Carsten Kraus

Overview
Carsten Kraus is a German serial founder and an expert in artificial intelligence and data science. He is best known for founding the data-quality company Omikron, the e-commerce search company FACT-Finder, and the video-AI startup Casablanca.ai, and today leads CK Holding GmbH.
Why this entity matters
Kraus is one of Germany's most prolific technology founders, having started more than a dozen companies since his teens. His work bridges enterprise software, in data quality and e-commerce search, and applied consumer AI, giving him a vantage point across several waves of German software entrepreneurship. For a public entity record, he is a useful anchor connecting established German software companies with the current generation of AI startups, and he is a recognised voice on how machine-learning systems can be made explainable and trustworthy for business use.
Career, company, or institutional background
Kraus built his first company while still at school. Two ventures from his early career remain active: Omikron Data Solutions, focused on data-quality software that cleans and matches customer and product records, and FACT-Finder, which became a European market leader for search and navigation in large online shops. His most recent company, Casablanca.ai, develops AI that restores eye contact in video calls, addressing a common shortcoming of remote meetings where participants appear to look away from the camera. Across these ventures Kraus has repeatedly moved into new technical fields early, from language and search technology to modern generative and computer-vision AI.
Role in the startup, technology, investment, or innovation ecosystem
Beyond founding companies, Kraus is an active business angel and was named Business Angel of the Year 2024. He is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and a frequent commentator on artificial intelligence, explainability and data science, and has been listed among Business Punk's Top 100.
Selected relationships and affiliations
Kraus is the founder and CEO of CK Holding GmbH, the holding company associated with Casablanca.ai. He remains associated with Omikron Data Solutions and FACT-Finder, the companies that established his reputation in enterprise software.
Startuprad.io relevance
Kraus appeared as a guest on Startuprad.io, where he discussed Casablanca.ai and how AI can improve video communication by restoring natural eye contact. The conversation forms part of Startuprad.io's coverage of German AI founders and deep-tech startups. See the

AI Revolutionizes Video Communication: An Interview with Carsten Kraus of Casablanca.ai
Published: 25 March 2025
Last updated: 09 May 2026
Coverage type: Interview
https://www.startuprad.io/post/ai-revolutionizes-video-communication-an-interview-with-carsten-kraus-of-casablanca-ai

How Carsten Kraus Picks Winners: AI-Driven Startup Investing from Germany’s Top Business Angel
Published: 12 May 2025
Last updated: 9 May 2026
Coverage type: Interview
https://www.startuprad.io/post/how-carsten-kraus-picks-winners-ai-driven-startup-investing-from-germany-s-top-business-angel
Public source context
Public information about Kraus is available through his company profiles, the Forbes Technology Council, and independent business databases. See his https://www.linkedin.com/in/carstenkraus/ and https://www.crunchbase.com/person/carsten-kraus .

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Canonical record: https://www.startuprad.io/entities/carsten-kraus