A Day in the Life of Our CTO: Markus Minichmayr

A day in the life of a CTO is rarely predictable. For Markus Minichmayr, Tapkey’s CTO, no two days are quite the same. His role spans a wide range of tasks—from solving technical challenges and supporting the team to exploring new ideas and driving innovation forward.

In this interview, he shares what a typical day looks like, how he balances leadership with hands-on work, and which values guide his decisions in challenging situations. His approach shows that with clear priorities and flexibility, both technology and teamwork can thrive.

Mornings Begin with Structure

Markus starts his day with purpose. Before his first coffee, he checks his calendar to get an overview of upcoming meetings and tasks. How the day unfolds often depends on what’s planned. Mornings are his most productive time, so he focuses on tasks that require deep thinking and concentration.

“The best days aren’t too packed, giving me the chance to focus on technology and work on new things.”

A key part of his morning routine is the daily stand-up with the development team. This short meeting helps everyone stay aligned and support each other, an essential part of smooth teamwork.

Scalability as a Guiding Principle

When asked if he has a favourite buzzword, Markus laughs: “Scalability.” It’s a word that is at the core of his thinking.

“It shows up everywhere,” he explains, “from small technical decisions to the bigger question of how a company can grow. If something isn’t scalable, you’ll eventually hit a wall.”

One of the biggest challenges he faces as CTO is scaling the team itself. As Tapkey grows, it becomes more important to delegate tasks effectively,without compromising on quality or slowing down progress.“That’s the real balancing act,” Markus says. Finding the right structure, building trust, and keeping standards high is key to growing sustainably.

A Strong Team as a Success Factor

When asked about moments that stand out, Markus says: “It’s always impressive when someone from the team offers a fresh perspective that makes a complex challenge suddenly feel manageable.” For him, these moments highlight the strength of collaboration and how important it is to stay open to new ideas.

According to Markus, what makes Tapkey unique is the dedication and identification of employees with the company.

“The people here aren’t just great at what they do – they also work really well together on a personal level. That makes a huge difference,” he says.

When asked if there was ever a moment that surprised him, Markus shares: “There are times when I puzzle over a difficult task, only for someone on the team to come up with a solution that makes everything seem simple.” Moments like these remind him of the power of teamwork.

If Markus’ Job Had a Soundtrack

When asked to compare his role to a piece of music, Markus chose Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

“It’s complex and needs many talented people working together,” he says. “The result is something special—but it doesn’t happen overnight. Every part matters, and when everything comes together, it’s much stronger than each part on its own.”

Unwinding After Work

After a busy day, Markus likes to unwind with his family. Whether he’s building Lego with the little ones, playing chess with his older daughter, or making music together – spending time with his family is the perfect way for him to relax.

What sets Markus apart as a CTO is his deep passion for technology, his focus on creating a supportive team environment, and his forward-thinking mindset. His leadership shows that Tapkey’s success isn’t just about smart solutions – it’s also about building a culture where innovation, teamwork, and shared goals go hand in hand.