I am a global technology leader driving innovation in mobility and digital transformation

Nihat Küçük

EAQ-UKG-P2F - 01 - 1365x2048 - 2024-08-24

agile &
visionary

Innovator

passionate

Entre preneur

seasoned
professional in

Automotive

exceptionally
skilled

Technology Leader

result-oriented

Product Developer

years

36

multi-national professional experience

years

16

technology startup background

years

20

large-scale organization experience

years

16

C-suite and board-level experience

founder of

2

technology startup companies

Work Experience

since 2024

Independent Business Consultant
Mobility, Navigation, and Digital Transformation, Stuttgart (Germany)

Advising companies on mobility, navigation, and digital transformation strategie

2021-2024

CTO Terranet Tech AB (Lund, Sweden)
Managing Director Terranet Tech GmbH (Stuttgart, Germany)

Leadership in Technology: Conceptualized and developed an innovative computer vision system for automotive.
Product Responsibility: Successfully launched a new product line, built and scaled a development team, strengthened R&D activities, and positioned Terranet as a provider of ADAS safety systems.
Expansion: Established a German subsidiary, oversaw business development, executed successful public relations campaigns, and drove company growth.
Performance Optimization: Attracted new talent and motivated existing employees to excel, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

2016-2021

Mercedes-Benz AG
Manager Digital Maps, Traffic, ADAS and Mobility Lab
Sindelfingen (Germany)

Innovation Lab: Founded and led an international innovation lab focused on developing cutting-edge navigation solutions.
Software Architecture: Developed a state-of-the-art software architecture for real-time navigation using cloud-based map streaming technologies.
Product Strategy: Designed a comprehensive product strategy for high-definition map data, including integration into autonomous driving functions.
Technology Integration: Successfully integrated innovative technologies like what3words to enhance user experience in MBUX navigation.
Cost and Budget Responsibility: Achieved significant cost reductions in global map licensing, managing a multi-million-euro development budget.
Global Responsibility: Ensured continuous data supply and updates for navigation systems across all vehicle lines, with regular quality assurance through extensive testing.

2013-2016

Daimler Mobility Services GmbH
Manager Maps & Mobility
Stuttgart (Germany)

Innovation Lab: Founded and led an international innovation lab focused on developing cutting-edge navigation solutions.
Software Architecture: Developed a state-of-the-art software architecture for real-time navigation using cloud-based map streaming technologies.
Product Strategy: Designed a comprehensive product strategy for high-definition map data, including integration into autonomous driving functions.
Technology Integration: Successfully integrated innovative technologies like what3words to enhance user experience in MBUX navigation.
Cost and Budget Responsibility: Achieved significant cost reductions in global map licensing, managing a multi-million-euro development budget.
Global Responsibility: Ensured continuous data supply and updates for navigation systems across all vehicle lines, with regular quality assurance through extensive testing.

2011-2013

CloudMade Ltd.
Executive Board Member CloudMade Ltd. London (UK), Menlo Park (USA)
Managing Director CloudMade Deutschland GmbH
Stuttgart (Germany)

Company Sale and Startup Formation: Facilitated the sale of OneStepAhead AG assets to CloudMade Ltd. and established the CloudMade Germany GmbH startup.
Business Management and Development: Solely responsible for managing the CloudMade branch in Stuttgart, overseeing strategy, business development, and project acquisition.
Product Management: Led product development for innovative navigation products, digital maps, location-based services, mobile apps, and backend services.
Successful Acquisitions: Secured and managed high-profile clients such as Daimler, Audi, Siemens, Motorola, SAP, and Alcatel-Lucent; held overall responsibility for marketing and sales.
Area of expertise: Specializing in navigation solutions, including mobile apps, outdoor maps, online and offline mapping services, and indoor positioning systems.

2000-2011

OneStepAhead AG
CEO OneStepAhead Aktiengesellschaft
Managing Director, Co-founder, Partner OneStepAhead GmbH
Stuttgart, Berlin (Germany)

Startup Establishment: Founded a software and technology startup focused on mobility, traffic, and navigation, led an interdisciplinary team of 25 software developers, engineers, freelancers, and consultants.
Business Management: Responsible for strategy planning, operational management, business development, M&A, and partnerships.
Product and Project Management: Directed product development and coordinated international projects, securing follow-up projects.
Client Portfolio: Successfully collaborated with major clients such as Daimler, Audi, Siemens, SAP, eBay, and other global clients.

1999-2000

DaimlerChrysler AG
Manager Information Technology Group

Stuttgart, Berlin (Germany)

Team Formation: Established an eight-member research team focused on transportation and traffic research, collaborating across departments with a €12 million annual research budget.
Research Focus: Led groundbreaking research initiatives focused on in-vehicle data, developing innovative software components and collaborating with industry leaders on strategic projects at national and European levels.
Innovation and Prototyping: Developed innovative information and mobility services, including the world’s first dynamic navigation system for Mercedes-Benz Tokyo.
Collaboration with Serial Development: Worked closely with Mercedes-Benz passenger car development in pre-development telematics and navigation.

