#83 Joel Leichty (Cooptimize)

Send us Fan MailWhat does a democratic consulting company look like in practice? In this episode of the Microsoft Biz Apps Germany Podcast, we sit down with Joel Leichty, co-founder of Cooptimize, to explore a very different way of building a business. Joel shares how his U.S.-based Microsoft consulting firm combines services like Power BI, Fabric, and data migrations with a worker-owned cooperative model where employees can become co-owners and help shape key decisions. We also dive into flat hierarchies, transparent salary structures, and what real collaboration looks like in a remote-first world. On top of that, Joel gives a refreshingly honest take on AI — where it’s truly useful, where it’s overhyped, and why vague promises of transformation deserve more scrutiny. A thoughtful conversation about work, ownership, and the future of business.