Buzzy 3D-printed footwear tech company Zellerfeld is adding to its management team as it continues to grow.
The Germany-based company has hired Michael Krause as its new chief platform officer.
In his new role, Zellerfeld said that Krause will lead the company’s digital platform, responsible for cultivating a vibrant community of designers and brands who aim to bring their footwear ideas to life. In addition, he will also oversee Zellerfeld’s e-commerce operations with the goal of driving growth and brand awareness in the expanding 3D-printed shoe market.
Cornelius Schmitt, founder and chief executive officer of Zellerfeld, said in a statement that he is “delighted” to welcome Krause to lead the company’s platform business. “I’ve long admired Spotify’s approach to balancing the needs of artists while creating a seamless customer experience, and I’m confident that with Michael’s expertise, we will achieve our vision of putting 3D-printed shoes on every foot,” Schmitt said.
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Krause joins the company from Spotify, where he spent the last seven years. He most recently served as general manager of the company’s European and UK divisions overseeing all local creator relations, editorial and marketing operations.
“I was inspired by Cornelius’ vision to disrupt the shoe market and launch a transformative technology that will change how shoes are produced and consumed,” Krause added. “The focus on customer experience and sustainability were decisive factors for me, and I’m thrilled to help Zellerfeld bring this vision to reality.”
Zellerfeld’s new hire comes just months after the company announced its plans for the future. In June, the Hamburg, Germany-based company announced it has moved its platform out of beta and is now ready to fully launch what it’s calling the “YouTube of Shoes,” where nearly anyone can upload a design on Zellerfeld’s platform and get their shoes produced.
Through this new program Schmitt emphasized that designers and brands are now able to rapidly bring new concepts to market, while consumers can access a diverse, ever-expanding range of footwear. The CEO noted that for the platform aims to “demolish traditional financial and logistical barriers” when creating footwear, allowing real-time experimentation and product refinement.
