Digital Transformers by Boldheart

Hosted by Kilian Karrasch - Boldheart

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

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About the show

Do you want to understand how to succeed as an entrepreneur in today’s world? Want to build industry-defining products, services, and businesses and become the person who is capable of achieving vast success? Then this podcast is for you. Kilian Karrasch speaks to some of the most accomplished founders who have built some of the most successful companies in their industry. Subscribe now to get brand new episodes weekly from guests like Franck Denglos, the Ex-CEO of Adidas Italy, Jochen Engert, the Co-Founder of the mobility unicorn Flix, or Bernd Preuschoff, the winner of the “CIO of the Decade” Impact Award 2021 & 2022, who transformed Schwan Cosmetics, Uvex, & Co.

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60 recent

14 min

From Yoga Teacher to €150M Market Cap: The Unlikely Founder Mindset Behind Smart Organic’s Rise

Most founders never succeed. So what do the top 10% actually do differently? In this episode, Kilian talks with Yani Dragov, founder of Smart Organic, about the mindset shifts, leadership mistakes, and counterintuitive practices that helped him build a nine-figure organic food business. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast, hosted by founder, investor and podcast host Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear how to grow your businesses, make more money, and leave a legacy, and the many lessons learned by 8, 9 and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Kilian Karrasch’s socials: LinkedIn Yani Dragov’s socials: LinkedIn , Bettr Foods , LoveRaw Timeline: 01:53 How to Continuously Evolve as a Founder 02:32 Key Lessons Learned Building a 150M€ Food Business 03:47 The Importance of Delegation 04:40 The Traits of Successful Founders 06:54 Reinventing the Business Model 07:46 Acquiring Distressed Brands 08:53 The Importance of Branding 10:39 Creating Products that Stand Out 11:38 Starting Over: What Would Yani Do? 12:52 Tactical Advice for Founders

27 min

Championing Embedded Insurance, AI Underwriting, and New Cyber Opportunities - with Robert Dietrich, CEO Europe at Hiscox

Traditional insurance models are limited in growth. In this episode with Robert Dietrich, CEO of Hiscox Europe, we discuss what it takes for embedded insurance and AI-driven models to work and dive into a blended cyber-insurance opportunity worth exploring. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, and how you can build new products and business models around them to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Robert Dietrich is the CEO of Hiscox Europe, a specialist global insurer. Under his former leadership, Hiscox Germany quadrupled its growth and expanded into direct-to-consumer, technology, and cyber insurance. Today, Robert continues the transformative growth at Hiscox Europe, leveraging technology to meet the evolving needs of brokers and clients. Follow Robert's socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (01:13) - Embedded Insurance - and it's key success factors (10:06) – Building flexible, customer-centric tech systems for modern insurance (16:16) – How AI can enhance underwriting processes and reduce costs (24:45) – Exploring AI-based cybersecurity solutions with insurance benefits

25 min

Unlocking New Revenue Streams in Real Estate (with Alfredo Valente, CEO Portugal of iad Group)

Looking to build new revenue streams in real estate? Discover the latest market dynamics and digital business opportunities and understand how you can use them to your advantage - in this episode with iad Group Portugal CEO Alfredo Valente. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, and how you can build new products and business models around them to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Alfredo Valente is the CEO of Portugal at aid Group, one of the leading real estate networks and service providers. With his innovative approach to the real estate market, Alfredo has been pivotal in integrating digital solutions to enhance property accessibility and investment attractiveness in Portugal. His expertise in navigating the complexities of modern real estate markets makes him a sought-after leader in the industry. Follow Alfredo's socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (00:55) - Challenges in the real estate market & how to adapt to them (06:20) - The biggest opportunity in the real estate market along the whole value chain (11:20) - Opportunities for education and advisory services in real estate (18:00) - Rent-to-own models & their potential (18:50) - How to leverage data analytics & AI for market insights

27 min

Unlock the Future: Uberizing Insurance in the 21st Century (with Nicolas Pöltl, CEO of BNP Paribas Cardif in Germany)

The insurance industry is ripe for change. In this engaging episode, Nicolas Pöltl, CEO of BNP Paribas Cardif in Germany, and Kilian Karrasch discuss what the future of insurance looks like and how companies can build it best, and explore one of the biggest untapped business opportunities in the insurance market. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, and how you can build new products and business models around them to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Nicolas Pöltl is the CEO of BNP Paribas Cardif in Germany. BNP Paribas Cardif is one of the leading bancassurance and personal insurance providers worldwide with a presence in 30 countries. Nicolas has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. His mission at BNP Paribas Cardif in Germany is to leverage data, technology, and agile systems to reinvent traditional insurance models for the 21st century. Follow Nicolas' socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (2:03) – Shifting the paradigm: the importance of customer experience in insurance (4:53) – Automating the claims process (7:53) – How to lay the right technical foundation (10:28) – Creating a culture of innovation and teamwork (14:38) – Embedded insurance - and what it takes to succeed (16:11) – Exploring the biggest untapped opportunity: insurance opportunities in the German real estate market (22:13) - The future of AI-driven health insurance

