The „WE“ is ondeso: Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt has been the new CEO of ondeso since October 2026. Together with CTO Martin Stemplinger, he forms the executive management team. Michael brings more than 20 years of experience in leading and developing software companies. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, whether hiking, road cycling, or working in his own garden. So even outside of work, he’s always on the go.

We can’t wait to learn more about his role at ondeso and the person behind the CEO. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started:

Let’s start with a quick Q&A session:

What does a perfect day look like for you?
My perfect day starts in the summer, when it’s around 30 degrees, at a small hotel right on the beach in Italy — together with my wife. Where exactly? That’s my secret — otherwise I’ll end up running into all of you there. 😉

I start with a leisurely breakfast and the daily newspaper, taking my time. Then I hop on my road bike and ride into the mountainous countryside. I’m back at the beach just in time for lunch. I spend the afternoon swimming and enjoying a good cup of coffee. In the evening, we go out for a nice Italian meal, and to round off the day, we have a glass of wine in a cozy little bar.

In short: sun, sea, exercise, and good food — that’s all it takes.

What’s your favorite kind of music?
I actually enjoy listening to just about everything, except for brass band music. But I also really like the music of the artists I grew up listening to, such as Genesis, Pink Floyd, and AC/DC—I even saw AC/DC live once in Sydney.

End of the workday! What do you do to relax?
I have quite a few hobbies — it’s hardly ever boring. I love spending time with my family and friends, whether we’re having a meal together or going out for the evening. I also love being outdoors: I work in the garden, chop firewood for the winter, play sports, or go hiking.

My classic cars are a special passion of mine. Taking them for a drive is pure relaxation for me. And sometimes I don’t need any of that — I just sit in the sun and enjoy the moment.

Do you have a “secret” talent? If so, will you share it with us?
My secret talent? It’s so secret that I haven’t even discovered it myself yet. In any case, I can’t sing or dance, and no one but me can read my handwriting — some days, not even I can. Maybe that’s exactly what my talent is: writing notes that are guaranteed to remain confidential.

What advice would you really give to EVERYONE?
Always tell the truth and address bad news straight away. Problems don’t get better if you ignore them; in fact, they usually just get worse. The sooner an issue is brought to light, the more time there is to find a solution together.

Now it’s getting serious:

What exactly is your role at ondeso and what does a typical working day look like for you?

Officially, I’m the CEO. Unofficially, I’m the person who ends up handling everything that doesn’t fit anywhere else. My job is to keep track of everything, make decisions, and ensure that we’re making good progress as a team.
I don’t really have a typical workday. I usually start with a plan, but by the time I’ve had my first cup of coffee, the day looks completely different. But that’s exactly what makes it exciting: no two days are alike.

How would your colleagues describe you?

That’s a good question — one that, to be honest, I’d rather ask you. I hope the answer is something like: open, direct, approachable, and with a sense of humor. If you’ve had a different impression so far, please let me know. As you know, bad news doesn’t get any better if you just let it sit.

What did you want to be as a child and how did you end up at ondeso?

As a child, I first wanted to be a train engineer, then a pilot, and later a doctor. As you know, none of that worked out. Instead, I’ve ended up here at ondeso.
A job posting from Everfield that I found online paved the way to ondeso for me. Since I’ve held leadership roles at PE-backed companies on several occasions, it quickly became clear that this could be a good fit. So I submitted my application, and now I’m here.

Thank you very much for your time, Michael!

If you would like to learn more about Michael Schmidt and his work at ondeso, follow him on LinkedIn.