Empowering Decisions
Research and teaching on artificial intelligence and organization. Advisory and board work on tech and microteaming.
I have worked in the technology industry since 2009. My path led from software development and data engineering through analytical leadership roles to the C-level. Since 2026 I have been Head of Data & AI at dfv Mediengruppe in Frankfurt, responsible for building and advancing the company's data and AI strategy.
Before that, from 2022 to 2026, I was Chief Data & AI Officer at SV Gruppe in Ravensburg. There I led the build-out of the cloud data infrastructure, established AI governance structures — from the AI inventory to risk classification under the EU AI Act — and led teams of up to 20 people across data engineering, analytics, data science and software development. I also served on the group's Digital Strategy Board.
From 2014 to 2022 I worked at Handelsblatt Media Group in Düsseldorf — first as a CRM analyst, most recently as Director Data Technology & Business Intelligence. During that time I built a company-wide big data platform on Databricks and Snowflake, introduced Tableau as the reporting standard, and served on the Innovation & Technology Board.
In parallel, I teach as a lecturer at FOM University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf on IT trends, innovation and artificial intelligence. In my LinkedIn newsletter “Beyond Hype” I also reflect on what moves me in the world.
Nicholas Krimmel — Düsseldorf, 2025
Lecturer for the modules "IT Trends and Innovation" and "Technology Management and Artificial Intelligence". Lectures at the intersection of technology, organization and society — focused on the practical implications of AI for companies and leadership.
My research and speaking topics sit where technology meets organization and society:
Microteaming — the method. A microteam is an autonomous unit of three to five people, amplified by AI agents. It owns a value stream end to end — with a clear mandate, minimal dependencies and full accountability.
Dossier on the method (PDF, in German) → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23164154
As an advisor to management and executive boards, or as a member of an advisory board — drawing on experience from building, scaling and running data and AI functions.
Preparing and guiding technology decisions so that data, AI and platforms deliver reliable value — strategically framed, technically grounded, with an eye on risk and regulation.
Introducing small, AI-amplified teams of three to five people who own a value stream end to end — with a clear mandate, clear roles and an operating model that supports them.
Enquiries about advisory and board mandates: mail@nicholaskrimmel.com
How large language models work — and what executives, boards and supervisory bodies should know about them.
Why small, AI-augmented teams deliver where large project organizations often stall.
The AI operating system for the German Mittelstand: how small, AI-augmented teams deliver the transformation.
About the book (German) →Detailed, source-based dossiers on AI strategy, security, data foundations, governance and leadership — as PDFs, written in German, with openly accessible bibliographies.
My newsletter on LinkedIn: a weekly personal column on technology and society. Written in German.
Talks and teaching, professional exchange on data, AI and governance, and selected advisory and advisory board mandates on tech and microteaming.
A method for small, AI-amplified teams of three to five people who own a value stream end to end — with a clear mandate and minimal dependencies. The dossier on the method is a free PDF, written in German.
By e-mail at mail@nicholaskrimmel.com or via LinkedIn — I read both myself.