Nicole Mauthe
CEO/ Founder, NMI ENGINEERING.In a world where innovation reigns supreme and challenges are as diverse as they are complex, enter the unsung heroes of progress – companies like NMI Engineering. Picture this: a global stage where businesses, both colossal and mid-sized, grapple with the intricacies of modern challenges. That’s where NMI Engineering steps in, a beacon of solutions navigating the labyrinth of international ventures since 2006.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and industry, the demand for expert guidance has never been more pressing. NMI Engineering, with its stellar team of over 500 specialists, emerges as the troubleshooter extraordinaire. Whether it’s a brief stint in management support or a deep dive into collaborative development and research projects, they are the architects of innovation, the behind-the-scenes maestros ensuring businesses thrive in the face of adversity.
And at the helm of this dynamic enterprise is Nicole Mauthe, the visionary CEO and Founder of NMI Engineering. A trailblazer with a knack for turning challenges into triumphs, Nicole is not just leading her company; she’s defining the narrative of influential leadership in the 21st century. Her strategic acumen and unyielding dedication have positioned her as one of the most influential women leaders to watch in 2023.
A Journey of Resilience, Innovation, and Global Impact
Nicole Mauthe was born in November 1978 in a small village in Bavaria, Germany, as the daughter of a carpenter and a technical draughtswoman. Initially, she attended secondary school with a focus on technical drawings before graduating from high school with a degree in design. Following her apprenticeship as a retail clerk, Nicole pursued a degree in industrial engineering from 1999 to 2003 at the University of Applied Sciences in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, becoming the first woman to graduate and receiving an honor from Mayor Mr. Herzog of Aschaffenburg.
After completing her education, Nicole seized a job opportunity in Hong Kong and China, where she led the quality department for electronic devices. She was responsible for international product registrations with authorities and managed international supplier relationships. Nicole’s parents ran a carpentry business for interior design and shopfitting with 14 employees, and she began supporting them with technical drawings at the age of 12.
Experiencing critical accidents later in life, Nicole encountered the complexities of the healthcare system. A crash severely damaged her jaw bones, leading to more than 30 surgeries to reconstruct them with titanium plates. Despite difficulties, she persevered, relearning essential functions such as eating and speaking from scratch.
Nicole furthered her education by studying industrial engineering with a focus on electrical engineering at the Technical University in Aschaffenburg. Engaging in a program with Linde AG, she gained practical experience in the maintenance area of forklift lifts, spending time in Xiamen, China. However, the outbreak of SARS in the region compelled her to contribute to the installation of a health quarantine system, a valuable experience that later proved beneficial in an international project with Fresenius focusing on leading the Heart-Loung-Pump registration amidst the challenges of COVID.
Enthralled by the laboratory environment for robot software and microelectronic technology, Nicole developed a keen interest in Asian culture and international business. She actively participated in university programs, solidifying her commitment to these fields.
Journey towards NMI Engineering
Following a serious accident in 2005, Nicole decided to resign from her job and return to Germany for healing and a series of surgeries. In 2006, a close friend named Volker strongly encouraged her to establish her own freelancing engineering office. Beginning from scratch in June 2006, she collaborated with a consulting company, initially focusing on projects in the automotive sector and later expanding into medicine devices and aerospace. Leveraging a robust international network, she served as an interim manager for numerous inspiring future technology projects with diverse teams.
As the volumes and responsibilities of projects steadily increased over the years, Nicole Mauthe conceived the idea in 2000 to utilize the wealth of experience gained from over 180 projects across more than 40 countries. This led to the inception of NOA GmbH, where she initiated the development of an Emergency app and a flying drone ambulance. Eventually, due to challenging circumstances, the company was rebranded as NMI Engineering International, establishing a presence in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Boston, and Dubai. The inaugural independent development project, MED-X, marked a significant milestone in both Nicole’s and NMI Engineering’s journey.
