Mentor at SKU
Location: Austin, Texas, United States
Mathias Ihlenfeld is a founder, mentor, and impact-driven executive whose life and leadership are grounded in purpose, growth, and generosity.
After a career that began in global consulting and ERP systems, Mathias found his calling not in spreadsheets, but in meaning. As the founder and longtime CEO of woom bikes USA, he scaled a simple idea—better bikes for kids—into one of the most celebrated direct-to-consumer brands in North America, earning multiple Inc. 5000 honors, customer service awards, and design accolades. But numbers only tell part of the story.
Mathias leads with heart. He builds companies and communities with the same care he brings to fatherhood, friendships, and mentorship. Whether serving as a coach to early-stage founders at SKU, advising mission-driven brands, or sitting on the advisory board of Texas 4000 for Cancer, his focus remains steady: empower people to live, lead, and love more fully.
He’s been honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and a Vistage Impact Award winner—but perhaps his greatest achievement is the intentional life he’s creating: rich in trust, full of adventure, and rooted in values that outlast any title.
Today, Mathias helps others grow into their best selves—through leadership, through story, and through the quiet strength of showing up with integrity, every day.
Top Skills
- Mentorship
- Coaching
- Leadership
- SAP Systems Expertise
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Business Process Improvement
- Operational Efficiency
- Business Analysis
- Entrepreneurship
Recent or Notable Roles
- Mentor – SKU
- Advisory Board Member – Texas 4000 for Cancer
- Managing Director North America – woom
- Chief Executive Officer – woom
- Global Chief Customer Officer – woom
- CEO & Owner – woom USA
- Official Member – Austin Business Journal Leadership Trust
- SAP Consultant – Ihlenfeld Consulting LLC
- Managing Consultant – IBM Global Business Services
Expertise
- Purpose-driven brand building
- Direct-to-consumer growth strategy
- Strategic leadership & executive management
- Business process optimization
- SAP financial systems (FI/CO)
- Entrepreneurship & startup scaling
- Mentorship & leadership development
- Global e-commerce & customer experience
- Manufacturing & supply chain integration
- Community engagement & impact strategy
Education
He holds an MBA in Strategic Analysis from the University of Alabama and studied internationally at institutions including TBS Education, University of Liège, Saint Petersburg Institute of Economics and Management, Hong Kong Baptist University, and the University of Louisiana Monroe.
Accomplishments
- E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist (2023) – Recognized for leadership and business impact in the Gulf South region.
- Vistage Impact Award Winner (2022) – Honored for steering Woom bikes through pandemic challenges while maintaining strong growth and community focus.
- #9 Customer Service Award (2020) – Named by HelpScout for exceptional customer experience at woom bikes USA.
- Inc. 5000 Ranking (2019) – Ranked #259 overall and #7 in Austin among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
- ACG Growth Award Winner (2019) – Celebrated by the Association for Corporate Growth in the $5–10M category.
- ACG Growth Award Finalist (2018) – Recognized for sustained growth and financial performance in Central Texas.
Interviews
- Vistage – A Life of Climb Podcast (March 2023)
- Thom Singer’s Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do Podcast
- From Selling Bikes in His Garage to Inc. 5000 List
- Employer Spotlight: Woom Bikes
Interests
- Mentorship and leadership development
- Community and impact initiatives
- Wellness and holistic living
- Travel and cultural exploration
- Family, fatherhood, and deep relationships
- Storytelling and meaningful conversation
- Cycling and outdoor adventure
