Philipp Joas

I partner with owners, investors, and executives to solve leadership and execution challenges. Drawing on Atreus’s 18,000+ senior executives and Heidrick & Struggles’ global network, we deliver leadership that drives results — fast, reliably, and with integrity. Focused on transformation, carve-outs, value creation, and purpose-driven performance.

My personal platform for early-stage investments and selective advisory engagements at the intersection of tech, sustainability, and digital transformation I remain selective in new commitments, focusing on opportunities where my operational experience and background can create outsized impact.

Ampero was a fully owned subsidiary of BayWa r.e., founded to transform renewable-energy portfolio management through AI-powered SaaS. Despite strong product and commercial traction, the company was closed in early 2025 as part of a group-wide strategic restructuring unrelated to its performance.

BayWa r.e. is a global leader in renewable energy with more than 6 GW developed and 10.5 GW under management across 30+ countries. Following the acquisitions of PowerHub (Canada) and Kaiserwetter (Germany), I was appointed to define and execute the group’s next-generation digital strategy and BayWa r.e.`s Software Service Offering.

Lab1886 was Daimler’s internal innovation and venture-building platform. I built and led the Venture Architects unit, delivering cross-division innovation projects and shaping the lab’s operating model. During the later phase, I supported the carve-out and sale of Lab1886 to Ulrich Dietz (GFT), transferring assets and team under time pressure.

eWings was a Berlin-based SaaS platform for business travel management. As Co-Founder and COO, I built the commercial and operational backbone, led funding rounds, and managed the company through a successful exit to Hogg Robinson Group (HRG).

humly was a digital mental-health start-up developed with Rheingau Founders, aiming to make psychological support more accessible through a mobile platform. After validating product engagement but not sufficient willingness to pay in the German market, we conducted an orderly wind-down. It was a tough lesson that deepened my bias for data-driven decisions and capital discipline.

Rheingau Founders is a professional co-founder with a focus on building digital businesses. Through its partners’ experience from various successful start-ups, Rheingau Founders can actively support the founding team in the very early stages of their start-up project.

Served as Management Assistant to the COO during a phase of strategic realignment and restructuring. Supported transformation initiatives in e-commerce and international operations, acting as the interface between C-level and department heads.