THOMAS ENGLER

Venture & Operating Partner | Strategic Growth Leader | Trusted Capital Advisor

LinkedIn | Email | Phone

[email protected]

+41 76 595 80 59

Basel, CH

About

Highly accomplished Venture & Operating Partner and Strategic Growth Leader with over 15 years of expertise in venture building, SaaS growth, Fintech innovation, and digital transformation. Proven success in founding and scaling technology platforms, driving enterprise sales across Europe and North America, and steering capital toward sustainable, long-term value creation. Serves as a trusted capital advisor to founders, institutions, and family offices, adept at blending commercial insight with operational expertise and entrepreneurial empathy.

Work Experience

Chief Development Officer, Executive Board Member

Digital Solutions

Nov 2023 - Present

Basel, Basel-Stadt, CH

Leading revenue and innovation strategy across enterprise and public-sector markets, positioning Digital Solutions for regulated transformation and strategic growth.

  • Strategically positioned Digital Solutions as a key partner for regulated transformation, driving innovation in public-sector markets.
  • Spearheaded market expansion efforts and strategic growth initiatives, enhancing the company's competitive footprint.
  • Directed AI/digital modernization initiatives for Geneva's Département des finances, significantly advancing digital capabilities.
  • Cultivated and managed key partnerships, overseeing the successful execution of GTM plans.
  • Designed and implemented robust performance frameworks tied to public service outcomes, ensuring transparency and institutional agility.
  • Targeting and cultivating strategic deals valued between CHF500K and CHF2M, enhancing market presence and revenue streams.

Co-Founder & CEO

Drivata / Accelerated by Tenity/Six

Feb 2020 - Oct 2023

Zurich, Zurich, CH

Founded and scaled a SaaS platform for risk profiling and road safety, leading the company through a successful acquisition.

  • Managed full P&L and successfully led the company through a strategic acquisition by a confidential Swiss firm.
  • Founded and scaled a pioneering SaaS platform for risk profiling and road safety, analyzing over 1M trips to enhance user safety.
  • Secured high-value SaaS and data service deals, ranging from €100K to €1M, with major insurers and corporates including Vinci, Veolia, and RATP.
  • Selected by the prestigious Tenity (SIX Group) Fintech incubator, recognized for disrupting insurance through smart mobility innovations.
  • Secured a FrenchTech grant and BPI support, earning recognition as a Top French AI Startup by France Digitale in 2023.

CEO

Carify / Spin-off from Autopass

Feb 2018 - Dec 2021

Toronto, Ontario, CA

Launched and scaled a Car-as-a-Service business in North America, driving significant revenue growth and operational efficiency.

  • Successfully launched the Car-as-a-Service business across North America following the Mobivia acquisition.
  • Engineered robust cloud infrastructure supporting 60+ dealerships across North America, ensuring scalable operations.
  • Integrated AI into lifecycle management, optimizing for compliance, consumer protection, and residual value stability.
  • Designed and deployed a digital "Car-as-a-Service" ecosystem, fundamentally rethinking vehicle access, ownership, and data-driven valuation.
  • Led strategic sales, P&L, and team operations, driving business growth and market penetration.
  • Spearheaded platform deployment to 60 dealerships, achieving a 30% increase in utilization and generating over 5,000 car sales, totaling $100M in revenue.

Founding Member / Country Manager

Autopass (acquired by Mobivia/Mulliez Family)

Jan 2013 - Jan 2018

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Scaled a SaaS platform across 12 countries, driving significant ARR growth and operational improvements.

  • Successfully scaled a SaaS platform across 12 international markets, driving global expansion and market share.
  • Assumed full P&L ownership, securing over $1M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) contracts with key enterprise clients.
  • Directed Salesforce CRM integration to streamline sales and customer management processes, enhancing efficiency.
  • Founded and organized the influential AFTO industry conference, establishing thought leadership and networking opportunities.

Head of Marketing & E-business

Foyer Group

Sep 2008 - Dec 2012

Luxembourg, LU

Led digital transformation for financial and insurance services, overseeing significant revenue streams and strategic initiatives.

  • Managed a portfolio generating €2B in revenue, contributing to significant financial growth and market performance.
  • Initiated and launched the Group's banking activity through the strategic acquisition of CapitalAtWork.
  • Directed the end-to-end process of compiling, reviewing, and publishing the annual report for a publicly traded company, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and transparency for shareholders and market authorities.
  • Spearheaded the development and deployment of #1 ranked iOS applications and CRM solutions, engaging over 100,000 users.

Education

Investment Banking

Rotman, University of Toronto

Sep 2013 - Apr 2015

Toronto, Ontario, CA

Courses

  • Integrative Thinking

E-business

EM Business School - Grande Ecole

Sep 2007 - Aug 2008

Strasbourg, Grand Est, FR

International Management

ISEG

Sep 1998 - Jun 2002

Strasbourg, Grand Est, FR

Science and Mathematics

Lycée St Augustin

Sep 1995 - Jun 1998

Bitche, Grand Est, FR

Courses

  • High School Diploma

Projects

Blooridge Investments

Sep 2016 - Present

Serving as a Non-Executive Director for an asset management firm.

Languages

French , English , German

Skills

Venture Capital & Investments

  • Direct Investments
  • Venture Building
  • Capital Advisory
  • LP Relationship Management
  • Cross-Border Deal Execution

SaaS & Mobility Platforms

  • SaaS Platforms
  • Mobility Platforms
  • Cloud Infrastructure
  • AI Modernization
  • Digital Transformation

Strategic Growth & Sales

  • Strategic GTM
  • Enterprise Sales
  • Market Expansion
  • Revenue Strategy
  • P&L Management

Corporate Governance & Advisory

  • Board Governance
  • Capital Markets
  • Trusted Advisor
  • Founder Relations

ESG & Impact Strategies

  • ESG Integration
  • Impact-Driven Strategies
  • Sustainable Value Creation