About

Over 20 years on both sides of the table — as operator and advisor.

Michael Brinkmann

Michael Brinkmann combines operational leadership with strategic advisory. Over two decades as Managing Partner, Managing Director, Co-Founder, and Executive Vice President — at Trustfund, ADAC Financial Services, Kopplr, and Wirecard. Complemented by early career stations at BBDO, KPMG, and Merrill Lynch.

Earlier stations at BBDO and KPMG built a foundation in strategic marketing, consulting, and commercially grounded problem-solving. An MBA from United States International University in San Diego and a degree in International Business Administration from IBS Lippstadt provide the academic underpinning.

The recurring themes across these roles are growth strategy, partnership logic, and trust-critical execution. Whether advising on market positioning, building alliance structures, or leading through operational complexity — the work consistently returns to the question of where credible growth comes from and how it can be made to hold.

Today, Michael works selectively with organizations and leaders who value senior judgment over slideware — where clarity, decision quality, and commercial grounding matter more than volume.

Operator Lens

Built in real execution environments.

The perspective comes from operating roles, not distance from them. That matters when advice has to survive practical reality.

Sector Depth

Particularly strong in payments and partnerships.

Fintech, payments, alliance models, and commercially relevant digital change are recurring contexts throughout the track record.

Working Style

Selective, clear, and low on noise.

The aim is not volume. It is clarity, decision quality, and progress in the areas that matter most.