About me
Sebastian Kirsch. Founder of Meritong
Software, hardware, general management and China in one person. You will rarely find that combination a second time in the German-speaking market, and it is at the core of every audit.
Working languages
01 / What sets this apart
Why Meritong and not another provider?
Expertise in hardware, firmware, China and AI
01 Hardware
From prototype to series production. I review every component for cost, dependencies and AI readiness.
02 Software
Software and firmware are a decisive factor today. That is why I review them from the full assessment upwards, provided your product contains software or firmware.
03 China
I speak fluent Mandarin and read original Chinese documentation. I hold the conversations with your suppliers in Mandarin and, where needed, in English, German or Spanish.
04 AI
Want to run AI on your hardware? I assess on technical grounds whether a component supports the planned AI application.
02 / Background
How does this combination come about?
From a machine learning degree to running a deep-tech start-up
Computer science degree with a focus on machine learning
Chinese alongside the degree, up to negotiation level. The two threads that run through every audit today start at the same point.
Freelance software developer and project lead
Software architecture as a craft. That is why the audit reads the code base and not only the bill of materials. During this time, leading Chinese development teams, first experience with Chinese suppliers of embedded hardware and six months working in China.
Move into hardware: Cerabyte
Cerabyte in Munich writes data with a laser into a ceramic nanolayer on glass — archival storage built to outlast millennia. Optics, lasers and semiconductors, first as head of software development and later of the entire engineering department. Products from prototype through to series production.
CTO, then Managing Director Technology at Cerabyte
From the first grant to a multi-million valuation, across several funding rounds. Externally the liaison to CERN openlab on an open format standard for the data carrier, with talks at the US Library of Congress and at several developer conferences in Silicon Valley.
Founding of Meritong
BOM audits for hardware and industrial companies sourcing from China and Asia. Spends significant time on site in China and other Asian countries, based in Austria.
03 / Figures
Which of this is documented?
Figures from the track record and from current engagements
04 / On the ground
What does the work on site actually look like?
On site in China and other Asian countries, in the suppliers' language
Mandarin at negotiation level
Sebastian Kirsch interviewed in Chinese, with English subtitles. Sound via the button on the video.
05 / Client references
What do clients and referees say?
Client testimonials
When critical components could no longer be sourced through the usual channels, Sebastian opened up alternatives for us on the Asian market: fast, structured and on site. He not only found suppliers, he also checked them for integrity and the goods for authenticity. In the end we had a clear and dependable basis for our decision.
Sebastian conducted a scalability audit of our systems and supply chain and helped us define a development and procurement roadmap aligned with our financial constraints. He identified a better-fit hardware component and supplier in China, projected to save tens of thousands of euros at scale, and supported the efficient integration into our software stack.
Sebastian combines deep technical understanding with strong system-level thinking across software, hardware, and global supply chains. He consistently demonstrated excellent analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex topics clearly across engineering and executive teams.
Sebastian led the implementation of a cloud-based platform with integrated edge devices for our municipality. He coordinated across software, hardware, and stakeholder groups and successfully delivered a system that operates reliably at scale. His ability to translate complex technical requirements into practical solutions was particularly valuable.
06 / Read on
Where does it go from here?
Solutions and industries in detail
07 / The next step
How do I start?
The first call is free.
Thirty minutes. Your situation, your product, your suppliers. At the end you have the potential check: how many alternative suppliers are worth considering, and what saving is realistically on the table.
