StudioSpace: Building a Marketplace for Corporate Innovation | Ep 195 | DevReady Podcast

In this engaging episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Andrew Romeo speaks with Nikolaus von Pueckler, Head of Product at StudioSpace. Nik brings over a decade of experience in consultancies, agencies, and startups, having worked with leading global brands to design and launch innovative products and services. At StudioSpace, Nik leads the Product team in developing a platform that redefines how large corporates collaborate with independent specialist agencies. He shares insights into his career journey, the evolution of StudioSpace's platform, and the challenges of driving innovation in traditional corporate environments.

Nik delves into the dynamics of corporate innovation, emphasising the need for customer-centric design thinking. He discusses the challenges of fostering a culture of agility and creativity within large organisations, where risk aversion often stifles progress. Nik highlights the importance of isolating teams, embracing rapid prototyping, and using customer feedback to build momentum. His work at StudioSpace aims to overcome these obstacles by connecting corporates with a diverse marketplace of specialist agencies, creating an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration.

Storytelling and visual communication emerge as key themes in Nik’s approach to innovation. He underscores the value of making customer insights tangible through prototypes, videos, and visualisations to align stakeholders and gain their buy-in. Workshops play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and breaking down silos, while direct client involvement in discovery processes ensures a shared understanding and commitment. Nik’s focus on creating engaging narratives helps build excitement and drive results in corporate innovation projects.

Nik also reflects on his career trajectory, from large corporate roles to his current position at StudioSpace. After working at Deloitte Digital, he sought the creative freedom of startups, transitioning to product management roles where he could embrace innovation without the constraints of legacy systems. At StudioSpace, Nik combines his passion for agility and product design to help redefine how corporates and independent agencies work together, creating a streamlined, scalable platform that simplifies procurement and enhances collaboration.

StudioSpace’s platform embodies a disruptive approach to connecting corporates with specialist agencies. Nik shares how the platform evolved from manual processes to a scalable, automated solution that champions independent talent. By addressing the challenges smaller agencies face in corporate procurement and onboarding, StudioSpace simplifies contracts, ensures compliance, and guarantees quality. With over 350 agencies in its marketplace, the platform continues to innovate, leveraging AI and data-driven strategies to enhance matching, brief creation, and project delivery, shaping the future of corporate-agency collaboration.