Munich, Bavaria, Germany
I am the Co-Founder and CEO of alqem, an AI-driven materials discovery company based in Munich (DE) and Coimbra (PT) building the next generation of advanced inorganic materials. Humanity has experimentally validated only a small fraction of the chemically plausible materials space. At alqem, we are building AI systems that combine physics-informed modeling, large-scale materials data, and experimental validation to discover and industrialize breakthrough materials for energy, mobility, and computing. My career has focused on turning complex science and engineering into industrial platforms. Before founding alqem, I spent over 15 years across the chemicals, agriculture, and energy sectors, including as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company and in leadership roles at Unilever and OCI Global. Across these roles I worked on large-scale industrial projects, new technology commercialization, and energy transition initiatives spanning hydrogen, ammonia, sustainable agriculture, and decarbonization. What motivates me most is building bridges between fundamental science and real-world impact: translating ideas, models, and discoveries into technologies that can scale globally. At alqem we are building a team of scientists and engineers who want to push the boundaries of AI, physics, and materials science, and see their work translate into real atoms, real devices, and real industries.
Building alqem where we apply AI to solve one of the hardest and most important problems in science and industries: discovering and industrializing the materials that will power the next decades.
Currently, I serve as Senior Advisor to Fertiglobe, an XRG company, on business development for renewable and low carbon ammonia (projects Egypt Green, Harvest, etc.)
Responsible for developing and deploying OCI's sustainability strategy, ensuring long-term growth. Driving decarbonization in ag and chemicals, and enabling a net zero carbon future in transport.
Driving the implementation of Unilever's ambitious Climate and Water program – setting strategy, program design, governance and program management. Responsible for designing and setting up the new EUR 1 Bn Climate and Nature Fund.
Full P&L responsibility for Calla and Specialty bulbs business, integrating 3 acquired businesses across the value chain into a consolidated business unit, delivering strong top line and bottom line growth from the first year. Drive strategic innovation and acquisition projects for the company.