Sarah Gottwald - Blockchain, AI & Digital Transformation

Q: Where is Sarah based?

Sarah is based in Munich, Germany .

Q: What languages does Sarah speak?

Sarah speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Intermediate) .

Q: How many years of experience does Sarah have?

Sarah has at least 13 years of experience. During this time, Sarah has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 5 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 8 months . Note that Sarah may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Sarah's latest experience?

Sarah's most recent position is Blockchain, AI & Digital Transformation at Self-employed .

Q: What companies has Sarah worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Sarah has worked for Self-employed , Academy 4 Disruptive Minds , Blockchain Founders Group , Vanagon Ventures , and BMW AG .

Q: Which industries is Sarah most experienced in?

Sarah is most experienced in industries like Automotive , Banking and Finance , and Information Technology . Sarah also has some experience in Education and Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas is Sarah most experienced in?

Sarah is most experienced in business areas like Strategy , Finance , and Legal . Sarah also has some experience in Project Management , Operations , and Product Development .

Q: Which industries has Sarah worked in recently?

Sarah has recently worked in industries like Automotive , Banking and Finance , and Information Technology .

Q: Which business areas has Sarah worked in recently?

Sarah has recently worked in business areas like Strategy , Finance , and Legal .

Recommended expert

Munich, Germany

Experience

Sep 2025 - Present

7 months

Blockchain, AI & Digital Transformation

Self-employed

Specialized in bridging Strategy, Technology, and People to deliver real-world impact in both corporate and startup ecosystems.

Feb 2024 - Present

2 years 2 months

Co-founder

Academy 4 Disruptive Minds

Co-founded an education and innovation platform for leadership development with focus on AI and blockchain
Set up the corporate structure (Swiss AG) and established operational processes
Designed and launched the first product offering, targeting executives in digital transformation
Built strategic partnerships with corporate clients, experts, and industry partners

Jan 2023 - Jul 2025

2 years 7 months

CEO

Blockchain Founders Group

Defined and translated a new strategic vision into operational growth with clear market positioning
Led the company to a net positive profitability primarily through equity-based fees for startup participation
Built structures and partnerships to accelerate sustainable expansion (e.g., LATAM markets or partnerships)
Turned a dispersed global team into a strong, diverse, co-located unit in Germany
Solely responsible for budgets, teams, and business results
Designed and implemented organizational structures tailored to scaling and innovation-driven environments
Led company restructuring, including shareholder transition from a German GmbH to a Liechtenstein AG
Skilled in negotiating and structuring shareholder agreements, investment contracts, and governance frameworks
Understanding of corporate law, governance, and investor relations in venture-backed and growth companies
Led the fundraising processes, including investor outreach, due diligence, and term sheet negotiation
Strong grasp of financing instruments and deal structures in the VC and innovation funding landscape

Jan 2022 - Dec 2022

1 year

Investment Manager

Vanagon Ventures

Screened startups in the tech sector with a focus on green tech and sustainability, including due diligence
Supported Vanagon fundraising and facilitated partnership building

Jan 2013 - Dec 2022

10 years

BMW AG

Led and represented BMW in strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and M&A deals in the digital ecosystem, including target identification, due diligence, negotiation, and integration
Shaped the strategy for highly and fully automated driving, aligning technology, business models, and partnerships
Acted as key interface between strategy, legal, finance, and R&D to ensure cross-functional alignment
Focused on building long-term cooperation and strategic relationships in the field of autonomous driving
Held interdisciplinary financial responsibility for highly and fully automated driving
Led cross-functional project controlling for autonomous driving across multiple product generations

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Automotive, Banking and Finance, Information Technology, Education, and Professional Services.

Automotive

Banking and Finance

Information Technology

Education

Professional Services

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Strategy, Finance, Legal, Project Management, Operations, and Product Development.

Strategy

Finance

Legal

Project Management

Operations

Product Development

Summary

Experienced venture leader and CEO with a strong track record in scaling companies, driving strategic partnerships, and managing M&A and growth financing. Combines deep expertise in venture capital, corporate governance, and corporate innovation, shaped by leadership roles at BMW and in the startup ecosystem. Proven ability to build high-performing teams and execute complex growth strategies.

Skills

Ai: Strategic Use Of Ai Tools In Operations And Decision-making; Ai-driven Process Automation
Strategic Leadership, M&a And Venture Scaling
Business Development & Growth Strategy, Business Model Design & Market Entry
Team Building & Organizational (Re-)structuring
Public Speaking & Moderation
Blockchain & Tokenization Strategy

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Intermediate

Education

Oct 2011 - Jun 2013

Munich University of Applied Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid

Master of Engineering · Business Administration and Engineering · Madrid, Spain · 1.5

Oct 2007 - Jun 2011

Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor of Applied Science · Business Administration and Engineering · Pforzheim, Germany · 1.9

Certifications & licenses

DeFi Talents and NFT Talents Program, Scholarship

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

KERNEL Fellowship - top talent in tech

Plan B Summer School (blockchain, defi, web3, crypto)

Franklin University Switzerland

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Università Bocconi | Coursera

Unit Masters - blockchain literacy program

Unit Network

VC Lab: Venture Institute 3

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 5

Experience in Automotive 10 y

Avg length 3 y 2 m

Longest experience 9 y 11 m

Expertise

Recent roles Blockchain, AI & Digital Transformation, Co-founder, CEO

Main industries Automotive, Banking and Finance, Information Technology

Main business areas Strategy, Finance, Legal

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Certifications earned 6

Profile

Created

November 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Sarah based?

Sarah is based in Munich, Germany.

What languages does Sarah speak?

Sarah speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Intermediate).

How many years of experience does Sarah have?

Sarah has at least 13 years of experience. During this time, Sarah has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 8 months. Note that Sarah may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Sarah be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Sarah would be well-suited for roles such as: Blockchain, AI & Digital Transformation, Co-founder, CEO.

What is Sarah's latest experience?

Sarah's most recent position is Blockchain, AI & Digital Transformation at Self-employed.

What companies has Sarah worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Sarah has worked for Self-employed, Academy 4 Disruptive Minds, Blockchain Founders Group, Vanagon Ventures, and BMW AG.

Which industries is Sarah most experienced in?

Sarah is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Banking and Finance, and Information Technology. Sarah also has some experience in Education and Professional Services.

Which business areas is Sarah most experienced in?

Sarah is most experienced in business areas like Strategy, Finance, and Legal. Sarah also has some experience in Project Management, Operations, and Product Development.

Which industries has Sarah worked in recently?

Sarah has recently worked in industries like Automotive, Banking and Finance, and Information Technology.

Which business areas has Sarah worked in recently?

Sarah has recently worked in business areas like Strategy, Finance, and Legal.

What is Sarah's education?

Sarah holds a Master in Business Administration and Engineering from Munich University of Applied Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid and a Bachelor in Business Administration and Engineering from Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences.

Does Sarah have any certificates?

Sarah has 6 certificates. Among them, these include: DeFi Talents and NFT Talents Program, Scholarship, KERNEL Fellowship - top talent in tech, Plan B Summer School (blockchain, defi, web3, and crypto).

What is the availability of Sarah?

Sarah is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Sarah?

Sarah's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.