karlawithakey

Jumping in when clarity, speed and results are essential

Work

Freelance Product Partner

As a Freelance Product Partner, I step in when you need momentum, structure, and traction — but not another layer of complexity. I work side by side with founders to shape strategy, focus execution, and move fast without breaking everything.I partner with startup CEOs and CTOs to turn product chaos into clarity — and early ideas into products that win both users and investors, so these founders can build the companies they're proud of.Most early-stage founders are juggling it all: shaping vision, managing teams, talking to investors, pushing shipping goals — often without anyone who truly owns product. That’s where I come in.With over a decade in the startup world, a stint in the VC industry and 7+ years in Product, I’ve helped early-stage teams go from zero to MVP, refine product-market fit, and make their products fundable — not by adding “process,” but by aligning what you build with what users and investors actually care about.

AI Automation Specialist

AI has come to stay and businesses need to rethink where they really generate their value-add. From automating time-consuming manual tasks to training CustomGPTs and building agents to make your organization leaner, as an AI Automation Specialist I'm here to help you.A thorough assessment of your needs and the expected outcome plus closely working together with your staff during implementation are essential to positively integrate AI into your daily operations.

Tech Startup Advisor & Mentor

As a Tech Startup Advisor & Mentor, I regularly use my knowledge and experience to support overlooked tech founders with their most pressing issues.
In the past, I was asked to join: Up2B Accelerator, Grace Accelerator, REAKTOR.BERLIN, SIBB Deep Tech Accelerator, HPI School of Entrepreneurship.

Let me know when you're navigating product chaos, need AI & automation in your business or a speaker for your event:

About

Technology should serve humanity - enabling us to focus on what truly makes us human: curiosity, community, and consciousness.

With her entrepreneurial spirit, Karla founded and supports several initiatives that change the ratio, meaning they get more women and minorities into tech, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Karla is a passionate community builder and also keen on continuously acquiring new knowledge, growing professionally and personally. She is an adept speaker and enjoys interacting with audiences at conferences, meetups and panels, both nationally and internationally. Check her speaker profile.

Awards

FEMALE FINANCE AWARD - FOCUS MONEY

In July 2023, Karla Schönicke and Svenja Lassen received the Female Finance Award by FOCUS Money magazine in the category startup for building the first female business angel academy in the DACH region - the #FINacademy.

FTA felicitas Award 2023

by Femtec.Alumnae e.V. Women* CTO Community - Connecting and promoting high-ranking #womenintech

Winner Xathon

In November 2020, Henkel organized the 2nd female entrepreneurship hackathon together with Global Digital Women. After three intense days of ideating and building, and a tough pitch selection process, the jury announced me as the winner of the XATHON 2020.

RAHM Contest 2018 - TOP10 Finalist

100 attendees, LGBTQIA+, Berlin, ESCP Campus

Media

As a trailblazer and role model, Karla has published think pieces, given a number of interviews, and received several awards. For media inquiries please use the existing social media channels linked on this page.