Startup Operator, Investor, Creative, & Researcher

Applying a multidisciplinary mindset to deliver real-world operational impact.

What I do…

I bring clarity and momentum to complex operational and strategic challenges, combining hands-on C-level, advisory, and early-stage investment experience in SaaS and IoT startups, a doctorate in entrepreneurship, and a track record of creative endeavours. With a multidisciplinary mindset, I apply calm pragmatism and insight to deliver actionable outcomes and help teams move forward.

  • Lack of strategic focus and clear priorities - everything feels urgent, but nothing feels aligned.

  • Misalignment between teams - company culture is not geared for productivity.

  • No balance between structure and speed - teams are either stuck in planning or rushing without thinking.

  • Broad creative or strategic thinking without execution - too many ideas, not enough traction.

  • Growth outpacing systems - early wins aren’t supported by scalable processes or operational clarity.

  • Over-reliance on one or two individuals - creating fragility instead of a resilient team structure.

Founders, operators, and investors in growing companies often face conflicting priorities, misaligned teams, reactive decisions, scaling bottlenecks, and dependency on a few key individuals - all while trying to move fast, build sustainably, and support their teams to succeed.

Sounds familiar?
I can help.

Industry Experience

My expertise lies in R&D, Product, Supply Chain & Operations strategy in the technology space, where I was able to build a track record of managing cloud-based mobile products and IoT solutions across enterprise platforms from idea to support phase through all organizational departments in fast growing businesses in the hospitality industry.

Over the years I've helped establish operational processes & efficiencies for several high growth companies and was part of many large scale project implementations. Until recently I was the Chief Operating Officer at www.interel.com, creating sustainable intelligent environments in the smart building industry through proprietary hardware, software, and services. Previously, I oversaw product development for www.iris.net, leading mobile applications SaaS provider in the hospitality space. In these positions I've been lucky enough to work with several high end clients, winning numerous awards for the products in the process. Now I support and advise SMEs and founders such as Alphaben in executive advisory and fractional roles, and am part of www.gainadvisors.com, helping hospitality companies to optimize their operations.

Angel Investments

I’ve been an early investor in more than a dozen companies by directly funding (pre-)seed stage ventures as an angel, or join later stage pre-IPO rounds via crowdfunding and private placements. I am open to joining NPOs or advisory boards and to support early stage founders, particularly solo entrepreneurs in the UAE.

Academia

I’m an expert on research in digital transformation in hospitality. I was a Research Fellow and Guest Lecturer at The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, and have also held lectures at University of Europe and Rochester Institute of Technology. I have published a number of research papers with the aim to bring industry perspectives to academia, spoke at industry conferences and share insights through mentoring students at universities on related topics.

I’m completing a Master of Science from MCI - The Entrepreneurial School Austria this year, and am currently researching entrepreneurial mentoring as part of my Doctorate of Business Administrate studies at the University of Monaco.

What others say…

“You're real management hero. It was an honor to be working with you” - Contractor

“I definitely see a sea of change in the way we run” - Employee

We much appreciate with your leadership, management and efficient job as always. - Customer

“Many many thanks for what you have taught me and how you widened my perspectives” - Employee

“The system is far better after your joining” - Employee

“ The Production quality and Supply Chain has improved manifold compared to 12 months ago" - Customer

Publications

Selected Industry Articles

Hotelier Middle East, (2019) “Academy Rewards” (Interview)

Hotelier Middle East,“Academy Rewards” (Interview)

Selected Research Papers

Nadkarni, S., Kriechbaumer, F., Christodoulidou, N., & Rothenberger, M. A. (2023). Industry 4.0 applications towards sustainability in hospitality: First waves in the guest room. Journal of Global Business Insights, 8(1), 31-48. https://www.doi.org/10.5038/2640-6489.8.1.1216

Nadkarni, S., Kriechbaumer, F., Rothenberger, M. and Christodoulidou, N.(2019), "The path to the Hotel of Things: Internet of Things and Big Data converging in hospitality", Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 93-107. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-12-2018-0120

Kriechbaumer, F. (2019), "SOLOMO – are hospitality SMEs able to move beyond traditional websites in their digital marketing roadmap for Expo 2020?", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 298-313. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-02-2019-0010

Further Writing