Markus Stolzenburg

About

Founder and product builder / 0-to-1 operator with 15+ years of shipping in banks (at scale) and solo ventures. Identifies gaps, defines the play, and moves first without waiting for others to define the box. Most recently built two AI-first SaaS products end-to-end as a solo founder (each live in under eight weeks). Previously led digital programmes across 1,200+ employees and €190bn AuM, and acquired 20+ banks for an Open Banking platform after securing €600k board investment without a strategic mandate. Master’s in Cognitive Sciences & Media Studies (GPA 1.2). Relocating from Germany to Portugal in October 2026.

Experience

• Founder & Managing Director · Stolzenburg Ventures UG05-01-2025

  Solo-built two AI-first SaaS products, end-to-end (strategy, UX, full-stack, AI architecture, go-to-market). Portfolio of consulting and advisory engagements for owner-led companies on digital transformation and AI-driven product development. • Careertopia — B2B2C Career Intelligence SaaS for DACH tech recruiting: empty repo to live product with paying pilot partner in 7 weeks. Multi-tenant, GDPR-compliant, EU-hosted AI (Azure OpenAI Sweden Central). Stack: Next.js 14, TypeScript, Supabase, tRPC, Stripe. • MethodStrength — Adaptive AI strength-training app for adults 40+: 8 weeks to live product with freemium, 220+ SEO-indexed pages, bilingual DE/EN, offline-first PWA. 77% AI token reduction via prompt architecture. Stack: Next.js, Claude API, Dexie.js, Supabase, Stripe.

• Head of Digital Solutions & Projects · FOM University of Applied Sciences (BCW Group)07-01-2022 – 07-01-2025

  Led the Digital Solutions business unit (software engineering, product & project management, data solutions) for Germany’s largest private university. • Scaled division 15 → 45 IT professionals in 18 months — secured board approval for 30 additional roles that others had declared “organisationally impossible.” • Initiated and led the AI & process automation program across the group. • Introduced user-centred product and innovation processes across digital platforms for students, faculty and partner organisations.

• Head of Digital Client Experience & Digital Transformation · Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG01-01-2022 – 06-30-2022

  Led digital roadmap across Asset Management, Asset Servicing, Investment Banking, and Private & Corporate Banking at the merged entity (Hauck & Aufhäuser + Bankhaus Lampe). • Digital transformation programme for an organisation of 1,200+ employees; six direct reports. • Client experience optimisation across 15,000+ clients and €190 bn AuM.

• Lead Digital Office · Bankhaus Lampe KG09-01-2019 – 12-31-2021

  Built and led the bank’s Digital Office from scratch; direct reporting line to the executive board; coach and sparring partner to C-suite and senior management on digital strategy. • Shrunk client onboarding process from 3 weeks to 2 days. • Launched a digital marketplace for exclusive real assets — idea to go-live in 90 days; placed €400 m in assets within 12 months. • Ran 18+ rolling projects (3–10 people each) with full budget responsibility. • Developed a scalable product strategy for a client segment with €650 m AuM; validated via continuous client feedback loops. • Introduced agile, user-centred practices (Design Thinking, Scrum, Kanban) across the organisation.

• Product Manager eBanking / Innovation · Bank-Verlag GmbH12-01-2015 – 08-31-2019

  Product management at the largest IT service provider of the German Banking Association (Bundesverband deutscher Banken). • Without strategic mandate, secured €600k board-level investment for an Open Banking platform (PSD2/XS2A) — after my manager and two department heads had declined. Platform went live, broke even in 12 months, acquired 20+ banks and 3 million online customers. • Led redesign of a core online banking platform for 30 banks / 1.5 m customers; customer interactions +50%. • Led corporate startup initiative (mobility platform) — first customers, team build-out, and P&L from zero.

• Multiple roles: Team Lead Electronic Banking; Head of Campaign Management; Freelance Web & Mobile Developer; Research Assistant · Verbands-Sparkasse Wesel (Freelance / University roles listed separately in the resume timeframe)01-01-2005 – 12-31-2015

  • Head of Campaign Management, Verbands-Sparkasse Wesel (2008–2009): built campaign management function for 225 sales reps; set up outbound call centre. • Freelance Web & Mobile Developer (2014–2015): native iOS (Objective-C, Swift) and web projects for agencies and startups. • Team Lead Electronic Banking, Verbands-Sparkasse Wesel (2005–2008): 4 direct reports; merchant acquiring and corporate banking products. • Research Assistant, University of Duisburg-Essen (2012–2014): HCI research on multi-screen interaction concepts (Smartphone / Tablet / SmartTV).

Education

• University of Duisburg-EssenM.Sc., Applied Cognitive Sciences & Media Studies
• University of Duisburg-EssenB.Sc., Applied Cognitive Sciences & Media Studies

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