machine Learning: An Applied Mathematics Introduction" was an excellent refresher to be able to talk to our data scientists.

With my wife - that would be a reality check.

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