Axel Unger Email & Phone Number

Munich, By, De

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

At Mach49, we help Global 1000 companies unlock disruptive growth through Venture Building and Venture Investing. By combining Silicon Valley mindset, experience and expertise with the scale and superpowers of large corporations, we enable companies to create, build, and launch new ventures, driving growth from within.We focus 100% on execution, and building capability rather than dependency for our clients. Our approach equips companies with the tools and skills needed to sustain a continuous pipeline of innovation, whether by leveraging internal resources or managing corporate venture groups.

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

FounderAugust 2023 - Present (11 months)Munich, Bavaria, GermanyAs the founder of HiAxel GmbH, I leverage over 25 years of expertise in design, entrepreneurship and technology. While my primary focus has shifted to my role as VP DACH at Mach49, I remain involved with HiAxel in an advisory and strategic capacity, primarily investing and coaching high-potential ventures.

Europe

Co-FounderJanuary 2024 - Present (6 months)EuropeAt NextVenture.ai, we explore how AI can supercharge design, development, and product innovation for large corporations. Our mission is to help organizations unlock the full potential of AI to drive transformative growth and innovation.

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

In my current role as a mentor at Tum.ai, Germany's largest student initiative focused on artificial intelligence, I leverage my extensive expertise in AI, design, entrepreneurship and innovation to guide and inspire the next generation of AI professionals. Tum.ai collaborates with prominent industry leaders including Google, Microsoft, and Roland Berger, as well as leading AI educational institutions such as Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. This partnership aims to democratize AI knowledge and bridge the gap between students, industry, and academia. My involvement is not just about imparting knowledge but also about coaching young leaders, facilitating real-world connections, and lowering the barriers to AI adoption.

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Led IDEO Germany with full P&L responsibility, achieving significant growth and profitability. Key achievements include:- Building and leading a world-class creative culture and team.- Developing and executing strategic plans, aligning with market trends.- Pioneering new service offerings combining strategy, design, and technology.- Coaching and mentoring senior leaders to drive organizational transformation.// Successfully lead IDEO in Germany as an independent business, achieving high profitability, driving growth, agility and resilience.// Built and led a world-class, creative culture and team of 40+ people, fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence.// Co-created and executed strategy and planning for the German market, aligning organizational goals with market trends, resulting in greater strategic agility and impact.// Pioneered new IDEO service offerings combining strategy, design, tech, and organizational design, transforming clients into customer-obsessed, purpose-led, and innovative organizations.// Continuously evolved and transformed IDEO Germany's capabilities by hiring and integrating new skills such as business design, strategy, data science, and software engineering.

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

// Successfully designed and executed large-scale organizational transformation programs for leading companies such as Zalando, Swisslife, Bayer, and Novartis, driving significant improvements in venturing, customer obsession, innovation, and future-fit capabilities.// Coached and mentored C-suite executives, enhancing their leadership confidence, effectiveness, and organizational impact.// Recruited and developed numerous senior leaders, building a strong talent pipeline and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.// Established a reputation as a thought leader and keynote speaker on innovation, customer centricity, design, and leadership.

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

// Managed and led the European health practice, generating an average of 4 Mio EUR in annual revenue and driving innovation in the healthcare industry.// Established and maintained large client relationships with key clients such as Novartis and Sanofi, delivering successful outcomes and driving growth.// Created and launched numerous successful and innovative products, services, brands, and ventures in the healthcare space.// Delivered keynote speeches and thought leadership on patient-centric design, driving innovation in the healthcare industry.

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

// Co-founded and led design, innovation, and customer experience initiatives, driving growth and impact across all areas of the business.// Successfully conceptualized, developed, launched, and scaled Roomwizard, a pioneering Internet of Things (IoT) product, revolutionizing the industry worldwide.// Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to strategically bring cutting-edge IoT products to market, ensuring customer-centricity and market success.// Built and managed a dynamic pipeline of disruptive and innovative new products and services, consistently driving market differentiation and organic growth.

Milan, Lombardy, Italy

// Spearheaded the ideation, development, and successful launch of groundbreaking new ventures, expanding beyond Whirlpool's core business and driving disruptive innovation.// Collaborated closely with EMEA leadership to ensure seamless alignment with the overarching business strategy, fostering growth and market expansion.

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

// Designed and developed numerous innovative products and services, including industry-defining products.

Coaching Certificate, Coaching Certificate Programme

Bfa, Industrial Design

Education record