Be bold. Be excited. Be the leap.

Less clutter, more clout. We’re a tight-knit team of enablers who believe that wherever there’s a problem, there’s a user-led solution.

Our journey

From small beginnings in Berg Strasse to big leaps in global innovation, this is our story so far.
Pre-2020
It was always a question of when Rob would start his own agency, not if.

Two very different experiences laid the groundwork. From IBM in Dubai to AJ&Smart in Berlin, Rob fused enterprise Design Thinking with boutique innovation.

After 20+ years shaping other companies’ journeys, it was time to shape his own.
2020
Be The Leap was up and running in a leap year.

The first two projects set the pace with sprints for Blinkist in San Francisco and Invex Now in Mexico. When the pandemic hit, we pivoted fast, creating the Product Audit to help businesses navigate the turmoil.

Against the odds, we started strong – and opened our very first office on Berg Strasse, Berlin.
2021
New clients – and team members – arrived as we ran 20 sprints and five audits in one year.

Rapid innovation projects with Butter.us, Engel & Völkers, and Takes Inc. helped cement our growing reputation.

Our digital presence was also expanding, with over 2,500 Instagram followers today.
2022
In 2022 we scaled new heights as innovation returned to our clients’ agenda.

We took on global projects – from sprints in San Francisco, to a series of workshops (and a climb up the Harbour Bridge) in Sydney.

Back in Berlin, we’d outgrown our first office, so it was time to move to bigger premises at Ahoy.
2023
Despite a global economic downturn, Q1 and Q2 showed strong progress.

Another move saw us settle into our first ‘proper office’ on Rhinower Strasse, Berlin.

Our resilience was tested again as Q3 and Q4 slowed sharply. But by now, our Product Audit was a standout service, helping new clients power through the uncertainty.
2024
New leaps often begin with trusted recommendations

…and that’s how we kicked off a major project with MarTrust at the start of 2024 (another leap year!).

With MarTrust, we showcased our full range – from Product Audits and Design Sprints to CX Design, User Testing, and in-depth Brand Guidelines.
2025
January 2025 arrived so fast, we barely paused to celebrate our fifth birthday.

New work with Booking.com and EpiGenetics led us to a bigger studio on Schwedter Strasse – a converted Chocolate Factory that’s seen its own transformations.

It’s the perfect home for a dynamic team dedicated to transformation since we began in 2020, and a springboard for many ‘Leap’ years to come.
About Acelia
With over 15 years of experience, we specialize in delivering tailored solutions that drive success across industries like finance, technology, and operations. Our dedicated team is focused on accelerating growth and helping your business thrive in an ever-changing market.
95%
Complete customer satisfaction
10+
Innovation and valuable insight
$10m
Highly efficient financial strategies
50m
Users worldwide, providing them with

Meet the team

Rob Hamblen
Founder / Product Guru
Rob puts the ‘lit’ in ‘facilitator’.
With nearly three decades of designing human-centered digital products for some of the world's most forward-thinking brands, he’s honed his craft to become a true Master of Sprints.
From banking and fintech to government, healthcare, and social media, Rob has transformed businesses, product teams, and leadership with his own tailored methodologies.
He takes huge pride in helping companies like IBM and Lego break through barriers with rapid innovation frameworks that shake up industries.
Need Rob to lead your digital transformation? It’s lit.
Gareth Fox
Head of Design & Strategist
Gareth believes in simplicity – the kind that cuts the crap and propels growth.
He’s helped global brands and ambitious startups solve big challenges with smart, design-led thinking.
From UX and brand strategy to product design and workshops, he leads teams, drives innovation, and makes better ways of working stick.
His human-centered approach has shaped brands like DeliveryHero, Deutsche Bank, and AmerisourceBergen – turning complex problems into standout experiences.
Great design isn’t complicated. Gareth makes sure of that.
Hana Mondekova
Lead Product Strategist
Hana helps ambitious companies rethink, refine, and launch pioneering product strategies – rooted in insight and built for impact.
She’s worked with fintech giants like Santander and Engel & Völkers Smart Money, as well as Silicon Valley Ad Tech leaders, always staying ahead of the curve.
Hana’s an expert at guiding teams through positive disruption, ensuring they don’t just keep up with change – they lead it.
Martin Novotny
Product / Experience Designer
For Martin, every project starts with one question – ‘Can we?’
Starting in videography and video effects, Martin pushed his own creative development – adding digital design to his growing skills and expertise.
With a sharp strategic mind and a hunger for creative impact, Martin bridges business needs with beautiful, human-centered solutions designed for tomorrow’s customers.
Can Martin push your digital experience? Yes, he can.
Kerry Thompson
Senior Consultant
Kerry turns business chaos into clarity.
With two decades of leading high-stakes programmes across automotive, retail, and beyond, she’s the go-to for businesses ready to scale, streamline, and seriously step up.
She’s helped dealer groups, automotive OEMs, and growth-hungry brands unlock operational excellence, embed strategy, and deliver results that stick – fast.
From front line operations to boardrooms, Kerry brings calm to the complex with a trademark blend of sharp thinking and stakeholder engagement.
Big ambitions, tight timelines, tricky stakeholders? Kerry’s your person.
Jim Campbell
Senior Copywriter
If you hear Jim sneezing it’s probably because he’s allergic to dull copy.
With nearly 30 years in the creative industry, Jim has honed his wordsmithery on big brands such as Electrolux, Honeywell, Interface and Milwaukee.
A big fan of authenticity, Jim shows brands how to connect better with customers in a fast-paced, online world.
His top tip for better messaging? To make the leap, make it human.

Let’s make the leap together

We don’t just solve your toughest challenges – we equip your team with the mindset, confidence, and tools to keep innovating for years to come.

We listen, test ideas and empower your teams to think differently.

And with a resolute, can-do spirit, we’ll be right there with you – pushing, guiding, and enabling your team to take that leap with clarity and conviction.