Company Info for emergecapitalvc.com | IcebreakerMembers
Investor and entrepreneur in seed, growth and turnaround situations focused on Work Tech
Owner Menden Ventures
Founder HR Angels Club
Advisory Board Staufenbiel Institut
Board member Bayswater Education
Board member TAM Akademie
Board member PrepLounge
Board member Consultingheads
YPO Berlin
LP at Liberta Partners, Flex Capital, Acadian Ventures, Seedcamp
2022-today Future of Work Tech and Roll-Up Investor
2021-2022: Managing Director XING (Interim), Hamburg
2014-2019: Managing Director for Secret Escapes DACH, BeNeLux & Scandinavia, Berlin
2011-2013: Founder of JustBook (Exit to Secret Escapes in 2014), Berlin
2007-2010: VC Associate Straub Ventures, London
2004-2007: Consultant Oliver Wyman, Munich, Dubai
2000: Founder SQUEAKER, Cologne (Exit to F.A.Z. in 2023)
2004: Master in Business Management at University of Cologne & NHH Bergen 
Simon is Global Learning & Development Leader at EY and international best-selling author of the ‘The Curious Advantage’. Previously he was Chief Learning Officer at Novartis.
He is a commercially-minded learning leader with experience across a range of the World's leading organisations. Having co-founded Brightwave, one of the UK's leading e-Learning companies, Simon moved to Accenture to consult for companies including BT, BP, Microsoft and Canon. He then focused on the Banking industry, working with Barclays, HSBC and RBS. Following a series of projects with Lloyds, Simon moved over to deliver the Academy strategy he had designed. This role then developed into creating the business case for, and then leading the Bank-wide learning transformation.
In 2020 Simon was awarded the Chief Learning Officer, Gold Strategy Award for his and his team's work at Novartis, building on his Silver Strategy Award in 2012 for his work at Lloyds Banking Group. In 2021 Novartis was recognised as the #3 company in the world for Talent Development in the ATD BEST Awards, as well as receiving multiple other awards and accolades.
In 2013 Simon moved to Novartis global HQ in Switzerland, to set up the Learning Team in the Capability Building Academy, responsible for enhancing effectiveness of learning for the global pharma salesforce and commercial business. In 2016 he moved to the Drug Development world and created the cross-divisional 'Global Development University', before progressing in September 2017 to take over the Novartis-wide Learning CoE and Novartis Universities, and also define the strategy for Digital Capability Building.
Simon also hosts, with his co-authors, the popular podcast The Curious Advantage, which is in the top 5% of podcasts globally, and has been in the Apple Management Podcasts Top 5 in 20 countries. He is a regular keynote speaker at events internationally.
Member of World Economic Forum Chief Learning Officer Community & supporting the next generation of learning and EdTech companies as an angel investor.
Specialties: Learning, strategy, digital, change, transformation, leadership, programme management, innovation
-- Please note views and opinions expressed are my own and do not represent the views of EY-- 
I am an entrepreneur, technology visionary, and board member dedicated to leveraging innovation to transform lives and unlock potential. I thrive at the intersection of technology and education, creating scalable, purpose-driven solutions that empower learners and educators to connect, grow, and thrive.
As a founding technology leader, I’ve built secure, sustainable platforms that open doors to global learning opportunities. My passion lies in creating tools that foster meaningful, human-centered experiences—because I believe great education isn’t about tests or assignments, but the connections and inspiration that ignite growth and transformation.
Beyond entrepreneurship, I proudly serve on public and private boards, helping to shape the future of some of the most forward-thinking companies. Through advisory roles across industries, I guide organizations in harnessing technology and innovation to achieve extraordinary growth and impact.
I am inspired by diverse teams of dreamers, doers, and changemakers who push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible. I believe that collaboration and inclusivity are the foundation of innovation, driving better products, stronger solutions, and lasting success.
Above all, I’m fueled by a relentless curiosity, a deep connection to my heritage, and an unshakable commitment to creating meaningful change in everything I do. 
