Guided by the vision of shaping the future, we specialize in identifying and curating opportunity spaces where innovation and market evolution intersect. Together with our partners, we transform participation into tangible growth and enduring value.
Our mission is to share industry expertise, foster collaboration, and guide our partners in navigating emerging opportunities.
WORDS FROM HARALD
“Partopreno is not just an investment company, but a way to give back the knowledge, expertise, and lessons learned over many years.”
CEO
Harald Zapp
Harald Zapp is a seasoned tech entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader with over 40 years of experience in the ICT and IIoT industries, particularly recognized for his expertise in IoT, AI, and digital transformation, where he has shaped industry trends and fostered innovation at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and business development.
His career began in the corporate world, where he was part of the personal computer and internet revolution from the very start, holding executive roles at prominent U.S. technology companies such as Wang Laboratories, Ungermann-Bass, SynOptics Communications, and finally Cisco Systems in the early 90s, where he spent a combined 25+ years during the golden age of the internet boom. During his time, Cisco became the world’s most valuable company, playing a pivotal role in shaping the internet infrastructure that powers today’s digital world.
Building on his extensive experience, Harald went on to serve as General Manager at Empolis/Attensity, a company specializing in sentiment analysis and AI-driven language models, within the SAP founder Klaus Tschira family office’s investment universe.
In 2013, Harald transitioned into the startup ecosystem, founding relayr, an IoT platform provider that combined Germany’s operational tech expertise with cutting-edge internet technologies. Under his leadership, relayr became a global IoT success story, culminating in its acquisition by Munich Re for $300 million in 2018 – one of Germany’s largest tech exits at the time.
Following this milestone, Harald set his sights on fostering the next wave of innovation. In 2016, he founded Next Big Thing AG (NBT), a Berlin-based venture studio focused on creating IoT and machine economy startups powered by AI, blockchain, and advanced technologies. As CEO, he guided NBT in building a thriving ecosystem of forward-thinking ventures, cementing its reputation as a leading hub for entrepreneurial innovation. After several successful years at the helm, Harald transitioned to the supervisory board, where he continues to provide strategic oversight.
Today, Harald serves as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Twindustrial, a digital twin company focused on transforming industries through digital innovation. Beyond his professional roles, he remains deeply involved in the tech community as a Bitkom board member, venture partner at Blockchain Founders Capital, and a vocal advocate for Industry 4.0. He also holds several supervisory board positions, including at Fink & Fuchs, an innovation communications agency, and Sensry, an IIoT AI semiconductor company. Harald is also actively fostering innovation ecosystems in South East Asia.
Now, Harald’s focus is on exploring new opportunities at the intersection of emerging technologies, evolving markets, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Passionate about sharing his wealth of knowledge, he dedicates himself to business coaching, advising, investing, and collaborating with like-minded innovators to shape the future and unlock untapped potential.
Our Consulting Areas
We guide organizations through their digital transformation journey, accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies.
We evaluate and assess emerging technologies to identify the most impactful solutions for your strategic business needs.
We guide businesses in refining their value propositions to ensure successful product launches and strong market penetration.
We support businesses in creating scalable growth strategies, leveraging emerging trends to drive continuous competitive advantage.
We provide expert guidance on how to build entrepreneurial ecosystems that foster talent, technology, and funding at their core.
We assist in designing business models, creating strategic roadmaps, and building operational structures to grow sustainably.
OUR SUPPORT AREAS
Secure strategic investment to scale your company effectively and unlock sustainable growth.
Gain clarity on critical decisions, strengthen entrepreneurial skills, and foster your growth mindset.
Harness valuable insights and expert guidance to shape your company’s future direction.
Receive governance, strategic oversight, and leadership support to unlock your business potential.
