Actually, 2020 should have been a year of many different celebrations. Because it was the anniversary year of the Hamburg software professionals at novomind: the company's 20th birthday. Corona has changed everything. Fewer celebrations, but many new experiences. But it's still an anniversary - looking back on 20 years of novomind is like taking a journey from the online gold rush of 2000 to the global lockdown of 2020.
Peter Samuelsen is an islander. "A real boy from the coast", as he likes to say himself. Born on the North Frisian island of Pellworm, he brings with him a mixture of down-to-earthness and determination - the "just do it" mentality. Being courageous, being creative, trying things out. To this day, "just do it" is part of novomind's DNA. And Peter Samuelsen is one of the pioneers in Germany when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent commerce and customer service software.
Cast off into heavy seas
Peter Samuelsen founded novomind AG in 2000. It was the year when the "new market" had reached its peak and then collapsed. In Germany, there was an online gold rush until March - then the Internet bubble burst, the Nemax (Neuer Markt Index) crashed and the gold rush was followed by the big hangover. On 1 March, novomind launched in the middle of this time of upheaval. "We had that total start-up feeling and wanted nothing less than to conquer the whole world with our intelligent software solutions," Samuelsen recalls today. Companies like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Netflix didn't exist yet. Nor were there smartphones. "The big ideas and platforms were still in the heads of visionaries, strategists and developers. With their breakthrough, true global networking began. And we were right in the middle of it." It was during this phase that novomind's DNA was completed: artificial intelligence combined with creative developer spirit and a "just do it" mentality. And everything made in Hamburg.
It's the crew that counts - and the course
As an owner-managed company, novomind has always set its own course. In increasingly large waters and surrounded by numerous tall ships, super tankers and many a shark, Peter Samuelsen and his crew have proven themselves to be fast, agile and flexible over the past few years. An important unique selling point in an increasingly globalised market, where investors and banks are setting the pace in many places. At novomind in Hamburg, they tick differently: for two years now, the company's shares have been distributed exclusively within the company - previously external shares were bought back and distributed among the board, management and staff. The board has been expanded, competencies and responsibilities have been distributed across many shoulders and the focus has been broadened - just do it. Founder and CEO Peter Samuelsen sees it with pleasure: "We have always set ourselves big goals. Besides know-how, team spirit has always been one of our strengths. And that is now also reflected in a broad management team."
