Freelancer profile translated to English.
Back to original languageAbout Martin
Entrepreneur and interim executive with a decade of P&L responsibility. I built optilyz from an idea to Europe's leading platform for direct mail automation, leading it as sole CEO through growth, internationalization, and into sustainable profitability.
My foundation is a rare combination: the entrepreneurial vision of a founder, the analytical sharpness from strategy consulting and private equity, and the experience of leading a company internationally, lean, and KPI-driven. I think in terms of P&L and long-term value, while staying close to the product, sales, and people.
As an interim executive and advisor, I support companies where I have learned the most myself: modern B2B sales up to enterprise level, digitalization and AI-driven efficiency, as well as financial processes and controlling. A recommendation is only valuable to me when it has been implemented.
German
Native or bilingual
English
Fluent
Spanish
Basic
Can work on-site
Berlin (up to 50km)
Experience
- optilyz GmbHCo-Founder and Managing DirectorSOFTWARE PUBLISHINGSeptember 2015 - June 2026 (10 years and 9 months)Berlin, GermanyBuilding Europe's leading SaaS platform for direct mail automation, integrated directly into customers' digital marketing automation systems, enabling performance-oriented, highly personalized use.• Scaling from zero to approximately €20 million in revenue, 50 employees (peak), and sustainable profitability, with operations in over 20 countries across Europe, Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.• Sole CEO since 07/21 with up to 8 direct reports after the co-founder's departure; full P&L responsibility across product/IT, operations, sales, and administrative functions.• Introduction of a radically lean, KPI-driven operating model: first full-time finance hire only after exceeding €10 million in revenue; ISO 27001 certification within four years; today, AI-driven operational focus. A complete ERP system was implemented and operated from the second year of business.• Development and management of a partner-oriented go-to-market approach: a formal partner program involving leading (marketing) agencies (Deloitte Digital, valantic, Reply) and over 10 technology integrations (Salesforce, SAP Emarsys, Braze, Bloomreach), continuously generating leads and co-selling revenue.• Taking over direct sales (09/2023) after three unsuccessful VP Sales hires; managing key account sales for mid-sized and large enterprises (OBI, Fressnapf, Philip Morris, Tchibo, HelloFresh); largest clients generating annual revenue in the 6- to 7-figure range.• Fundraising of approximately €5 million in equity (VC) and approximately €2.5 million in debt; transparent reporting to investors regarding performance and profitability expectations until breakeven.
- AUTO1 Group GmbHVP FinanceAUTOMOBILEMay 2015 - October 2015 (5 months)Berlin, GermanyLeading global C2B marketplace for the automotive industry• Building and structuring the global finance and accounting organization across multiple European and US subsidiaries, reporting to the responsible Managing Director (global revenue at the time approx. €1.5 billion).• Initiating a credit facility of €150 million and supporting the Series E financing round; large-scale financial controlling and modeling across a multi-subsidiary group.
- SpaceWays Global Services GmbHCo-Founder and Managing DirectorE-COMMERCEMay 2014 - May 2015 (1 year)Berlin, GermanyA Rocket Internet-backed venture in the self-storage market:• Building and leading a cross-border structure with multiple corporate entities and operating companies in Germany, France, the UK, the USA, Canada, and Australia under Luxembourg holding companies, which grew to 50 employees within a year.• Responsible for Product/IT, Online Marketing, Business Intelligence, Finance, HR, and Fundraising; raising approximately €5 million in equity.
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Education
- Diplom in Business AdministrationWHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management2008Diplom in BWL
- Exchange semester (Master/MBA)Universidad de San Andrés2006Austauschsemester (Master/MBA)