The Most Awesome Founder Podcast
The Most Awesome Founder Podcast is a show about entrepreneurs, innovators, advisors, and educators, and the stories that make them who they are today. We are brought to you by the WHU–Otto Beisheim School of Management Entrepreneurship Center in beautiful Vallendar, Germany.
info_outline
EP 90 - Fueling fast-growth companies with Karel Dörner
04/03/2024
EP 90 - Fueling fast-growth companies with Karel Dörner
Episode 90 of the Most Awesome Founder podcast and we are pleased to welcome Karel Dörner! Karel is one of the earliest role models of the WHU entrepreneurship spirit; from the dorm rooms of WHU to co-founding eBay competitor Alando, it took him only a few months. Moreover, leaving McKinsey to found a startup with buddies from university when founding was yet to be considered an outstanding career option takes guts and a strong-minded person willing to take a risk. With a blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, Karel unveils the highs and lows of startup life and the wisdom gained from his many business endeavors. Tune in to find out how, in the end, he found his way back to top-tier consulting and can still transform high-growth startups today. Chapters: (0:08) Intro to the episode (0:44) Karel’s professional background: from founding alando to joining McKinsey (13:35) Are there parallels between doing business in 1998 and today? (27:30) How do you make an exit decision as a young founder? (33:12) How can consultancies help fast-growing companies (37:55) Changing external environments for fast-growing startups (42:40) The startup ecosystem approach (48:00) The public sector as a lead customer – a model for Germany? (53:14) When is the right point to exit as a founder (59:30) Books & podcast suggestions Karel's recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/30607863
info_outline
EP 89 - Balancing growth and regulation in fintech with Tobias Auferoth
03/06/2024
EP 89 - Balancing growth and regulation in fintech with Tobias Auferoth
In this episode, we delve into Tobias Auferoth's career journey, which led him from an beginning at Goldman Sachs to a pivotal turn toward entrepreneurship and technology in fintech. As the co-founder and managing director of the fintech startup Upvest, Tobias shares his insights on creating a groundbreaking investment API, demystifying the complexities of financial technologies for our audience. With clients like Revolut, Raisin, and N26, his company exemplifies the fusion of traditional finance with modern technology, offering seamless integration of securities trading into existing platforms. This conversation highlights the challenges of navigating a highly regulated industry and emphasizes the importance of trust, innovation, and the delicate balance between rapid growth and compliance. Dive into this episode to explore the intersection of regulation and innovation, where the future of finance is being redrawn 🚀💼🔍 Chapters: (0:35) Tobias gives an intro to his background (2:50) Why was the reasoning for co-founding Upvest (4:25) What is Upvest’s investment API about? (8:05) The role of trust in a B2B fintech (10:53) How can a startup grow in a heavily regulated industry? (14:30) The need for VC involvement in Upvest (16:10) What is the culture and mindset in Upvest? (20:08) The overall state of the fintech industry (22:45) What is the best way to enter the finance industry as a career path? (26:20) Podcast and book recommendations Tobias‘ recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/30134258
info_outline
EP 88 - Building AI chatbots for customer retention with Marco Dassisti
02/21/2024
EP 88 - Building AI chatbots for customer retention with Marco Dassisti
Join us on the WHU Most Awesome Founder Podcast as we dive into the world of entrepreneurship with Marco Dassisti, a seasoned alumnus of WHU's MBA program and the founder of kitchX and Qualimero.🔊🚀 Discover the highs and lows of building a startup, the power of conversational commerce, and the future of WhatsApp as a sales channel. From the challenges of scalability to the excitement of creating a new venture, Marco shares valuable insights and lessons learned along the way.🔥 Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with inspiration and practical wisdom!🌟💡 Chapters: (1:00) Introduction to Marco's Background (3:15) Discussing the Problem of Scalability in the Case of kitchX (5:40) Explaining What Qualimero is All About (9:00) Overview of the Current Lead Journey and Their Pain Points (10:00) How Qualimero Addresses These Pain Points (11:10) Importance of Quality Assurance for LLm in Sales (14:30) Exploring Why Conversion of Customers is Difficult for Startups (16:30) The Drive of Being an Entrepreneur and Lessons Learned from kitchX (20:50) Analyzing the Future of Whatsapp in the Context of Meta (24:00) Discussion on German Conservatism (25:15) Insights into Intrapreneurship at OBI (30:00) Comparing No Code vs. Having a Technical Co-Founder (34:20) MBA Program of WHU and Entrepreneurship (36:25) Podcast and Book Recommendations Marco's recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/29845593
