Meet our Team Driving Startup Collaboration.

A proven innovator with a track record of success in engineering, entrepreneurship and automotive technology, Robert brings a unique perspective to our team. With experience ranging from software development for Siemens and Volkswagen, several managing positions within BMW to founding and leading his own startups, Robert's expertise and entrepreneurial spirit will be instrumental in driving our mission of shaping the future of mobility forward.  

As a mechanical engineer, Fabian applied his technical expertise in various positions within BMW. His broad experience in different research & development and purchasing-related functions has given him deep insights into the interconnected processes that drive BMW, with a strong focus on electric components and high-voltage batteries.

With more than six years of experience in HR marketing and employer branding, Mirjam brings a wealth of knowledge in creating connections between people and organizations. In her new role, she will apply her expertise to marketing, communications and events, focusing on impactful storytelling and driving key initiatives forward. With her creativity and dedication, Mirjam aims to make a positive and lasting impact.

As an architect with an IT background, Christian has applied his expertise in project development across various positions within the BMW Group. His experience spans E/E software, vehicle UX design and innovation management, with a strong focus on process digitalization and AI.

Melanie identifies new use cases and challenges within the BMW Group at an early stage and channels them strategically into the venture clienting process. She coordinates with startup leads and business units, prepares relevant data and ensures transparency and traceability through structured reporting. In this way, she plays a key role in accelerating the innovation process and laying the groundwork for successful collaborations.

Sergej has a background in media informatics with a focus on user-centered technologies. At BMW Group, he has worked across various emerging technology fields and gained experience in development, innovation management, and technology scouting. Over the past years, he has closely collaborated with startups from a business perspective and is now excited to bring this experience into his role as Startup Lead, driving the integration of innovative solutions within the BMW Group Startup Garage.

With a PhD in Operations Research and a background in Industrial Engineering, Christian combines his expertise in mechanical engineering, logistics and software development to drive innovation within the BMW production system.

Johanna has a background in management and technology and has worked across various departments within BMW. Her experience within the company has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of its workings, enabling her to bring innovative IT solutions to the BMW Group.

Pablo is a talented architect with a strong track record in international projects, where he transforms visionary ideas into real, functional spaces. He combines design excellence with a deep commitment to innovation, sustainability and digital transformation in the real estate sector.

Carsten is an Innovation Manager with over ten years of experience, focusing on shaping the future of work at the intersection of people, technology and culture. At BMW Group, he drives innovation in the HR domain by making digital transformation tangible and strengthening a digital mindset across the organization.

As P² TechLAB Lead, Carsten prototypes and scales new ways of working with AI. He designs and orchestrates agentic AI workflows, translates complex AI capabilities into simple, usable solutions and enables teams to turn experiments into scalable, value‑creating applications.

Stefan is skilled in business development, automotive engineering, continuous improvement and business strategy across various areas of automotive mobility. He has developed a deep understanding of the Japanese startup environment and local automotive industry.

Lior is an innovator in automotive and software, with expertise from roles at GM, Lytx and Microsoft. Specializing in safety, sensors and cybersecurity, she leverages cutting-edge technologies to deliver impactful business outcomes and enhance driving experiences. With global experience - including time in China and collaborations across continents - Lior bridges Israeli innovation with BMW Group’s vision.

Andreas is an experienced professional in development of digital products and AI-driven features. Based in Shanghai, China, he now explores innovative technologies and solutions from the local market. Passionate about applied AI and user-centric digital innovation, he combines technical expertise with a focus on real-world implementation.

Yukki has a strong background of various IT system design and build-up projects and has extensive experience in digital related solution. She has developed a deep understanding of startup environment in China.

Julian gained extensive experience in business development and innovation management in Asian markets and is an expert on the Korean automotive industry and startup ecosystem.

Marc has gained extensive experience in research, technology scouting and innovation management across Germany, Japan, Israel and China. He now leads the Tech Office Japan, identifying and connecting promising technologies and companies from the Japanese innovation ecosystem. His professional focus lies on enabling technologies for new user experiences and AI-driven features.

Brooke is an IT Innovation Strategist for the IT Tech Office Americas. She has been with the BMW Group since 2011 with a background in Data & Analytics. Brooke has a passion for delivery within emerging technologies while ensuring a focus on business value and remaining customer-centric. Working closely with the IT Tech Office team, she is focused on planning, organizing and implementing a roadmap for innovation ideas and moving concepts into reality within the Americas Region.

Kendall is passionate about the intersection of emerging technology in the business world and motivated by making an impact within the innovation space. She has been with the BMW Group since 2022, gaining diverse experience across IT infrastructure, construction project management, corporate communications and innovation strategy. Kendall provides strategic insights in the Americas region as the lead for the Startup Garage, Incubator process and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship training strategy.