1996-1999

Daimler Research & Technology Group North America
Project Manager Mobility and Traffic

Palo Alto, California (USA)

USA Research Center: Contributed to the founding phase of Daimler-Benz AG’s Research and Technology Center in Palo Alto, worked closely with authorities on traffic research projects.
Academic Collaborations: Engaged in research projects with local universities (Stanford, Berkeley), traffic authorities, and high-tech companies.
Technology Development: Developed innovative software applications for mobility services on web-based devices, 2-way pagers, or mobile phones, transferred research results to various business units, particularly Mercedes-Benz, for the development of new mobility services.
Partnerships: Established strategic partnerships with industry, high-tech companies, authorities, and startups.

1990-1996

Daimler-Benz AG
Research Associate, Traffic Research Division

Stuttgart, Berlin (Germany)

International Research: Actively participated in large European research projects such as PROMETHEUS, DRIVE, and STORM, as well as national initiatives like ITGS-Tokyo.
Research Focus: Specialized in system analysis, software architectures, system interfaces, communication channels, traffic information systems, and novel intermodal mobility services.
Algorithms: Developed advanced algorithms for intermodal route planning, tour planning, satellite communication, fleet management, and electronic information systems.
Prototype Development: Developed various prototypes for GPS-based vehicle tracking and navigation, vector-based street maps, location-based services, satellite communication, and fleet monitoring

Skills & Expertise

Highly accomplished technology leader with 34 years of experience driving innovation in mobility and digital transformation

Proven track record in building and leading global teams, developing cutting-edge navigation systems, and successfully launching new products

Skilled in strategic planning, product development, and business development

Core Competencies

E

Technology Leadership: Proven ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions.

E

Product Development: Expertise in the entire product lifecycle, from concept to commercialization.

E

Business Strategy: Proven track record in developing and executing successful business strategies.

E

Technical Skills: Proficient in navigation systems, digital maps, AI, and cloud-based technologies.

E

Agile Culture: Strong leadership and mentorship skills with a focus on fostering a collaborative culture

Profile

E

Passionate technology leader with over 33 years of proven experience in steering technology startups and development teams at a premium automotive manufacturer.

E

Strategically seasoned technology manager with extensive expertise and focus on navigation systems, digital mapping, traffic information, driver assistance systems, environment perception, and location-based services, deep understanding of business models, trends, and the latest technological developments.

E

Global technology leader with significant experience and exceptional skills in building, leading, inspiring, and motivating interdisciplinary international teams (USA, Asia, Europe) from diverse cultural backgrounds to achieve high performance.

E

Comprehensive Expertise in the entire product development lifecycle, from system analysis and concept development to architecture, implementation, and market launch, with a holistic view of complex systems and their integration into existing infrastructures.

E

Excellent Cross-cultural communication skills and sensitivity, fluent in German, English, and Turkish, strong experience in collaborating with virtual teams and in international project and product development.

E

Frequent International travel to engage with global clients, suppliers, and partners, and to attend and present at industry events and conferences.

Work Style

E

Empathetic and Inclusive Leadership: I foster a deep understanding of my team’s, business partners’, suppliers’, and customers’ needs through active listening and engagement.

E

Collaborative Environment: I actively promote collaboration across various disciplines, including development, business development, and marketing, to achieve comprehensive solutions.

E

Mentoring and Coaching: I support the professional development and growth of my team members through regular mentoring and coaching.

E

Technological Competence: I stay current with the latest technological advancements and utilize modern tools, components, and technologies to accelerate development processes and enhance product quality and functionality.

E

Transparent Communication: I maintain regular, open communication to ensure processes and decisions are transparent, fostering a culture of open feedback, participation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

E

Agile Methods: I enhance team efficiency and flexibility through agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban), using sprints and iterations to provide a continuous and transparent overview of project progress.

E

Data-Driven Decision Making: I use KPIs and metrics alongside my experience and intuition to measure progress, success, and outcome acceptance, leading to well-informed decisions.

Languages

German

Native

English

fluent, business proficient

Turkish

Native

Patents

I have a deep understanding of patent law which is essential for safeguarding a company’s intellectual assets and mitigating legal risks in product development.

^DE102015009337: Enhancing public transport navigation for mobile devices, contributing to improved user experience

^DE102016015402: Optimizing route planning in electric vehicles by considering charging times.

^DE102016015149: Operating an assistance system of a vehicle involving determining a route along locations with charging stations for an electric vehicle

^DE102018009629: Navigating a person within a building using a smartwatch involving displaying orientation-relevant and destination-relevant information as pictograms, providing haptic feedback through unique vibration patterns for maneuvering instructions.

^DE102013221714: Navigation system for pedestrians using IOT devise, including haptic navigation instructions, simplified and symbolized intersections, landmarks, and route guidance information

^DE102019004107: Indoor navigation using mobile devices, involves scanning passive tags placed within a building to determine, combination with sensor data and stored maps