info_outline
EP 87 - The state of venture funding with Maximilian Eckel
02/07/2024
EP 87 - The state of venture funding with Maximilian Eckel
Dive into the heart of Germany's startup ecosystem with our latest podcast episode, where we explore the vibrant yet challenging landscape of entrepreneurship in this dynamic country. Despite being a hub of innovation and potential, German startups face unique hurdles, from stringent regulations to the quest for funding. Our episode sheds light on these intricacies through the lens of industry insiders, offering a rare glimpse into what it takes to thrive in Germany's competitive startup arena. 🚀🇩🇪 Join us as we dissect the layers of support and struggle that define the German startup journey, from the early stages of ideation to the complexities of scaling globally. Our guests share their firsthand experiences, navigating through bureaucratic tangles, cultural nuances, and the ever-evolving digital landscape. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the realities of startup success and the resilience it demands in Germany's unique ecosystem. 🌐💼 Chapters: (1:00) Max's background (8:50) The role of WHU in the venture funding landscape in Germany (14:20) Outside perspective on WHU's startup ecosystem (19:00) Deeptech startups and WHU students (24:20) More Hands-on entrepreneurial mentality or traditional success Path? (30:40) Is WHU's startup mentality sustainable? (32:35) What's the startup motivation for WHU students? (40:05) The undervalued potential of bootstrapping startups (43:00) Funding report discussion (53:40) Why deeptech has no proper VC funds (1:04:00) Overview of the WHU ecosystem (1:17:10) Books and podcast suggestions Book recommendations: The Circle A Canticle for Leibowitz A Swim in a Pond in the Rain Podcast recommendations: Startup insider Deutsche-Startups Unicorn Bakery
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/29835368
info_outline
EP 86 - Sunhero and the Power of Solar Innovation with Christopher Cederskog
01/24/2024
EP 86 - Sunhero and the Power of Solar Innovation with Christopher Cederskog
Strap in for a riveting new episode on 'The Most Awesome Founder Podcast' as our hosts, Dries Faems and Gerrit McGowan, are joined by strategic mastermind Jeroen Kraaijenbrink. Jeroen shares captivating real-life experiences that he acquired while working on strategic matters with all kinds of clients from the corporate and startup world. Coming from an academic background, he gives insights into his method-oriented approach to strategy and how he aligns his work style with the customers. But that's not all – with a staggering 200k+ followers on LinkedIn and a spot in the Top 20 Global Content Creators, Jeroen is not just a strategist but a digital influencer powerhouse. Hungry for tips on amplifying your online presence? He's got insider secrets you won't want to miss. If you are into strategy, make sure to catch this episode. Chapters: (1:00) Christopher's background (2:30) Reasons for founding sunhero (3:40) Building a solar system journey (5:40) Factors influencing solar business (8:10) Sunhero's business model (12:00) Education in the solar industry (15:15) Debt financing usage (17:30) Challenges for german startups (20:50) Pitfalls of international expansion (27:00) Cultural considerations (29:45) Spanish and german mentalities (32:30) Hiring in different countries (33:50) Core principles of sunhero (36:50) Data-Driven decision-making - always? (42:40) Tips for early stage entrepreneurs (48:00) Book and podcast recommendations Chapters:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/29597933
info_outline
Ep 85 - Building B2B Marketplaces for SaaS with Sergio Chavez
01/10/2024
Ep 85 - Building B2B Marketplaces for SaaS with Sergio Chavez
🌟 Welcome to the first episode of 2024 on 'The Most Awesome Founder Podcast'! Join our esteemed host, Dries Faems, as he engages in an enlightening conversation with Sergio G. Chavez, the innovative head of marketplace and partnerships at Sastrify. Sergio, with his rich international experience in Germany, delves into the intricate world of partnership management and its unique challenges, while also unveiling Sastrify's ambitious vision of creating a comprehensive solution for SaaS procurement and management. Sergio brings to light intriguing misconceptions and hurdles he faced while carving out his international career in Germany. A particularly fascinating insight he shares revolves around the critical role of German language proficiency in customer-facing roles within the DACH region. The episode takes a deep dive into contrasting perspectives on partnerships held by different generations, probing into the perennial debate of quality versus quantity in professional relationships. 