How I Work
A systems-level operator across product, technology, and commercial — with a growth-equity exit behind me. One through-line: durability.
Engagements usually start small — a single diligence read, or a half-day with a portfolio company's product leadership — and grow from there if they're useful.
Reading a target's product and technology the way the Durability Stack reads a moat: what's genuinely defensible, what the customer or a competitor can reclaim, where the real AI exposure sits — past the surface "it's SaaS, so it's exposed" read.
One example of what that surfaces: almost no vendor today can show which work was done by an AI agent and who is accountable for it. It scores nothing in a feature comparison, so it appears on no scorecard — and it becomes a priced gap at exit. That's the class of finding a durability read is looking for.
A standing sounding board to the fund on product and technology, across pipeline and portfolio.
Working directly with portfolio-company product and tech leaders on CPTO-level strategy where a fund wants hands-on support, not a report.
Regular consultations through expert networks, usually M&A-driven. Where the technology actually stands, how the vendor landscape is really shaped, which players are stronger or weaker than the market assumes. Dozens of these, in categories I've operated in directly.
A peer who's held the seat — CTO first, then CPO / CPTO — and been through the exit, bringing the investor's-eye view back to the operator's side of the table.
A formal seat with a scale-up, bringing product, technology, and commercial judgment.
A senior peer to pressure-test product and technology strategy with — for a CPO, CPTO, or a CEO carrying product.
Helping a leadership team make their durability legible before investors stress-test it.
Where I'm not the right call.
I read product, technology, and the commercial logic connecting them. I don't run code, security, or infrastructure audits — a full technical DD needs a specialist alongside me, and I'll say so early rather than late.
My regulated-industry depth is DACH mid-market EHS, quality and integrated management systems. Global GxP and life sciences is adjacent, not mine.
I'm European. On US-market questions I'm a second opinion, not a first.
Worth a conversation?
info@mariolenz.de