About

We are entrepreneurs who speak corporate

We are a team of hands-on entrepreneurs, innovators, growth experts, and passionate venture architects who build the business of tomorrow.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

We believe diversification and building new revenue streams are essential for corporate long-term survival and staying ahead of disruption.

WHAT WE do

To systematically build investable ventures, we foster a team with strong entrepreneurial experience and venture mindset, we develop and refine methodology to best leverage corporate assets.

Leadership Team & Partners

Alexander Streihammer

Co-Founder & Venture Director

Alex’s passion is building innovative products and making them fly. As a serial entrepreneur with proven expertise in e-commerce and conversion optimization, he knows by heart how to validate and invalidate ideas. He creates prototypes within hours, draws the correct conclusions, and builds unique brands that sell. As our Head of Marketing, he has over 15 years of international experience in marketing and branding.

Alexander Streihammer

Co-Founder & Venture Director

Alex’s passion is building innovative products and making them fly. As a serial entrepreneur with proven expertise in e-commerce and conversion optimization, he knows by heart how to validate and invalidate ideas. He creates prototypes within hours, draws the correct conclusions, and builds unique brands that sell. As our Head of Marketing, he has over 15 years of international experience in marketing and branding.

Mario Eibl

Lead Venture Architect

Mario brings 15+ years of engineering and entrepreneurial experience. He founded and scaled an international e-mobility company to seven-figure revenue with a 20-person team and has guided numerous startups as an early team member, consultant, or through M&A in different industries. Passionate about climate-impact ventures, he combines technical expertise with leadership in building teams and organizations to scale innovative products, services, and business models.

Mario Eibl

Lead Venture Architect

Mario brings 15+ years of engineering and entrepreneurial experience. He founded and scaled an international e-mobility company to seven-figure revenue with a 20-person team and has guided numerous startups as an early team member, consultant, or through M&A in different industries. Passionate about climate-impact ventures, he combines technical expertise with leadership in building teams and organizations to scale innovative products, services, and business models.

Stefan Perkmann Berger

Co-Founder & Venture Partner

Stefan has more than 10 years of experience in supporting 150+ established companies in innovating and building new ventures. As one of the Co-Founders of whataventure, Stefan’s hands-on attitude drives him to seek new challenges on a regular basis. His passion is to build new ventures in the digital and non-digital field, and continue to drive our own portfolio of ventures, that already has 100+ employees and received multiple investments.

Stefan Perkmann Berger

Co-Founder & Venture Partner

Stefan has more than 10 years of experience in supporting 150+ established companies in innovating and building new ventures. As one of the Co-Founders of whataventure, Stefan’s hands-on attitude drives him to seek new challenges on a regular basis. His passion is to build new ventures in the digital and non-digital field, and continue to drive our own portfolio of ventures, that already has 100+ employees and received multiple investments.

Karyna Hornostai

Lead Venture Architect & Chief of Staff

Karyna thrives at the intersection of startups and corporates, turning big ideas into real businesses. For the past six years at whataventure, she has helped Europe’s leading companies shape ventures from first concept to MVP and market launch. With roots in startup and AIESEC leadership scene, she’s known for aligning stakeholders, simplifying complexity, and fuelling ventures with entrepreneurial drive, sales flair, and passion for sustainable impact.

Karyna Hornostai

Lead Venture Architect & Chief of Staff

Karyna thrives at the intersection of startups and corporates, turning big ideas into real businesses. For the past six years at whataventure, she has helped Europe’s leading companies shape ventures from first concept to MVP and market launch. With roots in startup and AIESEC leadership scene, she’s known for aligning stakeholders, simplifying complexity, and fuelling ventures with entrepreneurial drive, sales flair, and passion for sustainable impact.

Georg Horn

Venture Director

Georg is an experienced two-time founder and business consultant who knows how to bridge startup and corporate. With his founding experience spanning from e-commerce to SaaS and machine learning, Georg is versed in all venture steps from ideation to market launch or even exit. As a Swiss born, originating from a small village, Georg's urge to explore brought him to study, work and live in many countries all over Europe and beyond. A strong passion for ventures, business models and innovation is what brought Georg to whataventure, where he helps teams and clients in achieving their growth targets.

