Manuel Finken

Founding and building a B2B SaaS company in the Mobility, IoT, and Telematics sector with a focus on digital platform solutions and integrated hardware and software products for connected vehicle and asset ecosystems.

Conception, development, and market launch of the Trailondo platform, a fully digital 24/7 mobility marketplace for the automated rental and management of vehicles and trailers. The solution combines cloud-based platform technology with IoT hardware, telematics, and digital access systems. Implementation was carried out with distributed virtual development teams in several European countries.

Development and integration of proprietary IoT and telematics solutions for leading European trailer manufacturers. This includes hardware modules, connectivity solutions, platform software, and API-based integrations for connecting vehicles, platforms, and partner ecosystems.

Concurrently, development of digital InsurTech solutions for a German insurance provider, particularly in the areas of data-based services, telematics integration, and digital product models.

In addition to product and technology development, responsibility for corporate strategy, financing, and business model scaling. Overall responsibility for budget and fundraising with a volume of over EUR 10.6 million, as well as leadership and coordination of an international development team with 5 internal and 13 external specialists.

Responsible for building a strategic sales organization and sales pipeline within a newly founded Special Sales team focusing on digital infrastructure and network transformation in the manufacturing, automotive, and service provider industries.

Advising large enterprises on the implementation of modern digital and connectivity architectures, including Managed Campus, Private 5G, SD-WAN/SD-LAN, WiFi infrastructures, and cloud connectivity solutions. Development of customized solution concepts for modernizing global enterprise networks and supporting digital business models.

Responsible for end-to-end management of complex international tender and RFP processes, including solution design, bid strategy, business case development, and presentations to decision-makers at management and C-level.

Clients included BMW, Rolls-Royce, RWE, and AOK, among others.

Additionally responsible for the functional leadership of a project team of three employees in an international matrix organization and for opportunities with a contract volume of up to EUR 45 million (TCV).

Responsible for the development and implementation of the European sales and go-to-market strategy for a connected car software company focusing on digital vehicle platforms and automotive software solutions.

Development and positioning of customized product and platform offerings for automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers, based on current trends in the automotive software industry, particularly in the areas of connected services, cloud platforms, data services, and software-defined vehicles.

Building a strategic sales pipeline for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in Europe and developing market strategies for positioning digital automotive software solutions in international competition.

Close collaboration with product management, engineering teams, and strategic partners to develop scalable software and platform solutions for connected vehicles.

Responsibility for business development and pipeline building with an addressed project and revenue volume of up to EUR 20 million in the automotive software sector.