PRAEVIOleading with foresight
Operational Leadership · Transformation · Execution

Structures Built for Growth.Solutions That Overcome Crises.

Interim Leadership. Lasting Impact.
- Thorsten Busche

Interim Leadership. Lasting Impact.

I develop operational solutions - for sustainable growth through better structures and processes, for transformations in times of crisis, and for executing strategic goals. Consistent and measurable.

Serving mid-market companies, scale-ups, and PE portfolio companies across the DACH region.

Free Discovery CallView Case Studies
No minimum commitmentRemote & on-siteAvailable immediately
Thorsten Busche — Gründer von PRAEVIO
20+

Years C-Level Experience

2,000+

Employees Directly Managed

100M+

CAD Revenue Scaled

20+

FI Systems Consolidated

DACH RegionCanadaUSASwitzerland · ZugRemote & On-Site
Industries & Experience

Proven across diverse industries.

Operational leadership experience where it counts - from the field, not from textbooks.

Aviation & MRO

Director-Level, Canada

2,000+ employees led, CAD 20→100M+ scaled

Real Estate & PE

Senior Finance Manager, Switzerland

23 entities, 3 countries, PE exit at 4× return

BPO & Shared Services

Multiple roles, Bertelsmann

Outsourcing operations, process automation

Logistics & Supply Chain

Operations Management

End-to-end supply chain transformation

Digitalization & ERP

Cross-industry

SAP rollouts, treasury automation, AI integration

Services

Four Roles. One Goal.

I take on interim leadership responsibility - with full commitment, clear deliverables, and the understanding that a clean handover process is part of the job.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Strategy & Transformation

AI as a Tool. Not a Buzzword.

I identify use cases with real ROI, build pilots, and bring them to production - without the hype, without vendor lock-in. From process automation to RAG architectures for mid-market companies.

  • AI readiness assessment and roadmap
  • Identify use cases with measurable ROI
  • Move pilots to production - pragmatically
Learn more
Operational Leadership

Interim COO

Full Operational Ownership - from Day One.

I step into operational leadership with a full mandate - not in analysis mode. I align processes, teams, and structures for sustainable growth, with a clean handover when the engagement concludes.

  • Build or modernize the operating model
  • P&L ownership and results transparency
  • Establish SLA, KPI, and OKR frameworks
Learn more
Technology Leadership

Fractional CTO & Interim CTO

Technology Strategy. Executed. Not Recommended.

ERP implementations, system consolidation, cloud migration, AI integration: I develop technology strategy and execute it. Available part-time as a Fractional CTO, or full-time as an Interim CTO until a permanent solution is in place.

  • Develop and prioritize the technology roadmap
  • Lead ERP and PMO implementations
  • Tech due diligence for M&A processes
Learn more
Controlling & Ops

Head of Finance & Operations

Finance and Ops Unified - PE-Ready.

When finance and operations are managed in silos, blind spots emerge. I bring both together: operational control and financial backbone - for PE exit preparation or investor conversations that carry real substance.

  • Consolidated reporting across multiple entities
  • Treasury management and CAPEX control
  • PE exit preparation: data room, compliance
Learn more

Not sure which format fits your situation?

Schedule a Free Call
Approach

Structured for results - not for slide decks.

Four phases, clear milestones, measurable outcomes. From diagnosis to handover.

Phase 1

Diagnosis

  • As-is analysis and stakeholder mapping
  • Identify and prioritize pain points
  • Clear action items within 2 weeks
Week 1–2
Phase 2

Architecture

  • Target structure and milestone roadmap
  • Define KPI framework
  • Everything measurable, nothing vague
Week 2–4
Phase 3

Execution

  • Hands-on execution, parallel quick wins
  • Change management and team enablement
  • Regular stakeholder reporting
Month 2–6+
Phase 4

Anchoring

  • Knowledge transfer to internal team
  • Anchor governance structures
  • Clean handover protocol
Final 4 weeks

Not an interim who stays to stay. But one who leaves when the goal is reached.

The Reality

What missing leadership really costs.

