Employee Journey

Meet Max Geigis our VP Product Management

Hypatos Team
June 5, 2024
10
min. read

Today, we’re grabbing a virtual coffee with our very own Max, who’s just earned a well-deserved promotion to VP of Product Management at Hypatos.

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From the vibrant tech hubs of Munich to the innovative spaces at Deloitte Digital, Max has gathered a suitcase full of experiences before landing with us. Now, he's steering our product towards a future where it takes over all business document processing. So, let’s kick back and get the inside scoop on his journey, his life outside the office, and how he keeps things fresh and exciting at work.

Congratulations on your promotion, Max! Tell us more about your new role and what it entails.

Thank you very much! I’m VP of Product Management at Hypatos, leading a team of 2 Product Managers and 2 Designers. In my role I make sure that Hypatos is constantly moving towards its product vision: “In the future AI will take over business document processing entirely. Hypatos will provide the technology and products to enable this future.” Our product team defines the roadmap towards this vision, being in close touch with our AI research team and our customers, while constantly screening for technology and market trends.

Life Philosophy: Building on that, let's delve into the principles that have guided your journey. Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that shapes your approach to both work and life?

My life philosophy is best described by the word 'Agile'. Being able to quickly adjust to changes has been key to my success in both my personal life and at work. The world is always changing, and I believe it's better to embrace these changes as opportunities rather than resist them. This mindset has not only helped me adapt and grow but also led me to work at Hypatos, a company that values innovation and agility just as much as I do.

Life Before Hypatos: What led you to your current career path, and were there any pivotal moments or experiences that shaped your professional trajectory?

My journey began at the Technical University of Munich, where I majored in Technology & Management. Munich's vibrant scene of entrepreneurship and cutting-edge industries, known for spawning successful tech startups, greatly influenced me. After graduating, I joined Deloitte Digital, focusing on deploying cloud-based digital platforms for customer engagement across global enterprises. This role fueled my passion for solving tangible business challenges through technology. My transition to Hypatos was driven by a desire to further embrace my entrepreneurial spirit within a company at the forefront of AI technology in the B2B sector.

"Being able to quickly adjust to changes has been key to my success in both my personal life and at work."

From Day One to Now: Reflecting on your time at Hypatos, what has been the most rewarding aspect of working here? How do you feel you've grown both personally and professionally since joining?

The most rewarding aspect is the impact that I was able to have. Hypatos has a culture where employees are heard, and nobody needs to be afraid to put forward new ideas. At the same time, we are offering our product to multi-national corporations, our automation technology really changes organizations. It has been very satisfying to see our product come to life in such customer situations.  

On a personal level I have grown most by working with highly interdisciplinary and multi-cultural teams, which has expanded my horizon in many ways. Professionally I would highlight the expertise in AI technology that I could gain here at Hypatos. Hypatos is a truly AI-first company since day 1. There aren’t many companies like this.

The Spark of Passion: What ignited your interest in Product Management? Was there a specific project that made you realize this was the path you wanted to pursue?

My fascination with Product Management sparked during my university days, when I began teaching myself coding and launched several small business ventures. The experience of quickly turning ideas into reality through software was exhilarating. What I found most rewarding was identifying problems and brainstorming solutions—a core aspect of Product Management. For me, Product Management is the ultimate role, perfectly positioned at the intersection of technology, market trends, and customer needs, tasked with crafting valuable products. This blend of challenge, creativity, and impact makes it an incredibly fulfilling career path.

Defining Moments: Looking back, is there a standout moment or accomplishment at Hypatos that you're especially proud of? What made it so significant – personally or professionally?

Each successful implementation of our technology with a new customer stands out as a moment of pride for me. These successes affirm our product decisions, highlighting the team's effort and strategic insight. Overcoming the challenges involved and seeing our work in action brings immense satisfaction and pride to the entire product team.

Hypatos Team: Describe our team and company culture in your own words. Any memorable team stories you'd like to share?

Hypatos has a really open and creative vibe. Our product team is like a group of friends who work hard but also have a lot of fun together. We get things done and enjoy our time, which is a great mix. My favorite memory is being the DJ at our Christmas party last year. Seeing everyone having fun and dancing together really showed how close we all are. It was a great time that showed what our team is all about.

Personal Projects: What’s your favorite way to unwind and recharge outside of business hours? Whether it's a hobby, a favorite pastime, or a quirky interest, we'd love a sneak peek of Max in casual mode.

When I'm not immersed in projects at Hypatos, you'll often find me playing beach volleyball during Berlin's summer months. I love the combination of being outdoors, staying active, and the intense focus the game demands. It's a perfect way to disconnect from work, especially when followed by a cold drink afterwards.

Future Aspirations: Lastly, what are your aspirations for the future, both within your role at Hypatos and beyond?

I really love my role at Hypatos being able to lead product management at a highly innovative AI start-up. The main aspiration is to help the company grow further and prove that you don’t have to sit in the Silicon Valley to become a market leader in AI technology for businesses. That will keep me busy for some years to come. Knowing that the next decade will bring immense change, I’m staying realistic and don’t have fixed plans for what comes beyond.

Want to see Max in his Hypatos element? Watch him co-host one of our most interesting webinars – Accounts Payable Auto-Posting in SAP with Generative AI

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