AutomotiveMastermind

AutomotiveMastermind, based in New York City, is a software firm that helps car dealerships target potential customers. Co-founders Marco Schnabl and Johannes Gnauck, both German expats, came up with the idea while working on the floor of a Mercedes-Benz dealership. They launched the business from a WeWork in 2012; last year, it notched more than $23 million in sales. The company operates on a subscription model, charging clients such as Audi, Honda, and Lexus a monthly fee to access its technology platform. “The industry is going through a tremendous transformation right now,” notes Schnabl, who adds that newcomers such as Elon Musk’s Tesla have upped the ante for existing dealerships. Last year, the company raised $45 million in private equity, as it continues to expand across the country.