€2–5M
Cost of a failed C-level hire
Susan Pike & Partners, Executive Recruitment Study
3–6
Months average time-to-hire for CTO/CIO
Executive Search Industry Standards
76%
Mid-market companies lacking comprehensive tech strategy
Bitkom Digitalization Study
2.8×
Higher M&A success rate with tech due diligence
McKinsey M&A Research
€168K+
Annual tech debt cost per 5-person team
Stripe Developer Coefficient Report
Engagements & Results

From the Field - not from the textbook.

Five engagements. Five transformations. Numbers that speak for themselves.

Interim COO

North America · Fortune 10 Companies · Director Operations

$100M+. Revenue 5×. 2,000+ Employees.

As Director Operations for various global Fortune 10 companies, I built and scaled the North American customer care business over twelve years. Full P&L ownership, locations across Canada, the US, and Mexico - remote and on-site, over 2,000 employees. Governance, efficiency improvements, and best-in-class results. This depth of leadership is exactly what I bring to Interim COO engagements.

  • Full P&L ownership across all managed client relationships
  • Built operating model and SLA/KPI framework across multiple sites and client accounts
  • Grew Return on Sales from 4% to 18% - through governance, process improvement, and scaling
0×

Revenue Growth

0+

Employees Directly Managed

0%

Return on Sales

Head of Finance & Operations

Germany/Switzerland · Family Office Holding · Software & Services · Private Equity

23 Entities. SAP in 90 Days. 4× Exit Delivered.

As Head of Finance & Operations for a diversified holding - 23 entities, real estate development, private equity, Germany and Switzerland - I automated treasury processes, executed a portfolio exit at 4×, and rolled out SAP ByDesign group-wide within 90 days. 5% under budget. This execution speed is what I bring to Finance & Operations mandates.

  • SAP ByDesign across 23 entities in DE and CH - go-live in 3 months, 5% under budget
  • Extensively automated treasury processes - 90% time savings vs. manual processing
  • PE exit preparation: data room, due diligence, compliance
0+

FI Systems Consolidated

0%

Treasury Time Saved

0×

PE Exit Multiple

CEO · Interim COO

Germany · Private Aviation Company

Cost Transparency Established. ~20% Savings Unlocked.

Introduced segmented cost reporting and renegotiated master vendor agreements - creating a foundation for informed negotiations. A regulated environment cannot tolerate undefined accountabilities.

  • Built flight-segment cost reporting from scratch
  • Introduced SLA framework with QBR/MBR performance governance
  • Professionalized outsourcing: compliance, tracking, risk management
0%

Cost Reduction

0%

Vendors with SLA

0%

Clear Accountability

Fractional CTO · AI Strategy

DACH · Mid-Market & Scale-ups · Multiple Engagements

80+ Automations. AI in Production.

AI projects rarely fail because of the model - almost always because of the organization. The difference: prioritizing use cases with real ROI instead of chasing hype.

  • Developed and shipped 80+ automation workflows to production
  • Integrated LLM and RAG architectures into operational processes
  • Change management and team enablement - technology where people actually use it
0+

AI Workflows in Production

0%

Time Saved on Routine Tasks

0

Vendor Lock-in

Interim COO

North America · Fortune 10 Companies · Greenfield

Greenfield. 750+ Employees. World-Class Quality from Day One.

Global Fortune 10 companies. Building new fulfillment operations at new locations and remote - to world-class standards with no room for ramp-up issues.

  • Site build-out and operating model fully deployed on schedule
  • 750+ employees recruited, onboarded, trained, and brought live
  • SLA compliance from the first operational day - client benchmark against competitors
0+

Employees Onboarded

0 mo.

Greenfield to Full Operations

0%+

SLA Met from Month 1

All engagements are anonymized. Details and references available upon request.

References

“Thorsten completely rebuilt our operational infrastructure: ERP rollout in three months, treasury automation with 90% less manual effort, PE exit at 4× return. - He fundamentally changed the company.”

CEO & Owner
Swiss Holding Company (Real Estate Development & PE)
Right for you?

Typical situations of my clients.

Scale-ups

(10–80 employees)

We're growing fast and need operational leadership now - but a full-time C-level is too early.

Established SMEs

(50–500 employees)

We have teams but no strategic oversight. Decisions are made ad-hoc.

PE/VC Portfolio

(Financial investors)

We need an experienced operator to get our portfolio company on track.

In Transformation

(All sizes)

We're in the middle of change - new ERP, AI adoption, reorg - and need someone to drive it.

