About
Josef Richard Schneider
"Not elegant — decisive."
Builder-Operator. M&A Advisor. Author. YPO Vice Chair DACH.
"Not elegant — decisive. Act fast, tell the truth, keep people paid."
Professional Profile
DACH-based CEO and transformation partner with over 20 years of experience leading SMEs through growth, restructuring, and M&A processes.
Specialised in the Fit-for-Transaction Method: 24 months of operational preparation (Commercial Engine, Clean Numbers, AI-driven Efficiency) followed by 12 months of M&A process on your own terms.
Author of "AI Meets EQ" and"Fit for Transaction", active YPO member (Vice Chair DACH Chapter).
Career Timeline
Pheraxia GmbH · Kirchberg Capital & Services · Steinbeis M&A
Founder and Managing Director, Pheraxia (since 2026) · Managing Director, Kirchberg Capital & Services (since 2019) · Senior Advisor, Steinbeis M&A
CEO Conen Group
Refinancing of €40M agreed with all lenders
CEO (Member of the Executive Board), Pyramid AG, formerly mic AG
Reverse IPO of Pyramid Computer GmbH into listed mic AG (purchase price €44M), including the investor roadshow and capital increases; acquisition of Faytech AG
Managing Director, Pyramid Computer GmbH
Succession of the founders; preparation and execution of the sale to mic AG
Diethelm Keller Group
Sole Managing Director of EDAK AG and Turmix AG (reorganisation), M&A and business development for the group
Schneider Leichtbau → LKE Group
Asset deal out of insolvency — jobs secured
Credentials & Education
Education
- → Industrial Engineering, TU Karlsruhe
- → International Welding Engineer
- → Certified AI Trainer
- → TÜV Quality Management Auditor
Network & Speaking
- → YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) — Vice Chair DACH
- → TEDxFreiburg Speaker
- → AI Workshops for C-Suite Executives
- → 5 Languages: DE · EN · FR · ES · ZH