Webinar Recap with Kilian Schmidt (Kertos) & Jana Schellong (beams)
Compliance is rapidly becoming a decisive success factor—not just for large corporations, but also for startups and scale-ups. In our recent webinar, Kilian Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Kertos, and Jana Schellong, Co-Founder of beams, came together to discuss the rising challenges facing young tech companies. The focus: how to confidently and efficiently navigate regulatory demands like the EU AI Act, NIS2 Directive, SOC 2, and ISO 27001—even with limited resources.
Packed into a concise 45-minute session, they delivered a practical introduction to the key frameworks and answered real-world questions from startup founders and operators.
Key Insights
Compliance starts earlier than most realize—and it’s a true competitive advantage
With regulations like the EU AI Act and NIS2 now in force, even small teams must fully understand how they use AI and manage sensitive data internally. Kilian demonstrated how teams can train employees, document tools, and embed secure processes into everyday workflows—without costly consultants. Early compliance doesn’t just reduce risk; it builds trust with customers, partners, and investors alike.
EU AI Act, SOC 2, ISO & beyond—demystifying complexity
From AI-powered decision-making to international certifications, the discussion centered on pragmatic compliance. Instead of overwhelm, clarity was key: thorough documentation, transparency, and choosing the right frameworks depending on your market and customer needs. Kilian’s crucial insight: certification is not the finish line—it’s the starting point for ongoing excellence.
Diverse teams and product-led thinking make compliance achievable
Jana brought a fresh perspective with beams, a product-first company that shows how workflows in tech teams can be improved sustainably. She emphasized the importance of building software by diverse teams for diverse users. Alongside co-founder Mihriban Minaz, Jana prioritizes product quality over buzzwords, user research over stereotypes—and courage over hesitation. Their motto?
“Feel the fear and do it anyways.”
About beams
beams is a SaaS startup based in Berlin, founded by Jana Schellong and Mihriban Minaz. Designed specifically for tech teams, beams seamlessly integrates with popular tools like Google Calendar and Slack. It helps teams sharpen focus, streamline workflows, and boost productivity sustainably. Its core users are developers, product managers, and designers who want to build high-performing, balanced teams together.