Georg Horn

Venture Director

Georg is an experienced two-time founder and business consultant who knows how to bridge startup and corporate. With his founding experience spanning from e-commerce to SaaS and machine learning, Georg is versed in all venture steps from ideation to market launch or even exit. As a Swiss born, originating from a small village, Georg's urge to explore brought him to study, work and live in many countries all over Europe and beyond. A strong passion for ventures, business models and innovation is what brought Georg to whataventure, where he helps teams and clients in achieving their growth targets.

Philippe Thiltges

Co-Founder & CEO

Philippe has significantly shaped the innovation landscape in Austria and Germany in the past decade. His strong entrepreneurial mindset have supported the creation and growth of 150+ corporate ventures. Philippe has been involved in projects with more than €100M funding.

Philippe Thiltges

Co-Founder & CEO

Philippe has significantly shaped the innovation landscape in Austria and Germany in the past decade. His strong entrepreneurial mindset have supported the creation and growth of 150+ corporate ventures. Philippe has been involved in projects with more than €100M funding.

Franziska Abare-Korn

Partner

Franziska has long years of hands-on experience in consulting DAX30 / MDAX companies as well as SMEs in her field of expertise, namely: Innovation Strategy, Corporate Innovation, Venture Building and Service Design. She has a strong international project background and a deep understanding of cross-industry requirements. Additionally Franziska has a passion for leading and implementing innovative flagship projects against all odds, never loosing the big strategic picture out of sight.

Franziska Abare-Korn

Partner

Franziska has long years of hands-on experience in consulting DAX30 / MDAX companies as well as SMEs in her field of expertise, namely: Innovation Strategy, Corporate Innovation, Venture Building and Service Design. She has a strong international project background and a deep understanding of cross-industry requirements. Additionally Franziska has a passion for leading and implementing innovative flagship projects against all odds, never loosing the big strategic picture out of sight.

Stefan Peintner

CEO & Managing Partner

With over fifteen years of international experience in strategy and innovation, Stefan advises corporates on setting up effective structures to systematically build new business. He brings an entrepreneurial mindset, a deep understanding of the corporate world, and broad cross-industry expertise - enabling him to effectively drive the validation and launch of new business.

Stefan Peintner

CEO & Managing Partner

With over fifteen years of international experience in strategy and innovation, Stefan advises corporates on setting up effective structures to systematically build new business. He brings an entrepreneurial mindset, a deep understanding of the corporate world, and broad cross-industry expertise - enabling him to effectively drive the validation and launch of new business.

Kristina Müller

Head of People & Culture

Kristina is a strategic People & Culture leader dedicated to building high-performing, people-centered organizations. With a proven track record in scaling company cultures, developing leadership, and aligning people strategies with business goals, she drives transformation across all organizational levels. Drawing on her extensive experience in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments, Kristina fosters a culture of ownership, growth, and collaboration.

Kristina Müller

Head of People & Culture

Kristina is a strategic People & Culture leader dedicated to building high-performing, people-centered organizations. With a proven track record in scaling company cultures, developing leadership, and aligning people strategies with business goals, she drives transformation across all organizational levels. Drawing on her extensive experience in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments, Kristina fosters a culture of ownership, growth, and collaboration.

Team

Petra Barbu

Senior Growth Architect

Petra’s primary role is to set up and execute growth marketing strategies and experiments for our ventures. She is an expert in effectively using the broad marketing spectrum to foster the value ventures create for their customers. What she enjoys the most in marketing is setting up processes for newly established teams and seeing a venture she worked on become a known brand.

Petra Barbu

Senior Growth Architect

Petra’s primary role is to set up and execute growth marketing strategies and experiments for our ventures. She is an expert in effectively using the broad marketing spectrum to foster the value ventures create for their customers. What she enjoys the most in marketing is setting up processes for newly established teams and seeing a venture she worked on become a known brand.