Overcoming Health Battles and Navigating Business Challenges
In 2011, Nicole Mauthe confronted a severe health diagnosis, defying a prognosis of only 10 months to live. Fueled by an unyielding will to survive, she opted for a non-traditional, high-risk biometrical treatment, forgoing surgery and chemotherapy at considerable personal cost. During her health battle, Nicole proactively sought support from her network, orchestrating the recruitment of individuals to manage her business affairs. This challenging period compelled her to strategically steer the company’s growth to generate income to cover the expenses of her unconventional therapy, showcasing resilience and dedication.
NMI Engineering’s Global Impact
Nicole Mauthe led operations in numerous international projects for esteemed global players such as Audi, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Roche, Fresenius, and Airbus. Spanning over 40 countries and encompassing more than 180 projects, this extensive experience laid the groundwork for the establishment of NMI Engineering.
Drawing upon the wealth of expertise gained from projects ranging from developing seating for E- and S-Class AMG to engineering innovations like the RX8 Audi engine and the BMW i3 deformation wave, Nicole conceptualized NMI’s flagship project, MED-X. This endeavor integrates various accomplishments, including contributions to the development of a heart-lung machine for Fresenius, an implanted insulin pump for Roche, brain implants for human studies, and advancements in robot development for KuKa, Kit, and Siemens.
Nicole strategically leverages this international network to expand NMI Engineering’s footprint into Germany, Dubai, and Boston. The plan involves forging robust joint ventures, aligning the German NMI development hub with new production endeavors in Dubai—such as salt-ion batteries with solar foils, eVtol production, and medicine surgery robot manufacturing. The strategy further entails navigating stringent regulations in the Arabian/Asian market through deep connections with local Chambers and the D33 Vision Healthy program. By capitalizing on these relationships, the company aims to expedite market entry, starting with FDA registration and subsequently entering the MDR region in Europe.
In response to complex regulations in Europe, NMI under Nicole has embraced a highly open-minded, flexible, and digital approach since 2014. Operating remotely and digitally, the entire team focuses on efficient project management, allowing members the freedom to organize their work on a foundation of trust, regardless of their geographical location. “The ultimate goal is to ensure the timely and cost-effective development of their flying complex ambulance, making it available to the global market for critical life-saving situations”, concludes – Nicole Mauthe.
Charting the Future of Healthcare
Nicole Mauthe, leading the charge at NMI, envisions a world where surgical assistance is accessible to all, regardless of location. NMI’s groundbreaking project, MED-X, is the world’s first flying eVTOL AI-powered mobile surgery robot system, designed to swiftly respond to medical emergencies anywhere in the world.
Thanks to its novel electric propulsion system, MED-X can autonomously fly or be driven in a mobile rescue truck form. Featuring a revolutionary telescopic elevator, MED-X can navigate challenging terrains, retrieving patients from otherwise inaccessible areas and transporting them to a safe location for immediate life-saving treatment.
Once the patient is ready, an AI-powered automatic trauma analysis system selects and connects to a qualified surgeon via a secure satellite link with minimal latency. This innovative approach enables surgeries to be performed by specialized doctors from any corner of the globe, at any time. The modular AI-powered robotic system is designed for single or collaborative use by surgical teams, facilitating a wide range of life-saving medical procedures.
With NMI’s global presence, including engineering offices in Frankfurt and Berlin, the Robolution and AI Center in Munich, an FDA registration office in Boston, and a new prototyping plant in Dubai, the aim is to uphold the MED-X vision with the utmost quality and innovation. MED-X is the future of accessible surgical help for anyone, anywhere in the world, charting a new course in healthcare with its ability to reach disastrous areas promptly and provide essential medical aid autonomously.
Wanderlust Delights
Nicole and her family have a profound love for traveling the world, immersing themselves in diverse cultures, and engaging in nature-centric activities such as camping, snorkeling, diving, biking, and hiking. They draw abundant inspiration from their global adventures, incorporating these experiences into their daily lives. Nicole enjoys hosting friends for delightful cooking sessions, where they recreate special local meals discovered during their latest trip. These homemade dishes are then savored at home amidst music, dancing, and the joy of spending quality time with family and friends. This enriching lifestyle brings a sense of freedom to Nicole’s heart.
