Lars Behrendt

Lars Behrendt is a German entrepreneur and engineer recognized for his expertise in practical innovation and business transformation. He founded Granny&Smith, one of Germany's first innovation agencies, which began as a creative engineering office. Drawing on extensive experience as CEO of Granny&Smith Innovationslabs, Behrendt and his team have supported more than 50 startups and developed innovations for DAX corporations and Fortune 500 companies.

Behrendt's career includes a significant shift in approach after investing heavily in his company's innovation culture and reassessing established processes. This led to the development of a new methodology for innovation, with the company becoming known for its Innoweek method, which accelerates the development, testing, and market launch of new business ideas. Behrendt has led more than 700 innovation projects and over 50 venture builds for international organizations.

He has contributed to the transformation processes of companies such as IBM, Telekom, BMW, Volkswagen, Airbus, Daimler, Schaeffler, and BLG. Beyond consulting, Behrendt invests in startups, products, and patents, applying proprietary frameworks and a hands-on methodology focused on measurable results in innovation management and entrepreneurship.

Behrendt is the author of "Get. Real. Innovation.," which shares his experiences and practical insights into innovation development and mindset. He has spoken at technology conferences including TEDx, IFA, CES, and CEBIT, and has addressed audiences at Federal Ministries. His lectures on innovation methodology have been delivered at Jacobs University Bremen, University of Applied Sciences HAW Hamburg, University of Oldenburg, and Jade University. In his presentations, Behrendt uses concrete examples to demonstrate how organizations can foster innovation, capitalize on growth opportunities, and drive industry change. With a growing presence on LinkedIn and a reputation for delivering real-world results, Behrendt challenges organizations to move beyond superficial innovation efforts and embrace lasting transformation.