Executive Overview
Marco Boerries (born 1 August 1968) is a German IT entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of enfore (legally operated as NumberFour AG, based in Berlin). As of 2025, Boerries is internationally recognized for a pioneering and high-profile career in software, with a particular emphasis on productivity tools and business platforms for SMEs.
Professional Background
Career Milestones
- Star Division (1985–1999): Founded at age 16, Star Division produced the StarWriter word processor, evolving into StarOffice, precursor to OpenOffice and LibreOffice. StarOffice sold over 25 million licenses prior to being acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999, a landmark transaction in German tech history.
- Star Finanz (1996–2001): Co-founded this Hamburg-based home banking software provider—creator of StarMoney—in partnership with Deutsche Sparkassen-Organisation. Boerries exited in 2001 after significant growth.
- VerdiSoft (2001–2005): Founder and CEO, developed mobile technology enabling optimized content delivery for mobile devices. VerdiSoft and its Yahoo! Go platform were acquired by Yahoo in 2005, where Boerries became EVP, Connected Life (2005–2009).
- enfore / NumberFour AG (2009–2024): Founded with a mission to build a cloud-based open platform (PaaS) targeting small businesses—integrating hardware (e.g., PoS terminals), software, and online services. Enfore promised comprehensive solutions for sectors such as hospitality, retail, and services, billing itself as an “Apple for enterprise software.”
Senior Management Roles
- CEO/Founder: Star Division, VerdiSoft, enfore/NumberFour AG
- VP, Webtop & Application Software: Sun Microsystems (post-acquisition Star Division)
- EVP, Connected Life: Yahoo! (2005–2009)
Education
- Gymnasium Oedeme (1982–1985), Lüneburg, Germany
Location
- Headquarters: Berlin, Germany
- Personal Location: Los Altos, CA, United States (former; moved to Berlin/Hamburg post-2008)
enfore Company Profile
Business Model and Product Scope
- Sector: Enterprise Software, Payments, Business Services
- Core Offering: A modular, cross-device platform supplying point-of-sale, inventory management, online reservation, and order processing functionalities, targeting the needs of small business owners.
- Target Audience: SMEs—restaurants, wine shops, boutiques, etc.
- Employees: ~59 (2024 data); previously cited range: 51–200
Financial & Operational Highlights
- Total Funds Raised: $38 million (circa 2013, from prominent investors including Lars Hinrichs, Andreas von Bechtolsheim, Klaus Hommels, and Jerry Yang)
- Cumulative R&D/Development Outlay: €80 million invested in hardware and software
- Revenue (2024): $3.6 million
- Duration: Active development and operations over 16 years (2009–2024)
Recent Developments and Critical Issues
- Insolvency Proceedings: In September 2024, insolvency was filed for NumberFour AG/enfore. Berlin authorities have commenced investigations into alleged insolvency delays (“Insolvenzverschleppung”) by Boerries. Björn Gehde was appointed provisional insolvency administrator.
- Operational impact: Multiple reports (Manager Magazin, Business Insider) indicate that employees were unpaid for months in 2024; significant layoffs preceded formal insolvency. Complaints of outstanding payments to external vendors and legal disputes date back to 2023. Sales teams in several European markets were established, but allegedly lacked market-ready products.
- Leadership and Governance:
- Boerries was reported as increasingly absent during the company’s financial distress; portions of the staff could not reach him.
- Management style described as centralized, with most decisions routed directly via Boerries—sometimes even down to manual payroll processing.
- Market Penetration: Despite high initial expectations, enfore achieved only limited commercial deployment, securing test installations in select partner locations (notably Fressnapf Group), rather than mass-market rollout.
- Board Engagements: Boerries previously held a seat on the Fressnapf Group supervisory board.
Professional Reputation and Track Record
- Recurrent Entrepreneur: Boerries has demonstrated a consistent ability to found, grow, and exit technology companies, with a particular strength in productivity and business process software for both consumers and SMEs. Three prior ventures (Star Division, Star Finanz, VerdiSoft) all resulted in successful sales to technology majors.
- Innovation Focus: Seen as a “tech pioneer” in the German and European software space, particularly for platform and productivity innovations.
- Risk Tolerance: History indicates a willingness to invest heavily and pursue ambitious, highly integrated solutions.
- Current Challenges: Recent operational and financial setbacks at enfore, including accusations of leadership dysfunction and insolvency mismanagement, may affect Boerries’ credibility and influence with both partners and future investors.
Key Takeaways for Engagement
- Extensive C-Level Experience: Deep domain expertise in enterprise, SME, and productivity software, both in Europe and Silicon Valley.
- Global Network: Ties to high-profile investors and executives (e.g., Yahoo, Sun Microsystems, prominent EU and US technology circles).
- Current Priorities: Potential focus on resolving ongoing legal, financial, and reputational issues stemming from enfore’s insolvency.
- Strategic Direction: Historical preference for building holistic platforms, targeting large addressable markets (e.g., “200 million small businesses”) via innovative, all-in-one software and hardware suites.
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoboerries](http://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoboerries)
Wikipedia: [Marco Börries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_B%C3%B6rries)
Location: Berlin, Germany
Note: For high-level B2B interactions, Marco Boerries’ legacy, entrepreneurial achievements, and network influence are significant assets, though current circumstances at enfore introduce substantial risk and may alter his immediate focus or strategic priorities.
