Darko Pavic - Global Retail & Fiscalization Expert
28 +
Years of Experience
icon About Me

My Name is Darko Pavic

Global Retail & Fiscalization Expert | CEO | Artist | Runner

I’m the founder & CEO of Fiscal Solutions, with 28+ years in retail tech – turning fiscal compliance into a growth engine for retailers across 27+ countries. I design cloud-native middleware and operating models that make complex rules simple, scalable, and auditable. Outside work I’m a father of four, marathon runner, art enthusiast, and dog lover – bringing the same curiosity and discipline to everything I do.

Age 53 Years
Based in Hamburg, Germany
icon Core Expertise

Where I create value in retail, technology, and growth.

  • Retail business processes & global expansion — operating models, rollout playbooks, country entry.
  • Retail technology & digital transformation — POS, omnichannel, data platforms that scale.
  • Fiscalization & tax compliance worldwide — multi-country rules, fiscal devices/printers, middleware, evidence & audit.
  • Automation in retail — AI agents, workflow orchestration, real-time reporting.
  • Emerging retail models — next-gen concepts: quick-commerce, retail media, live/gamified shopping, experiential phygital stores, fast-fashion cadence.
  • Software architecture & development — cloud-native, API-first, high availability, massive-scale transaction processing, offline-capable systems.
  • Entrepreneurship — sensing market shifts early, opportunity design, and clear-eyed risk management.
  • Marketing — B2B positioning, category creation, thought leadership, and go-to-market strategy.
  • Creativity — design thinking, rapid prototyping, turning ideas into outcomes.

I’m the founder & CEO of Fiscal Solutions, a retail-technology company that has delivered large-scale rollouts for leading global brands across 27+ countries. For nearly three decades I’ve built cloud-native, API-first software - POS, fiscal middleware, and phygital store solutions - working hands-on with tier-one retailers to ship reliably at scale.

I pair deep knowledge of retail operations with modern tech; AI, data platforms, offline-capable architectures, to turn compliance and complexity into speed, resilience, and growth.

I studied Electrical Engineering with a focus on automation technology at the University of Paderborn in Germany. My master’s thesis, “Development of Rule-Based Components for Error Detection in Static Program Analysis,” was published as Technical Report 2001/7 (August 2001) - early proof of my passion for systems that are precise, auditable, and scalable.

As a leader, I’m known for clarity of vision, creative problem-solving, and the ability to inspire teams to move fast without drama.

I contribute to industry dialogue (e.g., Forbes Technology Council, RETHINK Retail Expert 2025) and help set practical standards in retail tech and fiscalization. Personally, I’m a father of four, marathon runner, artist, and dog lover, habits that keep me curious, disciplined, and grounded.

Work Experience

CEO

2004 - Present

Fiscal Solutions

Founder and leader of a global provider of fiscal-compliance middleware and expertise for retailers and POS vendors. Built a cloud-native platform and country portal covering 27+ markets, and partnered with tier-1 brands to cut time-to-country, lower risk, and scale omnichannel rollouts.

Diebold Nixdorf

Responsible for the software development strategy across the company’s entire retail solutions portfolio, with a strong focus on global markets, retail requirements and process excellence.

Head of department Operations and Controlling, Retail Solutions
2004 - 2009

Senior Project Manager

2001 - 2004

Diebold Nixdorf

Led large-scale programs for global retailers, including Carrefour, Kaufland, and Metro Cash & Carry—managing country expansions and launching new business models worldwide.

Fortbildungsakademie der Wirtschaft

Taught courses on the internet and its applications, software tools, and programming languages. Students were academic graduates seeking to expand their knowledge and gain industry-ready skills.

Teacher
2000 - 2002

Sales Director, Adriatic Region

1998 - 2001

Diebold Nixdorf

Managing sales and projects for complete Wincor Nixdorfs retail portfolio

University of Paderborn, Germany

I studied Electrical Engineering with a focus on automation technology. My master’s thesis, “Development of Rule-Based Components for Error Detection in Static Program Analysis,” was published as Technical Report 2001/7 (August 2001).

Diplom-Ingenieur (Master’s-equivalent)
1994 - 2001 (Present)
icon awards and memberships

These memberships aren’t ornamental, they’re integral to my values and work.

RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert 2025
An international recognition awarded to leaders shaping the future of commerce through measurable impact, innovation, and trusted thought leadership. It matters because it validates real-world results, across technology, strategy, and customer experience, and amplifies my voice in a global community of retail decision-makers and innovators.

VDE Membership (28 years) — Silver Medal (2022)
I’ve been a member of VDE – Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik for 28 years and received the Silver Medal in 2022 for 25 years of service. Being part of VDE keeps me connected to Germany’s leading engineering network, access to standards, expert committees, and cutting-edge research, while fostering lifelong learning, professional credibility, and collaborations that translate directly into better, safer, and more innovative solutions.

Standards Advocacy in Retail & Fiscalization
Together with Fiscal Solutions, I’ve been an active member of ARTS (retail standards) and later the Object Management Group (OMG), championing global standardization and specifically pushing fiscalization from country-specific “patchwork” to interoperable, vendor-neutral models. We contributed to working groups, authored reference architectures/APIs, and helped shape test suites so retailers, POS vendors, and authorities can align on one playbook. More details here

Forbes Technology Council
I’m a member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for senior tech leaders. It gives me a platform to publish on Forbes.com, join expert panels, and exchange ideas with peers—amplifying my insights, accelerating learning, and strengthening the value I bring to clients and partners.

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