About tara
We are developing a digital solution that bridges the gap between artisan manufacturing and contemporary design. Our solution will provide design companies with direct access to skilled artisan businesses, supported by features that facilitate artisan collaboration. Through our growing network of local experts, we help navigate cultural differences, ensure quality standards, and facilitate lasting business relationships.
Design companies will be able to discover artisan businesses based on their manufacturing capabilities, view their portfolios, connect directly for project inquiries, and manage collaborative projects through our platform. For artisan businesses, we’re creating tools to showcase their skills, communicate effectively with international clients, and participate fairly in global value chains. Every feature we develop is guided by our commitment to transparency, fair collaboration, and sustainable business practices.
About the management team
Behind tara stands a diverse founding trio united by their passion for sustainable development and social innovation. We combine sharp business acumen from asset and project management with hands-on experience in community development in Latin America and development cooperation in Sri Lanka. Strategic expertise in mobility consulting and platform development adds a deep understanding of how technology can drive social change. This is complemented by extensive experience in diaspora development work and cultural bridge-building capabilities, including native language skills in the tara pilot region Sri Lanka.
A shared vision for tara
The team first connected during their Master’s studies in Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation, where they discovered their shared vision of transforming global value chains to benefit artisan communities. What started as an academic project quickly evolved into a mission to create real-world impact. Combining practical business experience, technological understanding, and deep cultural insights, they are committed to build tara into a platform that genuinely serves both artisan businesses and design companies.
Meet our amazing team
Our team of founders
Kabilan Thavachelvan
Co-Founder
I have a B.Sc. in Sustainable Development and have become increasingly involved in global agricultural change in recent years. I became part of the founding team of OnTop and established the first rooftop farm at a German university.
As I find that creating meaningful projects gives me energy and that I have always followed my visions, I started the Master programme Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation at the HNE Eberswalde in September 2022. I have always enjoyed fruitful meetings and closing beneficial deals that create social impact, such as in my previous position as a sales manager at a social impact startup.
My parents fled the civil war in Sri Lanka and I was born in Germany. My strong roots in Tamil culture led me to volunteer in development cooperation in Sri Lanka.
Stela Bergan
Co-Founder
I started my professional career with a bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Management while working for the international wholesale group METRO AG in Düsseldorf.
After moving to Berlin, I worked as a Project and Investment Manager to gain experience in long-term, complex and high-volume projects. In this positions I developed the necessary skills to overcome challenges in fast moving environments.
To dive deeper into leadership and sustainability, I decided to start my master’s in Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation at the University for Sustainable Development (HNE) in Eberswalde.
Martin Preis
Co-Founder
My first work experience I gained in a rural development project in the Veraguas province in Panama. During the one year I spend there I learned a lot about the life in underprivileged rural regions and learned a lot about the life in underprivileged rural regions and learned about the structures that hindered communities in their development.
Studying business administration in the context of sustainability at Leuphana University in Lüneburg I was confronted with a new understanding of entrepreneurship based on social and ecological goals and gained professional experience in a sustainable mobility consultancy. I followed my research interest to the University of Sustainable Development Eberswalde (HNEE) where I am currently studying Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation.
Our advisory board
Guided through seasoned experts
Robert
A visionary leader with a proven track record of pioneering innovations in sustainable fashion and creative industries. As the Co-Founder of the Institute for Future Creations and Chief Innovation Officer at Selyn Exporters, he has led transformative initiatives that have reshaped markets and fostered positive social impact globally.
His expertise lies in driving strategic partnerships, market insights, and value chain management from concept to consumer. With a passion for sustainable development, he is committed to creating a lasting impact through innovation, creativity, and leadership.
Dustin
A strategic design leader with strong expertise in building digital business models & products in diverse industries. Formerly an Executive Creative Director in a digital consultancy, now an Advisor, Dustin helps us strategically build a holistic brand and customer experience for tara.
He stands for creating user-centered digital experiences and is convinced that combining sustainability with digital creates impact that really matters – for a better tomorrow.
Hannes
Hannes’ passion are people and relationships and he strongly cares for our planet. He is an entrepreneur and communicator focusing on technology to drive financial inclusion and a just economic transition within planetary boundaries.
Franka
A Franka is a UX Researcher, UX Consultant and Design Thinking Coach with a soft spot for multilingual work environments and a lot of curiosity to get to the core of what moves and motivates people.
She finds real user problems, co-create ways to solve them and work as a coach to make user-centred work accessible to everyone. Her toolkit for this consists of quantitative and qualitative user research methods, interface design skills, data expertise and workshop facilitation experience. After years of working with social startup founders and NGOs, she became an expert in innovations that harmonize business and social impact.