Liquid Democracy
Managing Director & Board Chairman
Overview
Liquid Democracy is a pioneering non-profit organisation developing open-source software for digital democratic participation. As an innovator in civic technology, the organisation creates platforms that enable governments, institutions, and communities to engage citizens in transparent decision-making processes.
My Role &
Responsibilities
As Managing Director and Board Chairman, I led Liquid Democracy through a critical period of growth and product development. My responsibilities encompassed strategic direction, financial management, team leadership, product development oversight, and stakeholder engagement across multiple sectors.
Key responsibilities included:
Strategic organisational and product development
Financial controlling and sustainability planning
Team management of 30 interdisciplinary professionals
Public representation at conferences and events
Client relations with government agencies and institutions
Coordination of open-source software development
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I guided the organisation through strategic repositioning to focus on sustainable growth and impact. Developed clear organisational structures and communication channels that aligned our technical capabilities with social mission on a growth trajectory from 3 employees when I started to over 25 when I left.
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As project manager and product owner, I oversaw the implementation of advanced participation tools using modern web technologies. Led technical decisions that balanced innovation with reliability to serve diverse institutional clients.
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I represented Liquid Democracy at international conferences and to government stakeholders. Developed communication strategies that translated complex technical concepts into accessible language for non-technical audiences.
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I developed a comprehensive controlling system specifically designed for open-source software development in agile (SCRUM) methodology. Created a pioneering points-based estimation framework that allowed accurate tracking of engineering efforts, resource allocation, and project timelines. This system balanced the inherent flexibility of agile development with the rigor needed for financial planning and reporting, enabling more accurate budgeting and resource management.
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I led a transformative organisational shift from a donation-based NGO to a robust multi-revenue organisation. Successfully implemented a dual business model that simultaneously competed in public tenders for innovation funding while developing technical and civic engagement consulting services. This strategic repositioning increased financial sustainability while preserving our core mission, resulting in diversified revenue streams and enhanced organisational resilience.
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I developed specialised expertise in navigating complex public tender frameworks at both German and European levels. Successfully secured and managed projects under multiple EU funding mechanisms including FP7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe. Implemented compliant financial, accounting and reporting systems that satisfied stringent public funding requirements while maintaining operational flexibility, ensuring both regulatory compliance and effective project delivery.
Key Projects
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mein.berlin.de
Led the development and implementation of Berlin's official citizen participation platform. This project established digital democracy infrastructure for Germany's capital city, enabling thousands of citizens to engage in urban planning decisions.
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advocate-europe.eu
Developed a Europe-wide idea challenge platform in partnership with MitOst e.V. and supported by Stiftung Mercator. This initiative fostered transnational collaboration and civic innovation across European borders.
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Adhocracy+
Directed the ongoing development of Adhocracy, our core open-source participation software. Implemented agile development practices that improved code quality while maintaining our commitment to transparency and accessibility.
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Policy Compass
Coordinated Liquid Democracy's role in this EU-funded project that created tools for evidence-based policy making. Our team developed components for the open-source platform that helped visualise and analyse policy impacts.
Under my leadership, Liquid Democracy established itself as a leading provider of digital participation solutions in Germany and across Europe. The platforms we developed continue to engage thousands of citizens in democratic processes, demonstrating the potential of technology to strengthen civic engagement.
Our commitment to open-source development ensured that the tools we created remain accessible to governments and organizations of all sizes, providing sustainable infrastructure for digital democracy.
Other Projects…
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2018-2023 | ∄ Kyiv
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Transformed Ukraine's first brewery into a 6,000m² multifunctional arts center and concert hall. Led architectural development, managed 250 staff, and hosted 70,000+ annual visitors. -
2023-Present | Otis.travel
Co-Founder, Managing Director, CFO
Developing an AI-first, innovative digital travel booking processes for business travel focused on the music industry, connecting directly to global distribution systems & consolidators.