1 hr 4 min

How to Screen 100s of Ideas & Build Multiple Revenue Streams in Record Time - with Francesco Ferreri

Learn the single best way to screen and validate 100s of ideas & launch multiple new revenue streams in just 1 year— without breaking the bank. This episode unveils how corporates can use "Innoventuring" to redefine the way they build new ventures. Plus, we discuss 2 travel ideas you should start now. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, how to build products and business models around them, and how to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Francesco Ferreri is the Director of Innovation at FUNKE ONE, one of Germany's leading media groups, and the former co-founder of two successful startups. Under Francesco's leadership, Funke One has incubated multiple new business models prone to contribute significantly to group profits in the coming years. Follow Francesco's socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (01:59) - The Secret Sauce to Successful Corporate Venture Building (08:24) - How to Set Up a Successful Corporate Venture Structure (10:37) - Creating Deal Flow - and Choosing the Right Approach (16:28) - How to be Scrappy - a Travel Industry Case Study (23:00) - Optimizing Costs in the Innovation Process (27:24) - Opening the Black-Box: Utilizing Consumer Data for 10x Innovation Results (32:07) - The Importance of Accepting Innovation Failures (37:54) - Danger! Disconnect Between Innovators and Business Units (43:08) - Francesco's Pitch for a Conversational AI in Business Travel Planning. (49:56) - Kilian's pitch for Next-Gen Personalization in Travel Travel Idea to Steal: Journey AI - Optimizing Business Travel with AI

42 min

Corporate Startups: How To Scale Stronger With the Best of Two Worlds - with Uwe Frers

Are you maximizing your corporate venture’s potential? Uncover the critical success factors that set corporate ventures apart from traditional startups, learn how to effectively incorporate existing startups to kickstart your venture’s success, and discover how to overcome cultural challenges in the process. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, how to build products and business models around them, and how to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Uwe Frers is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of ADAC’s camping platform PiNCAMP. After successfully building and scaling three travel companies to exit, Uwe started building PiNCAMP as a corporate startup of ADAC SEs into the number one camping vacation marketplace in Europe. Follow Uwe's socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (01:42) - The unique resources, networks, and branding challenges faced by corporate ventures (06:26) - Crucial branding considerations for corporate ventures (07:27) - Key success factors for corporate ventures (10:34) - The importance of agility, customer focus, and scalability in corporate ventures - and how to make the shift (14:02) - Operating approaches for startups in corporate environments (17:16) - How to master strategic prioritization & resource allocation within corporate ventures (20:41) - The role of leadership in bridging corporate and startup cultures. (23:58) - Boosting corporate ventures through integration - and how to overcome its challenges (28:14) - Building high-performance cultures across merged entities

44 min

Accelerating Venture Building Success through Acquisitions - with Hannes Blum

Stuck in the innovation slow lane? Discover how corporate acquisition of startups can turbocharge your growth. Get first-hand advice on navigating the acquisition process, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring startups flourish post-acquisition. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, how to build products and business models around them, and how to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Hannes Blum went from building and scaling the European version of Amazon - JustBooks -, against the backdrop of the DotCom bubble to eventually selling it to Amazon for an estimated 100M+ Euro. These days, he’s a partner at Acton Capital where he invests in SaaS and consumer internet startups. Follow Hannes' socials: LinkedIn Timeline: 02:31 - The founding story of JustBooks 06:32 - Strategies for PR, online marketing, and engaging the first users 08:28 - Lessons on customer-centric product development and continuous iteration 15:08 - The strategy behind JustBooks' successful exits 20:26 - Why it's important to build sustainable business practices for potential acquisitions 24:11 - How to establish value-driven partnerships with potential acquirers 29:04 - How to leverage the acquirer's expertise for mutual growth - while maintaining business autonomy 33:18 - Navigating cultural integration post-integration 38:13 - Core leadership principles for successful growth

