25 Years of Tech Leadership
An overview of Daniel Keller's career across product and technology leadership — from BMW to four successful company exits with a combined exit value over $1.6B.
25 Years of Tech Leadership
Experience and learnings from over 25 years as CTO, CPO, and CIO across startups, scaled internet platforms, and enterprise.
About Daniel Keller
I have over 25 years of experience as a technology executive, with a strong focus on successfully building global internet products and digitalizing traditional business models.
Over the past two decades, I have played a key role in the development of AutoScout24, Ciao!, zanox/AWIN, Visable, and Onfido. As CIO of Axel Springer, I significantly shaped the company’s digital transformation. At the Berlin-based company builder Hitfox / IONIQ Group, I supported the next generation of FinTech startups in their development.
Successful Exits
- Ciao!, sold as part of Greenfield Online to Microsoft, 2008
- Visable, sold to Alibaba Group (AIDC), 2023
- Onfido, sold to Entrust, 2024
My passion lies particularly in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. I live in Berlin, am married, and the father of three grown children aged 23, 27, and 29.
Professional Career
1995 - 2000 | BMW Group
While still studying computer science, I developed a start-control system for BMW AG in Regensburg. Together with a team of fellow students I built, we successfully deployed the system across several BMW plants. Later, I implemented Virtual Reality solutions to optimize and shorten BMW Group’s vehicle development processes.
2000 - 2005 | AutoScout24
I built the development teams and technology division of the then-young company AutoScout24. At the same time, I earned my Executive MBA at the University of Augsburg and the Katz Business School in Pittsburgh (USA) with distinction.
2005 - 2010 | Ciao! & Microsoft
As the managing executive of Ciao!, then Europe’s largest price comparison portal, I expanded the business internationally, founded a US subsidiary, and served on the Executive Board of its parent company Greenfield Online (NASDAQ-listed).
Following the sale to Microsoft for $486 million, I took on a leadership role at Microsoft in Europe and the USA. During this time, I received the Microsoft Research Award for developing new Machine Learning techniques for Bing’s commerce search, in collaboration with Rakesh Agrawal, the inventor of the world’s first data mining solution.
2010 - 2016 | Axel Springer (zanox & CIO Role)
Within Axel Springer, I initially served as CTO of zanox AG (now AWIN) and board member responsible for product and technology. I also developed the integration strategy for the acquisitions of M4N and Affiliate Windows.
Later, I became CIO of Axel Springer SE, restructuring the company’s IT and product development while driving its digital transformation. In collaboration with Samsung, I helped develop upday, now the largest mobile news app in Europe, with 442.9 million users across 16 countries.
2016 - 2018 | Hitfox / IONIQ Group
As Group CTO of the company builder Hitfox (now IONIQ Group), I helped launch solarisBank, Element, and other platform startups in the FinTech sector. Additionally, I founded new ventures in Virtual & Augmented Reality.
2019 - 2023 | Visable (Wer liefert was / Europages)
As CTO of Visable Group, I worked on elevating B2B commerce platforms to the next level, aiming to establish a European version of Alibaba. In 2023, the company was successfully sold to Alibaba.
2023 - 2024 | Onfido (AI-Powered Identity Verification)
As CTO of Onfido, a leading provider of AI-driven identity verification, I focused on automation and scaling. This approach played a major role in the company’s sale to Entrust for $650 million.
Today | Focus on AI Startups & Longevity
Currently, I primarily support AI startups in their early stages and actively explore Longevity, focusing on innovations that enhance and extend human life.