Sound familiar?

Book a Free Call
Thorsten Busche — Gründer von PRAEVIO
DACH Region · Remote & On-Site
„My work leaves structures, not dependencies.“
0+

Years C-Level

0+

Employees Managed

0+

FI Systems Consolidated

About

Thorsten Busche - Founder of PRAEVIO.

I take on interim leadership responsibility - for mid-market companies, scale-ups, and PE portfolio companies that need to solve operational or technical challenges now, not in six months.

20+ years of C-level experience. Canada: scaled from CAD 20M to 100M+, managed 2,000+ employees. Switzerland: consolidated 20+ FI systems, guided a PE exit at 4× multiple. Not a consultant who writes slides - a leader who delivers.

  • 20+ years of operational and technical C-level leadership experience
  • Mid-market companies, scale-ups, and PE portfolio companies in the DACH region
  • Interim COO, Fractional CTO, Head of Finance & Operations
  • Technically grounded, commercially minded, pragmatically driven
Full Career & Engagements→
The Model

Maximum impact, minimum overhead.

You get

  • C-level expertise from day one
  • Strategic + operational leadership
  • Independent, neutral perspective
  • Flexibly scalable (2–5 days/week)
  • Network of specialists on demand
  • Clean handover - no lock-in

You save

  • CHF 250k+ annual salary + bonus + equity
  • 6–9 months recruiting process
  • Risk of a bad hire
  • Long-term contract commitment
  • Onboarding (3–6 months to productivity)
  • Office, equipment, HR administration

Hire experience - not a headcount.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions.

Everything you want to know about Fractional CTO and Interim COO - before we talk.

Don't see your question?

Let's talk directly - 30 minutes, free, no obligation.

Schedule a Free Call →

A Fractional CTO is an experienced technology leader who works for a company on a part-time or retainer basis - rather than as a full-time hire. The model is ideal for scale-ups and mid-market companies that need CTO-level expertise but are not ready (yet) to bring on a full-time CTO.

An Interim CTO works full-time for a defined period (e.g. 3–12 months) and takes on the complete CTO function. A Fractional CTO works on an ongoing part-time basis (e.g. 2 days per week) and provides strategic involvement without full-time operational presence. Interim is best for acute gaps or major transformations; Fractional for continuous strategic guidance.

Day rates for experienced Fractional CTOs in the DACH market typically range from EUR 1,500 to 3,500 net - depending on experience, industry, and complexity of the role. Retainer models (fixed hours per month) are often more cost-effective than project-based day bookings. A free initial call will clarify which model fits your situation.

The focus is on scale-ups (Series A–C), mid-market companies in growth or transformation phases, and PE portfolio companies in the DACH market (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Core industries: SaaS, e-commerce, FinTech, Industry 4.0.

Typically within 2–4 weeks after the initial call and contract signing. For urgent situations (emergency coverage, acute crisis), a start within one week is possible. The initial call is free and non-binding.

Primarily Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH). Remote component ranges from 40–80% depending on the role. On-site presence is available for board interactions, team leadership, or critical phases. International mandates (EU) on request.

Process

3 Steps to Measurable Results.

No lengthy onboarding. No endless workshops. Operational leadership from Day One.

01

Discovery Call

30 minutes - no commitment. I listen, ask questions, and give honest feedback on your situation.

Meeting confirmed within 24h
02

Engagement Design

Clear scope, agreed objectives, transparent terms. No lengthy onboarding - I get up to speed fast.

Engagement starts in 1–2 weeks
03

Impact from Day One

First quick wins by week 2. Transparent KPIs, weekly updates. And a clean handover process at the end.

Measurable results by week 4

Ready for the Next Step?

Book a free 30-minute call. No commitment - but potentially the turning point for your business.

  • 20+ years of operational C-level leadership experience
  • DACH region, Canada, USA - international engagements
  • Clear assessment of your situation within 30 minutes
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PRAEVIO - a brand of TB Growth Invest GmbH · Zug, Switzerland

“Interim Leadership. Lasting Impact.”

- Thorsten Busche, PRAEVIO
20+

Years C-Level

2,000+

Employees Led

CAD 100M+

Revenue Scaled

20+

FI Systems Consolidated

Free Discovery Call