Investments & Corporate Venturing
I work on start-up investments and venture clienting – from first screening and due diligence to board work. What interests me is how young companies and established industry can benefit from each other.
Matthias Schulz
- Strategy & New Business
- Investments & Board Roles
- Digital & AI from a business perspective
I connect business, technology and the ecosystem – in a family-owned industrial group based in Hamburg.
About
For more than 20 years I have been developing new business models – first in online lottery and e-commerce, and since 2018 in materials, plastics and circular economy at the Otto Krahn Group in Hamburg. There I am responsible for New Business & Innovation and work on group strategy, from strategy development to start-up investments. Earlier, I co-founded and managed an IT services company. Executive MBA, London Business School.
Focus areas
AI from a business perspective
To me, AI is a strategy topic, not an IT project. I help turn a long list of use cases into a prioritised roadmap – and anchor the change where the work happens: in the business units.
Strategy & New Business
I favour lean strategy processes and the kind of portfolio thinking that suits a family business. I develop new business models alongside the core business, with an eye on what strengthens it in the long run.
Ecosystem & Network
Good ideas rarely come about in isolation. I am in regular exchange with start-ups, investors and innovation networks, with a focus on Hamburg and northern Germany.
Board roles & engagement
- Board of Directors FibreCoat
- Advisory Board Cross Innovation Hub – Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
- Mentor in start-up and accelerator programmes
Personal
Handball
I play five-a-side, head the handball department at SV Altencelle and am a regular at the scorer’s table.
Contact
The easiest way to reach me is by email or on LinkedIn.