Ipek Hizar

Venture Architect

Ipek’s experience spans both startup ecosystems and corporate innovation. She has previously led a startup incubator, supporting 30+ founders from initial ideation through company formation. Passionate about systematic idea validation in early-stage venture development, she now works with corporates to identify and assess new business ideas. Ipek brings hands-on experience in moderating workshops and panel discussions. Fluent in four languages, she thrives in international, fast-paced environments.

Ipek Hizar

Venture Architect

Ipek’s experience spans both startup ecosystems and corporate innovation. She has previously led a startup incubator, supporting 30+ founders from initial ideation through company formation. Passionate about systematic idea validation in early-stage venture development, she now works with corporates to identify and assess new business ideas. Ipek brings hands-on experience in moderating workshops and panel discussions. Fluent in four languages, she thrives in international, fast-paced environments.

Elisa Schweigkofler

Growth Architect

Elisa makes growth happen – with data-driven go-to-market and scaling strategies. Building on her deep expertise in performance marketing, she has a proven track record in every stage of company building: from validating ideas to launching and scaling high-performing channels. Elisa combines sharp data analysis with real customer insight, ensuring every decision drives both performance and customer satisfaction.

Elisa Schweigkofler

Growth Architect

Elisa makes growth happen – with data-driven go-to-market and scaling strategies. Building on her deep expertise in performance marketing, she has a proven track record in every stage of company building: from validating ideas to launching and scaling high-performing channels. Elisa combines sharp data analysis with real customer insight, ensuring every decision drives both performance and customer satisfaction.

Friedemann Lämmel

Senior Marketing Manager

Friedemann builds brands that stick in people's mind and hearts – and campaigns that truly move the needle. For over ten years, he has helped organizations communicate their message so it resonates. Whether young tech start-up or international corporation – Friedemann develops the right strategy and implements it digitally. At whataventure, he brings together his instinct for strong brands with systematic thinking. The result? Communication that is not only seen, but also felt.

Friedemann Lämmel

Senior Marketing Manager

Friedemann builds brands that stick in people's mind and hearts – and campaigns that truly move the needle. For over ten years, he has helped organizations communicate their message so it resonates. Whether young tech start-up or international corporation – Friedemann develops the right strategy and implements it digitally. At whataventure, he brings together his instinct for strong brands with systematic thinking. The result? Communication that is not only seen, but also felt.

Daniel Senff

Senior Tech Lead

After a Master's degree in International Media & Computer Science, Daniel built digital products as Software Engineer and Product Manager for almost 15 years. He gained a wide range of experience working in early-stage and scaling startups, and enterprise companies. Originally from Germany and he lived in Italy, Luxembourg, and now Austria. Daniel seamlessly blends entrepreneurial ingenuity with Agile methodologies, all while maintaining commitment to a customer-centric approach.

Daniel Senff

Senior Tech Lead

After a Master's degree in International Media & Computer Science, Daniel built digital products as Software Engineer and Product Manager for almost 15 years. He gained a wide range of experience working in early-stage and scaling startups, and enterprise companies. Originally from Germany and he lived in Italy, Luxembourg, and now Austria. Daniel seamlessly blends entrepreneurial ingenuity with Agile methodologies, all while maintaining commitment to a customer-centric approach.

Thomas Schragner

Head of Accounting, Controlling & IT

Thomas brings over a decade of expertise in finance and controlling to whataventure. He oversees core financial processes, leads digital transformation initiatives and drives cross-company planning. With a strong analytical mindset, he ensures smooth, scalable operations. In close collaboration with venture teams and leadership, he shapes clear financial structures and aligns technology strategies with long-term business goals.

Thomas Schragner

Head of Accounting, Controlling & IT

Thomas brings over a decade of expertise in finance and controlling to whataventure. He oversees core financial processes, leads digital transformation initiatives and drives cross-company planning. With a strong analytical mindset, he ensures smooth, scalable operations. In close collaboration with venture teams and leadership, he shapes clear financial structures and aligns technology strategies with long-term business goals.

Timon Polacek

Venture Analyst

Timon brings broad experience in innovation and consulting, guiding market ideas from validation to implementation. Holding a Double MSc in International Management and CEMS MIM, he has worked across industries such as energy, insurance, and mobility. His career spans supporting the launch of an accelerator in Northern Europe, validating and developing new business models at a venture builder in Germany, and now driving new business at whataventure.