38 min

How to Build a 100M Venture in HR Tech - with Frederik Fahning

Curious about launching a successful HR tech B2B venture? Explore disruptive fields in the HR industry, gain insights on navigating regulatory challenges and implementing tech solutions that attract both businesses and top talent through best practices in sales, culture, and customer service. Plus, we discuss a business idea to steal - in the semiconductor industry. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, how to build products and business models around them, and how to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Frederik Fahning is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Zenjob and a member of the Board of Directors at Bitkom. Frederik went from founding Zenjob straight out of university to scaling the company into a young-talent staffing platform that has disrupted the industry and has received more than 100M€ in funding to almost reach unicorn status. Follow Frederik's socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (01:44) - How to Assemble a Winning Team: Lessons on recruiting smarter and more experienced people. (03:30) - Crafting a Dual-Focused Business Model: Balancing B2C and B2B needs effectively. (04:33) - How to approach and convince first customers about a new HR platform. (06:50) - Cultivating Company Culture: Strategies for embedding strong cultural values. (10:48) - Strategies for Scaling Your Business: Expanding from a small user base to larger markets. (13:01) - Quick Deployment HR Solutions: Offering rapid-response services to gain a competitive edge. (15:33) - Building Strong B2B Networks: Leveraging referrals and networking for sales growth. (19:20) - Navigating Regulatory Landscapes: Addressing challenges in the gig economy to identify new opportunities (26:20) - How to Choose Customer Service Tools That Enhance User Experience (35:16) - Business Idea to Steal: Amazon for Semiconductors Business Idea to Steal: Amazon for Semiconductors

39 min

Transform Your Corporate Venture Game: Insider Tips with Christian Lüdtke

Struggling to bridge the gap between corporate innovation and startup agility? Discover the secrets of successful corporate venture building from Christian Lüdtke, a pioneer who transformed the landscape of corporate Germany with the Lean Startup Principle. Learn firsthand about the challenges and triumphs of creating ventures within a corporate structure, the importance of selecting the right team, and how to effectively engage with venture builders. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, how to build products and business models around them, and how to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Christian Lüdtke is co-founder & CEO of the innovation hub BRYCK which empowers startups to build a livable future. Before he co-founded etventure, one of the largest corporate venture builders in Germany that was eventually acquired by EY. He went from building up corporate innovation departments and ventures at Bertelsmann and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - the largest education publisher at the time - to importing the lean startup principle to Germany and helping hundreds of organizations build innovation units and ventures. These days, he helps entrepreneurs develop the skills they need to successfully build their ventures. Follow Christian's socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (10:35) - From corporate to startup mentality: how to make the mindset shift happen (16:32) - The importance of CEO support and the right mindset in corporate venture success (20:23) - When is the right time to pursue corporate venture building? (23:47) - How to overcome C-level objections on new business investments (29:39) - Internal development vs. partnering up (32:09) - The critical role of internal IT departments - and how to engage them in your innovation projects (33:09) - How to build the right founding team (36:26) - Sales strategy and customer engagement: Picking up the phone and the importance of direct communication (39:04) - The significance of investor readiness and how to prepare for fundraising rounds

45 min

Billion-Dollar Venture Building Strategies - with Jordan Schlipf

Facing hurdles in transforming your innovative ideas into successful corporate ventures? Here's the blueprint for crafting ventures responsible for over $5 billion in equity value. Learn the secrets to fine-tuning incentive structures, selecting lucrative new business opportunities, and assembling the dream team for your venture. Welcome to the Digital Transformers Podcast with Kilian Karrasch. On this podcast, you'll hear about the latest next-generation business opportunities, how to build products and business models around them, and how to create more revenue for your business. Plus, you'll learn about the many lessons Kilian and his guests have learned on their path to building and running multi-million euro businesses. About the host: Kilian Karrasch is the founding partner at Boldheart , the leading next-generation product & venture builder. Together with his team, he helps ambitious corporates such as Valora, GEMA, and the International Chamber of Commerce identify, build, and scale successful next-generation digital products and business models. Follow Kilian's socials: LinkedIn About the guest: Jordan Schlipf is the founder and CEO of Rainmaking and Rainmaking Venture Studio. Jordan went from founding several small startups, over launching Startupbootcamp - the world's largest industry-focused startup accelerator network, to building Rainmaking into one of the leading corporate venture builders in the world that has built companies with a total equity valuation of $5B+ to date. Follow Jordan's socials: LinkedIn Timeline: (03:52) - Shift your focus: empowering talented founders for venture success. (07:48) - Why corporates struggle with generating new business ideas - and how to change that (14:07) - The ideal adjacency for new business models (18:01) - The pivotal role of incentives in driving entrepreneurial behavior within ventures (22:48) - The ideal structure of a venture board (29:17) - Why few corporate ventures build successful new businesses. (36:13) - How to balance the investment portfolio and select the right business ventures (39:46) - Entrepreneurial ambitions? A reality check for corporate employees