Jan Akerman
About Jan Akerman
Jan Akerman is a Corporate Innovation Manager specializing in Smart Cities at Plug and Play Tech Center in Sunnyvale, California. He has a background in connecting corporations with startups and has held various roles in business development and program management across Europe and the United States.
Current Role at Plug and Play Tech Center
Jan Akerman serves as the Corporate Innovation Manager focusing on Smart Cities at Plug and Play Tech Center. He has held this position since 2019 in Sunnyvale, California. His role involves fostering connections between major corporations and startups through targeted industry programs. These programs are designed to address specific sectors, including Mobility, IoT, Energy, and Real Estate.
Previous Experience at ABC Accelerator
Jan Akerman worked at ABC Accelerator in various capacities. He initially served as Program Manager for five months from 2016 to 2017 in München und Umgebung, Deutschland. He later transitioned to the role of Head Of Program & Technology Scouting from 2017 to 2018 for one year in the San Francisco Bay Area. In these roles, he focused on connecting startups with corporate partners and scouting for innovative technologies.
Background in Business Development
Jan Akerman has a solid background in business development. He worked as a Business Development Associate at DataLion for eight months from 2015 to 2016 in München und Umgebung, Deutschland. Following this, he served as a Business Development Manager at Creative Dock for five months in 2018 in the Munich Area, Germany. His experience in these roles contributed to his expertise in fostering corporate-startup collaborations.
Education and Academic Credentials
Jan Akerman studied at Universität Passau, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business Administration and Economics. His academic journey spanned four years from 2011 to 2015. This educational background provided him with a foundation in business principles and economic theories, which he applies in his professional roles.
Focus Areas and Expertise
Jan Akerman has a personal focus on several key areas, including Mobility & IoT, Energy & Sustainability, and Real Estate & Construction. His expertise in these sectors informs his work at Plug and Play Tech Center, where he develops programs that connect startups with corporate partners to drive innovation and sustainability in urban environments.