Timon Polacek

Venture Analyst

Timon brings broad experience in innovation and consulting, guiding market ideas from validation to implementation. Holding a Double MSc in International Management and CEMS MIM, he has worked across industries such as energy, insurance, and mobility. His career spans supporting the launch of an accelerator in Northern Europe, validating and developing new business models at a venture builder in Germany, and now driving new business at whataventure.

Rebecca Van Pamel

Venture Architect

Rebecca brings extensive experience working at the intersection between startups and corporates. Having spent years driving the international scaling of tech startups and scaleups in the telecom industry and beyond, she has powered the large-scale innovation of corporate partners through venture clienting. Rebecca aims to multiply success in the DACH market through hands-on support of high-potential ventures, leveraging her relentless can-do spirit for collaboration.

Rebecca Van Pamel

Venture Architect

Rebecca brings extensive experience working at the intersection between startups and corporates. Having spent years driving the international scaling of tech startups and scaleups in the telecom industry and beyond, she has powered the large-scale innovation of corporate partners through venture clienting. Rebecca aims to multiply success in the DACH market through hands-on support of high-potential ventures, leveraging her relentless can-do spirit for collaboration.

Emil Bono

Venture Analyst

Emil's interest in corporate venturing already began during his Bachelor's studies, when he conducted research on the topic among Austria's Hidden Champions. Coupled with his professional experience in both corporate banking and digital transformation consulting, he has developed a deeper understanding of the financial and strategic aspects of growing businesses. He likes to challenge the status quo, always aiming at turning bold ideas into profitable business opportunities.

Emil Bono

Venture Analyst

Emil's interest in corporate venturing already began during his Bachelor's studies, when he conducted research on the topic among Austria's Hidden Champions. Coupled with his professional experience in both corporate banking and digital transformation consulting, he has developed a deeper understanding of the financial and strategic aspects of growing businesses. He likes to challenge the status quo, always aiming at turning bold ideas into profitable business opportunities.

Alexander Petschar

Senior Venture Architect

Alexander is a former co-founder of a digital health startup with years of experience as a management consultant with a focus on financial planning and head of innovation in a corporate group. A strong analytical mind and passion for exploring new topics allow him to structure projects and problems alike to help our clients achieve results, especially in the fuzzy environment of the early innovation phase.

Alexander Petschar

Senior Venture Architect

Alexander is a former co-founder of a digital health startup with years of experience as a management consultant with a focus on financial planning and head of innovation in a corporate group. A strong analytical mind and passion for exploring new topics allow him to structure projects and problems alike to help our clients achieve results, especially in the fuzzy environment of the early innovation phase.

Federica Succio

Senior Venture Architect

Federica has 5+ years of experience in identifying, assessing, and validating business ideas. Passionate about intrapreneurship and hands-on coaching, she has led various corporate programs, including one with 30+ teams and 10+ ventures in implementation. As a team member pushing business development, she contributed to a startup successful Series A investment round. Federica bridges entrepreneurial spirit with expertise in corporate innovation.

Federica Succio

Senior Venture Architect

Federica has 5+ years of experience in identifying, assessing, and validating business ideas. Passionate about intrapreneurship and hands-on coaching, she has led various corporate programs, including one with 30+ teams and 10+ ventures in implementation. As a team member pushing business development, she contributed to a startup successful Series A investment round. Federica bridges entrepreneurial spirit with expertise in corporate innovation.

Andreas Müller

Venture Architect

Andreas brings hands-on experience in validating business models. He helps corporate ventures explore customer needs, test value propositions, and bring ideas to market with a structured yet creative approach. With a foundation in marketing and communications, he adds an edge in content-driven storytelling—enabling ventures to validate and communicate their value with clarity and impact.

Andreas Müller

Venture Architect

Andreas brings hands-on experience in validating business models. He helps corporate ventures explore customer needs, test value propositions, and bring ideas to market with a structured yet creative approach. With a foundation in marketing and communications, he adds an edge in content-driven storytelling—enabling ventures to validate and communicate their value with clarity and impact.

