CEO Mastermind: DACH Global
A small, confidential circle of owners and managing directors from Germany, Austria and Switzerland meets in Dubai or Tyrol to scale faster, enter markets strategically and experience business exchange at the highest level.
Why international growth stalls for most companies
of German mid-sized companies are active abroad at all
Source: KfW Research: Mittelständler richten Auslandsgeschäft neu aus, 2026
of mid-sized companies active abroad have opened up new export markets in the last 5 years
Source: KfW Research: Mittelständler richten Auslandsgeschäft neu aus, 2026
perceive growing trade barriers, up from 58% in 2025
Source: DIHK: Going International 2026
of mid-sized companies continuously pursue their own strategic development/R&D
Source: KfW Research: Innovationen im Mittelstand 2026
We know the feeling of sitting in a mastermind that promises a lot and in the end delivers mainly one thing: pleasant conversations without a real next step. That is why we built our own.
What changes
The Mastermind does not replace an entrepreneurial decision. It shortens the road to it and makes it more reliable.
Today
Market decision
Gut decision behind closed doors
Network in the target market
hardly any reliable contacts on site
Sparring partners
loneliness at the top
Growth plan
vague coffee chats, no deadline
Cultural terrain
learning by doing, costly mistakes
With the Mastermind
Market decision
tested options, discussed with a circle that has been through it themselves
Network in the target market
genuine local contacts through hosts and experts
Sparring partners
a circle of owners on equal terms, your own hot seat
Growth plan
concrete 90-day growth plan plus individual checklist
Cultural terrain
cross-cultural playbook from first-hand experience
Three locations, one circle
Each edition can be booked on its own, with the same standard and the same depth. Only the target market and the setting differ.
BookableGCC · United Arab Emirates
Your gateway to the GCC economic boom: 5 intensive days in the fastest-growing market in the region, including a set-up service for your free zone company, high-calibre speakers with many years of UAE experience and a kick-off networking evening on a yacht.
In planningClose to DACH · Alpine region
Strategic clarity, far from day-to-day business: just a few hours' drive from home and yet completely removed from everyday life. An Alpine retreat for your company's big strategic questions.
The ivato standard
A small, confidential group instead of an anonymous conference. Every voice counts, every topic gets room.
Each participant brings a specific topic and receives the full attention of the whole circle.
No guests on Zoom, but people with many years of market experience in the respective location.
90-day growth plan, individual checklist, cross-cultural playbook: to take home, not to forget.
No upsells from the stage, no hidden extra costs. What is included is fixed in advance.
From €5,500 per person. Depending on the country (Germany or Austria), parts of the consulting and travel expenses can be funded as entry into foreign markets with up to €10,000, in some cases several times depending on the destination. Ask us.
Tyrol
We will announce the dates for Tyrol after the Dubai edition has started. Entrepreneurs who have registered their interest hear first and get priority for one of the maximum of 10 places.
Impressions from Dubai
Who it is for
who are serious about positioning their company internationally, with a plan rather than an idea.
who are assessing a specific new market option and are looking for a structured, fast route.
who are making a fresh start and want to realign their company, with a fresh outside view.
who are looking for genuine strategic exchange outside their own organisation.
Lana & Matthias SchneiderHosts of the ivato CEO Mastermind
Your hosts
Lana & Matthias Schneider have been accompanying entrepreneurs through international growth for over 25 years. They know owners' questions from their own daily experience and built the Mastermind the way they always wished they had found one: on equal terms, without a sales event, with real contacts and a plan that carries on after five days.
Before we talk
Your question is not here? In the initial conversation we take 30 minutes for your specific topic.
Two editions a year are planned, one per location (Dubai and Tyrol). Dubai is currently the first edition available to book, Tyrol will follow.
No. Each edition can be booked on its own and is self-contained. You choose the location that suits your current topic.
From €5,500 per person and edition, plus flights and accommodation (with recommendations and discounts). Depending on the country (Germany or Austria), parts of the consulting and the travel expenses can be funded as entry into foreign markets with up to €10,000, in some cases several times depending on the destination. Simply tick this in the enquiry.
The Mastermind is aimed at entrepreneurs and managing directors with their own entrepreneurial responsibility. For pure consultants or service providers without their own company, we assess individual cases on request.
Yes. Many participants come for market knowledge, the change of perspective and the network, even without an entry into a market already planned.
The dates will be announced after the Dubai edition has started. You can already register your interest without obligation.
Enquire about the Mastermind
5 days of Dubai Mastermind for entrepreneurs. Tell us briefly about yourself and your biggest current challenge. We will get in touch and clarify whether and which edition suits you.
Lana & Matthias Schneider
Hosts of the ivato CEO Mastermind