Marcel “Otto” YON

Marcel "Otto" YON is a founding partner of Freedom Fund, a global early-stage def-tech investor.

Otto is one of the pioneers of defence venturing and startup-style disruption within NATO. He served as Special Advisor for Digital Innovation under two German Ministers of Defence and built the innovation and venturing unit of Bundeswehr. He also built defence venturing units in two other countries and advised several armed forces in their disruptive innovation strategy. Otto is also one of the leading experts in cultural transformation in the public sector and agile procurement.

Prior to joining the German ministry of defence, Otto was a serial-entrepreneur and AI-pioneer for 16 years. He built AI-companies in defence and healthcare, which he exited via stock markets at valuations of up to USD 1 Billion. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Otto served as executive director of a research institute in computer vision and advised on international mergers & acquisitions with a global investment bank.

Otto is a cyber and navy officer, currently serving as Head of Task Group Transformation to DEU Chief of Navy.