Alexander Waldner

Venture Analyst

After eight years in luxury hospitality management across seven countries, Alex discovered a passion for business model design and innovation. Holding a double MSc in Innovation & Entrepreneurship and CEMS MIM, he transitioned into startups as a Founder’s Associate and Chief of Staff, focusing on pre-launch product management at two early-stage ventures. Alex blends creativity, analytical thinking, and a people-first, service-driven approach and thrives in collaborative settings.

Alexander Waldner

Venture Analyst

After eight years in luxury hospitality management across seven countries, Alex discovered a passion for business model design and innovation. Holding a double MSc in Innovation & Entrepreneurship and CEMS MIM, he transitioned into startups as a Founder’s Associate and Chief of Staff, focusing on pre-launch product management at two early-stage ventures. Alex blends creativity, analytical thinking, and a people-first, service-driven approach and thrives in collaborative settings.

Hannah Ortner

Venture Analyst

Hannah combines a background in Management and Entrepreneurship with experience in Marketing, Corporate Venture Capital, and Project Management. Eager to continuously broaden her expertise, she has developed a strong passion for the innovation, startup, and venture capital field. Her analytical skills and structured approach allowed her to thrive in building the CVC arm of a major corporate, gaining hands-on experience and driving impactful investments.

Hannah Ortner

Venture Analyst

Hannah combines a background in Management and Entrepreneurship with experience in Marketing, Corporate Venture Capital, and Project Management. Eager to continuously broaden her expertise, she has developed a strong passion for the innovation, startup, and venture capital field. Her analytical skills and structured approach allowed her to thrive in building the CVC arm of a major corporate, gaining hands-on experience and driving impactful investments.

Lukas Grömer

Venture Architect

Lukas' professional passion can be found at the intersection of innovation, digital technologies and new ways of working. He thrives in dynamic teams which are ready to improve every day, bit by bit. With a background in digital transformation, innovation and agile he is well-equipped to apply modern approaches, making our partner's endeavours successful. At the same time, several years at a corporate taught him the needs, challenges and dynamics of larger organizations first-hand - ready to apply it.

Lukas Grömer

Venture Architect

Lukas' professional passion can be found at the intersection of innovation, digital technologies and new ways of working. He thrives in dynamic teams which are ready to improve every day, bit by bit. With a background in digital transformation, innovation and agile he is well-equipped to apply modern approaches, making our partner's endeavours successful. At the same time, several years at a corporate taught him the needs, challenges and dynamics of larger organizations first-hand - ready to apply it.

Caroline Wenninger

Venture Architect

Caroline brings a background in project management to her work in corporate innovation, with hands-on experience in process optimization, intrapreneurship programs, coaching, and validation experiments, particularly in the energy sector. She is passionate about empowering teams to challenge the status quo and successfully drive impactful change within corporate environments.

Caroline Wenninger

Venture Architect

Caroline brings a background in project management to her work in corporate innovation, with hands-on experience in process optimization, intrapreneurship programs, coaching, and validation experiments, particularly in the energy sector. She is passionate about empowering teams to challenge the status quo and successfully drive impactful change within corporate environments.

Gunther Winkler

Venture Architect

Gunther unites his hands-on mentality with an entrepreneurial and creative mindset and a strong analytical foundation. He excels at diving deeply into complex, unfamiliar topics to quickly find workable solutions, ranging from validating new ideas to operationally building and scaling ventures. Gunther brings previous experience with startups, consulting, and non-profit organizations, and an MBA and MSc as his academic background in business.

Gunther Winkler

Venture Architect

Gunther unites his hands-on mentality with an entrepreneurial and creative mindset and a strong analytical foundation. He excels at diving deeply into complex, unfamiliar topics to quickly find workable solutions, ranging from validating new ideas to operationally building and scaling ventures. Gunther brings previous experience with startups, consulting, and non-profit organizations, and an MBA and MSc as his academic background in business.

We are hiring!

Are you passionate about building ventures, new business models and leaving your mark on the industry? At whataventure you will find a likeminded team of highly motivated creators, problem solvers, and strategists with entrepreneurial spirit.