What if real progress was about doing more with less?

Hi,

I’m Aya.

Author, founder and tech analyst advising companies on the real incentives driving tech and innovation. In my book Broligarchie, I examine how power dynamics shape strategy. Previously founded and exited a consultancy serving finance and tech clients. Today I deliver keynotes and write Code & Capital, my Surplus column on technology and power.

Porträt einer jungen Frau mit dunklen, lockigen Haaren, in schwarzer Jacke, vor einem neutralen Hintergrund.

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  • Code & Capital is my biweekly column for Surplus Magazine, where I dig into the intersection of technology, money, and power. From AI policy to platform capitalism, I unpack how tech is reshaping society – and who benefits. Critical, sharp, and always political.

  • Tech, Actually is my new English-language newsletter where I take a closer look at the stories tech companies would rather you ignore. It's a critical, opinionated take on the hype, the headlines, and the hidden power structures behind today’s innovations. Published biweekly, with essays, news recaps, and podcast recommendations.

Book me

  • My work focuses on building a future where innovation and growth serve people and the planet. Let’s explore how we can collaborate to create meaningful change together. Book a 30-minute call with me on Calendly.

  • With over 100 keynotes delivered, I inspire deep thinking on topics like tech, sustainability, and the future of business. Want me to speak at your company event? Email me to check my availability.

  • Looking for a guest author to contribute fresh insights on tech, innovation, and sustainability? I’ve written for leading publications such as t3n, Forbes, Surplus and form Magazin. To explore how I can contribute to your publication, feel free to reach out via email.

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In Broligarchie, Aya Jaff dissects the rise of a new tech elite — founders who present themselves as rebels, but rule like kings. Drawing from her own experience in the startup world, she traces how innovation became a smokescreen for power consolidation, data extraction, and economic inequality. This book reveals how Big Tech reshapes markets, redefines freedom, and privatizes digital infrastructure — all while cloaking itself in progressive language. But Broligarchie is not just a takedown. It offers a sharper lens on the systems behind the hype and asks what it would take to build technology that serves the public good. With urgency and clarity, Jaff invites us to rethink ownership, democratize infrastructure, and reclaim the future from the myths of disruption.

The Power Games of the Tech Elite

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Latest Keynote

Here's a recent keynote on tech, power, and the myths we build around innovation.
Get a glimpse of how I think – and speak.

companies trust my expertise

Companies like Microsoft, Mercedes, Audi, Jung von Matt, Yves Saint Laurent, Birkenstock, and Bosch trust my expertise to inspire and educate their teams. I've had the privilege of speaking to thousands of people internationally, in both English and German, on topics ranging from technology and innovation to sustainability and impact. My keynotes and workshops are tailored to drive meaningful conversations and strategic thinking in diverse industries.

In 2023, I founded Germany’s largest AI festival, Data Unplugged, where I collaborated with leading companies and thought leaders to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on business and society.

A black-and-white photo of a cheerful group of twelve people posing together at an event. Most are wearing name badges and branded polo shirts. They’re smiling widely, with several making playful “hand-on-cheek” expressions.

My story

I’m Aya Jaff, an entrepreneur, author, and tech analyst with a deep interest in technology, finance, and the real incentives behind innovation. My journey began at a young age, when I first started coding and had the opportunity to work internationally with companies like Hyperloop Transportation Technologies. I later served as the CTO of Germany’s largest social stock market game, Tradity, and then as Head of Communications at ZOLLHOF, one of Germany’s leading startup hubs, supporting numerous startups on their journey.

My experiences in finance and tech led me to write the SPIEGEL-bestselling book Moneymakers. Currently, I’m working on my second book, Broligarchy, which examines how tech elites consolidate power while selling us the promise of progress. As a tech analyst, I also write Code & Capital, a column for Surplus that explores power dynamics and incentives in the tech industry.

In 2023, I launched How to get rich, Aya?, a show on ARD Mediathek, and organized Data Unplugged, a large-scale conference focused on ethics in technology.

My work has been widely recognized in the press. Die ZEIT named me “Mrs. Code,” and I’ve been featured on the covers of VOGUE Business, Women in Business, t3n, and Business Punk. In 2019, I was honored to be included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.

PRESS

From cover stories to in-depth features, I’ve been highlighted in numerous publications for my work in technology, entrepreneurship, and impact-driven innovation. Explore the articles

Aya with long dark hair in a green blazer against a bright yellow background featuring large black text reading “Forbes 30 Under 30.”
Aya Jaff on the cover of t3n digital magazine, smiling and wearing a black top with an illustrated orange tie drawn over it. The text includes “20 unter 20” (20 under 20) and highlights her as a digital pioneer shaping the future.
Buchcover mit einer lachenden Frau, die Geldscheine in der Hand hält, der Titel 'Money Makers' in roter Schrift, von Aya Jaff, mit weiteren Texten und Logos auf einem grauen Hintergrund.
Vogue Deutschland Magazin cover mit einer lachenden Frau im Anzug, Titel 'Leben neu', Thema von Gen-Screening bis Tech Detox.
Aya Jaff on the cover of GLAMOUR Germany, sitting at a table with her hand resting on her chin and holding a white smartphone. She wears a black leather jacket with yellow floral embroidery. The text reads “Women of the Year.”
Aya Jaff sitting on the floor in a bright red suit and white sneakers, smiling in a modern studio setting with neon tube lights. Large pink and yellow text reads “HOW TO GET RICH Aya?” with the ARD logo above
Das Cover einer Zeitschrift namens "Business Punk" mit einer jungen Frau in einem rosa Blazer, die an der Hüfte mit der Hand abstellt. Der Titel hebt hervor: "100 Gründermacher Kreative". Weitere Texte erwähnen Start-ups in Tokio, Google und einen Abseit-Artikel. Das Magazin ist vom Juni 2018 für 6,80 Euro.
Titelbild einer Frauenzeitschrift namens 'Women in Business', zeigt eine junge Frau mit dunklen Haaren in weißem Hemd, mit Text über Geld verdienen und finanzielle Interessen.