Welcome to Berlin Business Institute
BBI was founded on a simple but powerful mission: to make education accessible for anyone eager to grow—whether professionally, personally, or as an entrepreneur. We empower individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams, specializing in offering low-barrier courses in business and language skills, assisting founders and freelancers through the start-up process, and accompanying expats on their way to permanent residency in Germany.
Start by choosing a profile that fits with your situation under “I am…” to learn how BBI can support you on your journey, or explore the Transition Toolkit to find the help that’s right for you.
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Megan Kramer
Founder of BBI
Megan came to Germany from the United States and first gained German residency as a freelance English teacher. She has been self-employed variously as a teacher, translator, editor and coach for more than 20 years, and is the founder of Berlin Business Institute and The Space Coworking. With degrees in German studies, education, and theology, she lectures on German and church history, while also supporting students and professionals through BBI’s innovative educational initiatives.
Her career spans classroom teaching, curriculum design, and academic mentoring across schools, universities, and religious institutions. As a working mother and advocate for women entrepreneurs, she is committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower individuals and communities. Through the Berlin Business Institute , Megan brings together her academic expertise and practical teaching experience to advance education, dialogue, and professional development.
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Sweta Baruah
Founder’s Associate
Moving from India to Berlin, I’ve picked up a few things—not just languages (hello from an English, Hindi, Assamese, and learning-German speaker), but actually a genuine sense of what it feels like to be an expat in Germany. I’ve experienced how difficult it is to find your footing here, particularly when “being too qualified” or the exact opposite – “not qualified enough”, is the sole barrier between you and your next big thing.
That’s what I bring with myself to Berlin Business Institute: getting people ready to get past the old barriers and actually start their own businesses, even without some “fancy Nancy” degree. My experience in banking, technology, journalism and teaching in startups allows me to focus on what’s important—arming people with real, hands-on tools to create something for themselves – have absolute power over when and how they work! Ergo, my mission is to help fellow expats, parents, and anyone stuck in the “not-hirable” loop turn ideas into real businesses—and make learning skills way more affordable and hands-on than it usually is.
When I’m not brainstorming strategy, cracking marketing puzzles, or reading the latest ‘whodunit’ novel, you’ll find me singing, playing sports, or meeting fellow dreamers over good coffee.
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Co-founder, AI educator
AI Educator & Corporate Trainer, 3x published author, speaker, AI Expert, startup mentor, all with 15 years in the field creating high impact solutions, working with the best leaders in the industry.
With a passion for teaching, I have been teaching professionally for 10+ years. I have delivered corporate training for Fortune 500 and DAX clients on various ML/AI topics and I am a visiting faculty with top B-schools. I am an advisor to GenAI startups, keeping me up to date on what the future builders are up to. I have been listed in Top 100 AI leaders to follow.
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Michelle Wiström and Khatia Nodia
Michelle Wiström is a communications strategist from Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in brand positioning, PR, and driving business growth through cultural relevance. With a background in both agency and in-house leadership, she merges creative thinking with strategic precision.
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Noa Leibu
Noa holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology (with honors) and an MA in Organizational Sociology with a specialization in Organizational Counseling. She is also a certified group facilitator and coach who has helped countless clients around the globe pursue meaningful and fulfilling careers.
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Sebastian Müller
Gründungsberatung | Finanzierungs- und Fördermittelberatung
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Leonora Sartori
Creator of The Flow Shift™ Workshop, a contemporary dancer since age 5, and perpetual book-writer. Currently splitting her time between Berlin and Italy, balancing creative business mentoring with teenage parenting, Leonora helps creative entrepreneurs rediscover their enthusiasm and build a business that feels natural, not forced. After 20 years leading international magazines, she knows that our best decisions come when we’re aligned with our inner compass. She supports established creative leaders who want their next evolution to feel energizing, not draining, combining business mentoring with embodiment practices and positive psychology (because sometimes our body knows the answer before our mind does).
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Alba Trigueros
Alba is a Spanish artist, designer, and creative guide based in Berlin. With a background in Creative Arts and Design Research, and a Master’s from the Bauhaus Dessau, she blends artistic practice with deep personal insight. Her journey—from working in the design industry to becoming a certified Expressive Arts Facilitator—has shaped a soul-led, intuitive approach to creativity.
Through 1:1 coaching and group workshops in English or Spanish, Alba supports those seeking to unlock inspiration, move through creative blocks or burnout, and bring more meaning and authenticity into their lives or careers.
She also combines mindful and meditative art exercises with her expertise in branding, visual design and social media to help you build a business or creative path that is sustainable, aligned, and truly inspired by who you are.
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Sharique Javaid
Sharique holds degrees in electrical engineering, IT/Telecom and Computer Science. After over a decade in Munich working in software development, testing, and system engineering, he ran his own tech startup full time: Deepvertise UG, an AI automation and software services company.
He has founded multiple nonprofits and platforms and manages some of the largest community networks on Facebook and WhatsApp for expats in Germany.
With “Sharique Javaid Coaching,” he has combined his corporate, startup, and community experience to help expat tech professionals like you launch successful freelance or company ventures in Germany.
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Lorri Hofer
As a business innovation coach, Lorri supports freelancers and entrepreneurs in building their dreams—one prototype at a time. Her approach blends design thinking, rapid experimentation, and deep listening to help people move from idea to action with confidence and clarity.
Lorri holds a Master’s degree in Design Strategy & Innovation and a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. She’s a trained artist/dancer and a LEGO® Serious Play facilitator. She is currently completing her certification in Expressive Arts Coaching.
Lorri has worked with global giants and startups alike, including: Meta, HelloFresh, OLX Group, P&G, Midge Medical, Kerrygold Ornua, Merck, and the Philadelphia Ballet.
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Yvonne Bäldle-Agboton and Verena Metzler
Yve is a Business Visionary and Creative Director. She doesn’t think big, she thinks huge – her average rate is at least three major business ideas per week. She is also a trained ICF Coach and the Head Coach & Trainer of FrauFuture with more certificates and testimonials than we have walls.
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Payam Alijani
Payam Alijani is a Berlin-based media expert with a background in cinema and media management. He has worked across media strategy, content development, and production for digital and institutional platforms. His professional practice includes cinematography and field sound recording. He combines theoretical knowledge with technical skills to support diverse media projects.
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Payam Alijani
Founder Coach for International Professionals in Germany | ICF-Certified Coach (PCC) | Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator
Natia Mikhanashvili is an ICF-certified coach (PCC) with over 15 years of experience in HR leadership, business coaching, and personal development. She helps international professionals in Germany turn their expertise into purpose-driven businesses and take confident steps into self-employment.
Her Founder Coaching program can be funded through an AVGS voucher from the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit. As a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, she also leads interactive team workshops that build clarity, connection, and alignment. Her approach blends strategy, creativity, and deep coaching to unlock meaningful impact—for individuals, teams, and communities.
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