Jan Schröder is an expert in product and business model innovation with over 16 years of professional experience in organizational consulting and innovation management. He specializes in leveraging user-centered, agile methods and systemic approaches such as Human-Centered Design, Future Thinking, Lean Impact, and System Thinking to solve pressing challenges in environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and social innovation.

As co-founder and managing director of minds & makers GmbH, Jan spent 14 years leading a successful agency for human-centered design and social innovation. He has driven business development, built partnerships, and managed an interdisciplinary team. Jan has extensive expertise in the fields of energy, inclusion, education and digitalization, which he acquired in numerous innovation projects in Germany and internationally.

A graduate of the Köln International School of Design, Jan initially focused on designing innovative service products for clients from the private, public and social sector. Over time, his work evolved to encompass strategic initiatives with a clear focus on social innovation and an international orientation, including the development of innovation labs, capacity-building programs, and accelerators supporting start-ups, public institutions, and international teams. Jan has collaborated with diverse organizations mentoring teams to create innovative solutions, develop business models, and scale the impact of their innovations.