In times of economic pressure, large corporations often struggle to balance innovation with caution, especially when exploring new business activities. The drive to stay competitive and diversify is tempered by the need for cost efficiency, creating a tension between ambition and risk management. New ventures require agility, investment, and a degree of experimentation—qualities that can clash with the structure and oversight inherent in large organizations. Additionally, internal resources are often stretched thin as teams prioritize core operations, leaving limited bandwidth for exploring uncharted territories. This environment can stifle innovation, making it challenging for corporations to seize emerging opportunities and position themselves for long-term success in a rapidly shifting market.
Stephan, born in Karlsruhe, Germany – living in Zurich, Switzerland & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As one of the first realizing the potential of open strategy, Stephan helped numerous clients mastering disruptions & developing breakthrough strategies.
As CEO of Innovative Management Partner (IMP) he shaped the firm’s positioning as leading co-innovator.
As professor of business model innovation at University of Bremen (Germany), he published about strategy, managing disruptions and innovation eco-systems.
Together with his co-authors he was nominated
for the 2021 Thinkers50 strategy award
Manfred is an enthusiastic founder and entrepreneur.
In his more than 20 years as entrepreneur he made it his mission to collaborate with German SMEs in order to make Germany an innovation lighthouse for digitalization in the world.
Starting out as a software developer he soon gained extensive knowledge of strategy and business model innovation making him an expert in creation and scaling of digital business – proven by establishing more than 25 companies with three successful exits.
He also is an active advisor & investor for startups.
We are passionate entrepreneurs, driven by a shared vision to equip companies in the DACH region for the radical changes in our world. We firmly believe that existing companies form the backbone of our business landscape. For years, we have been helping to not only strengthen this backbone from various perspectives but also to ensure its long-term development.
Now, with neo, we’ve joined forces to take this mission further by combining Open Strategy and Venture Building to achieve our goal.
We critically examine the client’s existing business model, identifying why it no longer meets current demands and uncovering the barriers to future growth.
We explore uncharted territories to discover attractive new opportunities and potential business models in complex, evolving markets.
We craft innovative, tailored business logics and design distinctive new ventures that align with the client’s strategic goals.
We bring new business models to life, implementing and scaling them with precision and focus on sustainable growth.
We bring our entrepreneurial spirit to the table, sharing risks and fostering a mindset of agility, resilience, and opportunity.
At neo, our strength is our ability to become exactly what our clients need, whenever they need it. We adapt our roles to match each unique challenge, providing the precise expertise and approach required at every step.
As the Challenger, we take a hard look at existing business models, identifying why they no longer work as they once did and revealing critical areas for evolution.
Moving into the role of Navigator, we lead clients through complex new environments, finding promising opportunities and identifying new business models that align with emerging trends.
When it’s time to build, we step into the Architect role, designing customized, innovative business logics that shape the foundation of a new venture.
To bring these new models to life, we transition into the Executor role, implementing and ramping up the business with a focus on measurable outcomes and long-term sustainability.
And throughout it all, we carry the mindset of the Entrepreneur, sharing our spirit and willingness to take calculated risks, fostering a culture of agility and resilience within the organization.
Our ability to fluidly shift between these roles means we’re prepared for any challenge, at any phase, ensuring our clients have the right support, insight, and leadership to realize their goals and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
