We live in a polarized world where it is always about “either — or”. For me it's about the &.

 

My name is Evgeni Kouris. On the one hand I am an entrepreneur & on the other hand I am a musician. So, I am half technician and half creative. At the same time, my origin is half east & half west. The first half of my life I lived in Russia, the second half in Germany. Today I live in Berlin – the city where east & west meet.

My life is full of turning points, adventures and new beginnings. At the beginning of my professional career, however, I had a vision. It has always been my dream to combine my enthusiasm for technology and my passion for music. As part of the band Timid Tiger, my path led me into the music industry, into the world of management consulting and the start-up scene. During my time in the start-up world and my experience with the classic “VC route”, I deviated far from my original vision. My wish has always been to build bridges, develop potential and give people roots & wings. Today, I focus on making exactly this vision a positive reality with New Mittelstand.

I want to build bridges between things that don't go together at first sight.

I am convinced that this is the only way to unfold all potentials.

New Mittelstand is a transformation initiative and a vision. A vision of a better way of doing business. To this end, we combine the best of two worlds – Mittelstand & start-ups. Instead of infinite growth, New Mittelstand is about purpose & sustainability. Therefore, we address several polarities at the same time: innovation & progress, origin & future, individual & collective. In short: about roots & wings. Roots to keep both feet firmly on the ground even in turbulent times, & wings to master life's challenges.

 

Ambiguity leads to fear. For me it's the other way around.

Uncertainties are potentials.

 

Where others see walls and separators, I see potential, tension and attraction. That's why I love art and music. Art is a kind of universal antivirus. If something can defeat technology, it is art. Art is diverse and yet everyone understands it. From Japan to Alaska and back in Germany. It moves something in people. And movement is a good starting point for new things.

 

Bio

 

Evgeni Kouris is the founder of New Mittelstand — a transformation initiative and a vision for a good future in Europe. In order to achieve this vision, New Mittelstand combines the best of two opposite worlds: Mittelstand (traditional family businesses) & startups. Bridging polarity of different worlds might be Evgeni's superpower: he is an entrepreneur & artist (part of the band Timid Tiger), engineer & community designer, connecting East (born in Russia) & West cultures.

Prior to founding New Mittelstand, Evgeni Kouris studied computer science and economics in Bonn. In parallel, he worked as a "business hacker" at TUV Rheinland and released first album with the band. Afterwards, he led large corporate transformations at BCG's digital subsidiary Platinion and later helped establishing Design & Engineering practice. Starting 2012, Evgeni successfully founded and scaled several innovative startups (seedcamp and hub:raum portfolio) in Berlin.