Our Team
Switzerland

Prof. Dr. Oliver Gassmann
Co-Founder
Oliver Gassmann is professor of Technology and Innovation Management at the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland, and managing director of the Institute of Technology Management. He has published 13 books and more than 250 highly cited articles in leading journals. Moreover, he serves on international boards in industry, engineering and consulting. He has coached several Fortune 500 companies in the area of innovation and inspired thousands of executives as a keynote speaker. His research focuses on the core question of how to lead innovation for competitive advantage.

Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger
Co-Founder and Chairwoman
Karolin Frankenberger is assistant professor for Strategic Management at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland. She is former head of the BMI Lab at the Institute of Technology Management, University of St.Gallen, Switzerland, and led the research project that became the foundation of the Business Model Navigator. She worked for several years as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. She received her PhD in 2004 from the Institute of Management, University of St.Gallen, Switzerland, and was a visiting researcher at Harvard Business School and the School of Business at the University of Connecticut. Her research focuses on Business Models, Strategic Renewal, and Networks.

Felix Hofmann
CEO BMI Lab AG
In 2008, Felix co-founded PaperC GmbH, a platform for academic eBooks, serving as its managing director for four years. The breakthrough business model Felix and his founding partners established was recognized with the AKEP Award, and the company was named Germany’s Startup of The Year in 2009. He earned his M.A. in Business Innovation at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and got his Diploma from the Berlin School of Economics and Law. Felix is a true business model enthusiast.

Katharina Erdmann
Innovation Consultant BMI Lab AG
In close cooperation with the Institute, Katharina helps companies sustainably establish a culture of innovation and creativity to explore new business models outside their comfort zone. Katharina obtained her MSc. in Strategic Management with a specialization in strategic change strategies at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam and the University of St. Gallen, and her Bsc. from Maastricht University School of Business and Economics. She enjoys challenging existing logics and is always looking for new possibilities and approaches. Her mind runs at 100 ideas/second.

Peter Brugger
Innovation Consultant BMI Lab AG
Peter earned his master’s in International Management with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the ESADE Business School, Barcelona, and the University of St. Gallen (in combination with CEMS). As co-founder of Altaselva GmbH, an import/export startup for Peruvian nut-oil, he oversaw development of the company’s business plan. He enjoys playing with pattern cards and is fascinated by the world of IoT.
Team
Germany

Georg von der Ropp
Partner Advisory BMI Lab AG and Managing Partner BMI Lab Deutschland GmbH
Prior to joining the BMI Lab, Georg had several leadership positions at Capgemini Germany, most recently as vice president in the CTO field, focusing on digital transformation and cooperation with startups. Following an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk at Siemens AG, he studied computer science at TU München. He earned an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen. His many years of experience in large enterprises as well as in the IT and consulting industries positioned Georg to take on the challenge of how to innovate and transform successful companies.

Alexander Vencken
Innovation Consultant BMI Lab Deutschland GmbH
Together with Georg von der Ropp, Alexander started the German subsidiary of the BMI Lab in Munich. He is additionally charged with developing BMI Lab’s business in Germany and beyond. Alexander obtained his MSc in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the ESADE Business School. He has a background in entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry and worked as a consultant at Claro Partners. Startups make his heart tick faster, and he passes the knowledge he gains from them onto his clients.

