Laurent Christen Logo
Laurent Christen Logo

My Business World

As a repeat entrepreneur, my business ventures span a diverse range leveraging Dark Venture and Dark Studio to manage a portfolio of technology-enabled startups and digital-native vertical brands.

In 2014, I founded e2y, an award-winning digital experiences consultancy specializing in SAP Customer Experience (formerly Hybris) and Mirakl. As Chief Executive Officer, I led e2y until and after its acquisition by Dimension Data, now NTT.

Before venturing into entrepreneurship, I held leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies such as Dell, LEGO, and Nikon, where I spearheaded global and European eCommerce and Direct-to-Consumer initiatives.

Entrepreneur

Venture Studio

Marketplace

Venture Studios are transforming the way companies are created, and Dark Studio is at the forefront of this movement. At Dark Studio, we work on projects from the earliest stages of ideation—identifying problems, matching them with large market opportunities, and providing the initial funding needed to achieve product-market fit.

Dark Venture complements this mission by funding innovative, tech-enabled companies with high growth potential. Combining financing with incubation programs led by Dark Studio, Dark Venture invests in Dark Studio’s portfolio companies and serves as an early-stage investor for the next generation of tech start-ups looking to scale.

Dark Studio's partners are seasoned entrepreneurs with expertise in consulting, engineering, product innovation and leadership. We are dedicated to building impactful businesses.

Dark Studio’s portfolio companies include digital-native vertical brands, unified commerce businesses, and category creators focused on solving real-world problems through innovative technology. Together, Dark Studio and Dark Venture are building the future of entrepreneurship.

Portfolio Companies

Dark Studio’s Portfolio Companies are digital native vertical brands, unified commerce companies and category creators that solve real problems using innovative technology.

Active Rock

Active Rock Logo

Designs and engineers innovative socks with the specific needs of a sport in mind, for all types of athletes, regardless of skill level.

Maison du Vélo

Maison du Vélo Logo

Aims at creating physical and digital spaces for cycling enthusiasts. We love to share our passion for cycling and are the go-to place for all cycling needs.

Rebel Skin

Rebel Skin Logo

Rebels against the preconceived idea that aging is something that simply happens to us. We believe that with the right tools everyone has the ability to age beautifully.

Investing

I support innovative entrepreneurs who excel at blending technology and flawless go-to-market execution. The companies I back are high-growth disruptors, redefining industries through exceptional customer experiences and cutting-edge technology. They pioneer new product categories, and as a business angel, I invest in start-ups at their earliest stages, during pre-seed or seed phases.

USEcryption

USEcryption Logo

Creates new opportunities to securely compute and share confidential data with full privacy and security.

myvicto

myvicto Logo

A fully-configurable putter with an innovative curved face that gets the ball rolling more smoothly with less sliding or skidding.

Marpin Labs

Marpin Labs Logo

Unlocks complex machine data to support vehicle and fleet systems.

Investing means believing in entrepreneurs but also taking a risk. Some say 9 out of 10 startups fail. Not all of my investments are successful. Take Roleshare as an example. Its vision was to become the world's leading job share platform but unfortunately had to close in autumn 2023.

Innovation

Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of transforming the future. I focus on leveraging automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to redefine possibilities.

From intelligent agents that streamline everyday tasks to advanced AI-driven systems that personalise and optimise user experiences, my approach embraces cutting-edge technology to create smarter, more efficient solutions. By using AI solutions, businesses are empowered. Individuals achieve more with less effort, driving progress in an increasingly digital world.

Advisory

As an entrepreneur, I understand the dedication and challenges involved in building a new venture. It's about balancing strategy, branding, go-to-market execution, defining the ideal customer profile, driving sales and marketing, onboarding new talent, and navigating the complexities of legal, HR, finance, and technology—all at once.

I'm passionate about helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential, just as my peers have supported me in growing my own start-ups.

I’ve had the privilege of mentoring university students worldwide through the Red Bull Basement programme, guiding them on refining their pitch, business model, and future start-ups. As a mentor, my mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to realize their potential and achieve success.

Advisory services