About my story. This is Ben.

“Innovation thrives where curiosity and courage meet.”

Hey, my name is Benjamin Talin. I am originally from the Kitzbühel Region in Austria and most of the time I am just “Ben”. 

My journey into entrepreneurship started early. I ventured into my first business at the age of 13, focusing on computers, marketing and “using technology to make something smarter or better”. This wasn’t a conscious move towards entrepreneurship, but rather an expression of my curiosity and a challenge to the status quo – plus it was a welcome opportunity to get more pocket money.

During my youth, I did over a dozen internships in various industries, gaining a broad perspective and entrepreneurial skills. I started several businesses during this time, experiencing both successes and catastrophic failures – but ultimately each experience enriched my skills and understanding.

All the numerous mentors and influential individuals I have met along the way have profoundly shaped my understanding in many ways. Their bold truths and ways of thinking were hard, and I was foolish and naïve in many ways. But ultimately, I learned the importance of following my passions despite skepticism or criticism. This drive to change things for the better has always been my driving force.

With all the initial steps, I was able to rise to global prominence in various areas. From digital transformation, change management, economic development to innovation and platforms. My commitment to sharing successes and my work on publishing methods and sharing knowledge soon led to an increase in publications and recognition. Companies such as Google and Allianz began to request my expertise, which at the time, in my early 20s, was a testament to my growing reputation. This recognition was not limited to the corporate world; soon I was also advising governments, ministries and economic development initiatives.

My focus was on using technology to transform industries and support businesses at scale. I was involved in strategic discussions on the use of scalable technologies to drive business and transform industries. This time was instrumental in shaping my view of systemic change and the strategic use of technology for the greater good.

This phase of my career was more than just a series of professional successes; it was a time of intense learning and growth with many challenges along the way. The lessons learned from these experiences laid the foundation for a project as ambitious as MoreThanDigital. My understanding of systems change combined with a strategic approach to deploying scalable technologies has helped me conceptualize and realize MoreThanDigital and tackle global issues at scale.

My growing global recognition and a shifting interest in systematic change management, economic development, education and how to impact business at scale led me to recognize significant inefficiencies in the marketplace. Particularly in the area of digital transformation, I noticed an overwhelming amount of marketing bluster, a lack of simple explanations and a tendency to prioritize selling over real help.

This realization was the catalyst for founding MoreThanDigital. The experiences I’ve had over the years – the trials, the failures and the lessons I’ve learned – formed a solid foundation to make MoreThanDigital a resounding success. Today, we can say that MoreThanDigital has risen to become one of the largest business platforms in the world, helping millions of people around the world with a completely new way of using technology at scale.

Despite the challenges, I have always stayed focused on my goal – to facilitate access to world-changing technology. This motivation drove me to overcome the challenges of the early years and make MoreThanDigital the influential platform it is today, with a very strong vision around #bethechange.

With all the initial steps, I was able to rise to global prominence in various areas. From digital transformation, change management, economic development to innovation and platforms. My commitment to sharing successes and my work on publishing methods and sharing knowledge soon led to an increase in publications and recognition. Companies such as Google and Allianz began to request my expertise, which at the time, in my early 20s, was a testament to my growing reputation. This recognition was not limited to the corporate world; soon I was also advising governments, ministries and economic development initiatives.

My focus was on using technology to transform industries and support businesses at scale. I was involved in strategic discussions on the use of scalable technologies to drive business and transform industries. This time was instrumental in shaping my view of systemic change and the strategic use of technology for the greater good.

This phase of my career was more than just a series of professional successes; it was a time of intense learning and growth with many challenges along the way. The lessons learned from these experiences laid the foundation for a project as ambitious as MoreThanDigital. My understanding of systems change combined with a strategic approach to deploying scalable technologies has helped me conceptualize and realize MoreThanDigital and tackle global issues at scale.

Early success brought scrutiny and cynicism. Critics often questioned my expertise due to my unconventional background, because I was young or also not wealthy. Facing these challenges, I learned to focus on my vision rather than detractors and focused on my way of doing things differently.

Failures and obstacles have been as prevalent in my journey as successes. With time I learned to view setbacks as valuable lessons, each teaching resilience and spurring improvement. Financial struggles and business failures tested my resolve but never broke my spirit – for me there is only one way forward: the logically right way.

Today, I approach entrepreneurship with calm determination, drawing strength from mentors and advisors. These experiences have only strengthened my commitment to my path but also enabled where I am and I am happy to share my insights with the world in any form possible.

Throughout my career, I have been honored with various recognitions and awards that acknowledge the impact of my contributions to digital innovation and transformation. I am particularly pleased to have been named in prestigious lists such as “Leaders of Tomorrow” by the St. Gallen Symposium and “The 10 Most Visionary Business Leaders of 2022” by Fortunes Crown. These awards not only highlight my personal achievements, but also the impact of my work around the world.

My insights and experiences have also been published in over 100 international media outlets, allowing me to contribute to the global discussion on technology and entrepreneurship. Collaboration with prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business Review, MIT Tech Review and EU Commissions is a testament to the relevance of my efforts in shaping the future of digital education and transformation.

These awards fill me with pride, but also remind me of the responsibility I have. They motivate me to continue innovating, challenging norms and making meaningful contributions to the world of technology and digital advancement.