About Tobias
I bridge the gap between complex engineering and commercial success.
As the current Co-Founder & CGO of a Deep Tech/AI for Autonomous Driving Startup and a former Executive at Mercedes-Benz and VinFast, I offer a rare combination of corporate rigor and startup agility.
I do not just "consult"; I execute. I help Deep Tech and Automotive companies turn technical innovations into bankable business models. My expertise lies in accelerating funding readiness, structuring go-to-market strategies for AI products, and automating operations for scalability.
Why clients hire me:
Deep Industry Context: 15+ years in Automotive R&D. I understand the technical constraints you are facing.
Founder Mindset: I treat your budget like my own equity. I focus purely on ROI and speed.
Global Network: Proven track record in DACH, Asia (Vietnam/China), and Mexico.
Core Services
1. Strategic Growth & Fundraising (Fractional CGO)
Series A Preparation: Crafting the narrative, refining the Pitch Deck, and pressure-testing the Financial Model/TAM.
Go-to-Market Strategy: Defining the path from prototype to pilot to contract for B2B Deep Tech products.
Partnership Architecture: Structuring deals with OEMs and Tier 1s.
2. Operational Excellence & Automation
The "Founder's Stack": Implementing AI agent workflows to automate lead generation, market intelligence, and CRM management.
R&D Effectiveness: Streamlining engineering-to-product workflows to reduce burn rate.
3. Market Entry & Localization
Asia Focus: Advising EU companies on setting up R&D or production hubs in Vietnam/SE Asia.
DACH Focus: Helping Asian tech firms enter the German automotive market.
German
Native or bilingual
English
Fluent
Spanish
Basic
Remote only
Primarily works remotely
Experience
- VINFASTHead of Strategic Project (Stealth)June 2025 - Today (1 year)Hanoi Metropolitan Area, VietnamProgram Execution: Leading end-to-end program management with a strict focus on production readiness and rapid deployment.Stakeholder Alignment: Coordinating strategic goals across cross-functional global teams, ensuring engineering, finance, and supply chain synchronization.Risk Management: Overseeing change management, quality targets, and timeline adherence for successful high-speed ramp-up.
- VinfastChief Engineer EE VF9AUTOMOBILEJune 2023 - June 2025 (2 years)Hanoi, VietnamGlobal Launch: Spearheaded the EE program for VF9’s entry into US and European markets, ensuring compliance with rigorous Western safety and digital standards.Team Leadership: Managed a matrix organization of 69+ engineers and professionals, delivering major hardware/software releases on time.System Integration: Orchestrated the integration of Infotainment, ADAS, and Body Electronics, ensuring seamless functionality and premium user experience
- VinfastDeputy Chief Engineer - Vehicle VF8 GlobalAUTOMOBILEJanuary 2023 - June 2023 (5 months)Hanoi, VietnamMarket Entry: Led expansion efforts for the VF8 model in Europe, navigating complex regulatory homologation requirements.Cost Optimization: Spearheaded BOM cost reduction initiatives through strategic supplier negotiations and engineering re-designs, significantly increasing vehicle profitability.
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Education
- Master the Fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning Business Development Foundations CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python (edX Verified Certificate) Become an Entrepreneur Inside a Company Python for BeginnersMaster the Fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning Business Development Foundations CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python (edX Verified Certificate) Become an Entrepreneur Inside a Company Python for Beginners
- Executive Master of Business AdministrationQuantic School of Business and Technology2021Executive Master of Business Administration