Digitalisation & Technology, 31 July 2025
ERGO mentors: ‘What appeals to you about working with start-ups and scale-ups?’
ERGO mentors share their perspectives on successful collaboration with innovative start- and Scale-ups in the ERGO ScaleHub
In this interview, four ERGO experts explain why they have decided to take on additional roles as mentors at ERGO ScaleHub alongside their main jobs, what skills and experience they bring to the table, and how they help ensure that both sides benefit from our collaboration with young companies.
With more than 90 successful start-up partnerships and collaborations, we at ERGO have proven our ability to change dozens of times over. ERGO CDO Mark Klein explains why we seek proximity and cooperation with such young, innovative companies here on //radar.
Just under a year ago, ERGO also founded the ERGO ScaleHub – an interface for new digital solutions and ideas that connects young founders with our specialist departments. With the TechHub.K67 and Wirtschaftsförderung Düsseldorf, this new, innovative unit offers a community space in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia where networks can be established and collaborations can flourish.
We are now delighted to announce our ERGO ScaleHub mentoring programme, which brings together ERGO mentors, project managers and the ScaleHub team with start-ups and scale-ups to tackle tailor-made challenges together and help the young companies to scale up further. Our colleagues are doing this with a high level of personal commitment – above and beyond their day-to-day project work.
Mark Klein also highly appreciates this: “It's great that national and international ERGO employees are supporting our digital transformation with their expertise”, says our CDO on LinkedIn. “ScaleHub is growing as the umbrella of our venture client business: human, on equal terms and full of impact.”
Interview
The mentors of the ERGO ScaleHub
Hello everyone, please introduce yourselves briefly: What is your role at ERGO – and how can we imagine your additional work as mentors in the ERGO ScaleHub?
“Gladly. At ERGO, I work with my Third-Party Management Function department to help our specialist departments assess risks associated with working with service providers and develop effective measures to manage these risks. As a mentor in the ERGO ScaleHub, I support young companies, particularly when governance issues arise, and provide them with practical assistance if they want to become service providers for ERGO themselves.”
“As Head of Business Development Operations, I am responsible for the further development and transformation of ERGO Operations, among other things. In my role as a mentor at ERGO ScaleHub, I want to promote innovation, share knowledge and actively shape the future of ERGO.”
“And I head up portfolio management for the Asian markets, supporting our Asian subsidiaries and affiliates in all business matters. My involvement in ScaleHub is intended to help identify and adapt solutions and implement them successfully in our international markets.”
“I am essentially Alexander's counterpart for the European markets and, as Head of Portfolio Management, I support our subsidiaries there in their respective business areas. In this position, I gain insights into very different market dynamics and am familiar with the challenges and opportunities that start-ups face in the respective countries. I can now also contribute this market knowledge as a mentor to help start-ups refine their business models, tap into new markets and implement innovative solutions that drive their growth.”
And what motivated you to take on this additional commitment and work with start-ups?
“My curiosity, definitely! As a mentor, I can get closer to the innovative solutions that are available on the market today. I find it exciting to understand the challenges faced by start-ups, build bridges and drive progress towards digitalisation.”
“I am motivated by the opportunity to promote new approaches and support founders in turning their visions into reality – while learning from fresh thinking and new approaches.”
“I am convinced that innovation and new approaches from start-ups will drive our international business forward and deepen our customer relationships. And I am certain that working with start-ups offers many advantages for both sides: it enables ERGO to gain fresh perspectives and strengthen cooperation within our group, while start-ups benefit from our international experience and access to our markets.”
“And I am motivated by the prospect of driving innovation and efficiency at ERGO! By working with start-ups, I come into contact with new perspectives and creative problem-solving approaches that challenge established business practices. I really enjoy combining the needs of our large company with the innovative solutions of start-ups – and I am inspired by their dynamism. I am therefore happy to share my expertise to support them on their growth path.”
Which skills from your previous jobs are beneficial to you and the start-ups?
“My career path combines rare perspectives. I started out in annual auditing at KPMG, where I learned how auditors think. Later, I advised KPMG on setting up and integrating management systems, and I grew to love conceptual work. I also worked at a start-up for a year and a half. I know that focusing on the essentials is vital for start-ups. And the great thing is that simple solutions release an energy that is contagious!”
“Experience in various management roles at ERGO, a broad network both inside and outside the company, and expertise in operations, finance, digitalisation and the latest technologies such as GenAI.”
“From my several years of experience in China, I can contribute valuable perspectives on how innovation influences people's everyday lives there and how different the requirements for digital services are in different markets. In addition, I have an IT background that enables me to better understand the technical challenges involved in implementing solutions and to support scale-ups more effectively with potential rollouts.”
“Through my work at local insurance companies, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of the industry and the specific needs of different stakeholders. This experience, combined with my current role overseeing several companies, enables me to offer a strategic perspective on market trends and operational challenges. These skills enable me to identify growth opportunities, foster strategic partnerships and deliver insights that will benefit scaling young companies on their growth trajectory.”
Let's think outside the box for a moment: To what extent would you say that ERGO ScaleHub and your work as mentors are helping ERGO to achieve its strategic goal of becoming ‘the digital leader in our industry in our core markets’?
“To be a digital leader, it is crucial to be aware of the latest innovations and to implement them successfully within the context of a large corporation. Knowledge arises from dialogue between people and forms the basis for successful implementation. This is precisely what ERGO ScaleHub is all about and, in my view, the right way to move closer to our strategic goal.”
“As a mentor, I want to help promote innovative digital solutions that enable us to achieve our strategic goals and further expand our market leadership for the benefit of our customers in the digital transformation.”
“As mentors, we can give start-ups easy access to ERGO's markets. Thanks to our cross-border cooperation mechanisms, we are also able to implement high-quality innovations across national borders. Each of these solutions brings us one step closer to our goal of becoming the digital leader in our industry!”
“I think Alex has answered that question for both of us!” (laughs)
Dear colleagues, thank you very much for this interview!
a digital solution that you would like to integrate into the ERGO universe and scale beyond? Are you looking for collaboration, a tailor-made mentoring programme and network partners on equal footing? Then apply now at scalehub.ergo.com
Your opinion
If you would like to share your opinion on this topic with us, please send us a message to: radar@ergo.de
Further articles