🤝 This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in understanding the nuances of international career building, the evolving landscape of partnership management, and the pioneering strides in SaaS solutions. Get ready to be captivated by Sergio's journey and insights that could reshape your view of global professional dynamics. Chapters: (0:08) Introduction (0:50) Sergio's backstory (3:20) Motivation for jumping into a Startup as an MBA. (8:00) What Sastrify is all about. (13:20) Sastrify in the forcefield between their customers and SaaS Vendors. (16:20) The problem with current SaaS B2B Sales. (20:30) How Sastrify as a SaaS marketplace uses its money. (23:20) Partnership management and its unique challenges (27:00) Quantity vs. Quality in partnerships. (29:10) Different perspectives on partnerships. (32:30) Helping international professionals to build a career in Germany. (35:25) Core challenges and misconceptions for building a career as an international professional. (55:00) Sergio's book and podcast recommendations Sergio's recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/29297873
info_outline
EP 84 - Inspiration session #11: The Oliver Samwer and Max Finger startup bible
12/27/2023
EP 84 - Inspiration session #11: The Oliver Samwer and Max Finger startup bible
Welcome to our last episode in 2023! 🚀 This episode takes a unique twist as we journey 25 years back in time to dissect a master thesis that was written by two of the German entrepreneurship world's most influential figures – Oliver Samwer & Max Finger. 📜 Oliver & Max, renowned for their groundbreaking entrepreneurial ventures, penned this remarkable thesis called "America's Most Succesful Startups" at the dawn of their illustrious career when doing their masters at WHU. Now, Dries and Gerrit dive deep into the pages of history to meticulously examine the propositions made, debating their relevance in today's fast-paced entrepreneurial landscape and whether the two founders walked the talk on their self-proclaimed recommendations. 💡 Some of the results indeed were visionary for the time, while other principles seem to have been forgotten...It's not just a look back; it's a conversation about enduring principles in the ever-changing world of entrepreneurship. We wish all our listeners delightful holidays and a happy new year! Chapters: (0:08) Intro to the episode (3:50) First impressions of the thesis from Gerrit (7:25) First impressions of the thesis from Dries (11:50) Discussing visionary propositions: Spend a tremendous amount of time and for market research (16:25) Hire people who have failed (23:30) Be open with your idea (26:30) Put your ego aside and let your ideas flow (35:00) Never solely rely on a regulatory environment for an advantage (42:05) Discussing ironic propositions: Do not steal ideas and pay attention to the terms of your employment contract (47:40) Try to get an educational background and an experience that support the venture (55:06) Choose an opportunity that does not have a lot of competition (1:06:50) How would such a master thesis look like today?
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/29007268
info_outline
EP 83 - From strategy consultant to Global Top 20 LinkedIn Creator with Jeroen Kraaijenbrink
12/13/2023
EP 83 - From strategy consultant to Global Top 20 LinkedIn Creator with Jeroen Kraaijenbrink
Strap in for a riveting new episode on 'The Most Awesome Founder Podcast' as our hosts, Dries Faems and Gerrit McGowan, are joined by strategic mastermind Jeroen Kraaijenbrink. Jeroen shares captivating real-life experiences that he acquired while working on strategic matters with all kinds of clients from the corporate and startup world. Coming from an academic background, he gives insights into his method-oriented approach to strategy and how he aligns his work style with the customers. But that's not all – with a staggering 200k+ followers on LinkedIn and a spot in the Top 20 Global Content Creators, Jeroen is not just a strategist but a digital influencer powerhouse. Hungry for tips on amplifying your online presence? He's got insider secrets you won't want to miss. If you are into strategy, make sure to catch this episode. Stay tuned! Chapters: (0:09) Dries introduction to our guest, Jeroen Kraaijenbrink (0:52) Jeroen's professional trajectory in a nutshell (3:53) The role of Jeroen's academic background in his consultancy work (06:35) Gerrit's perspective on educational experience (09:59) Does consulting work for corporates and startups differ? (15:17) How does Jeroen's strategy approach relate to entrepreneurial iterative processes like the lean startup concept? (19:00) The most predominant strategy myths (21:57) Dealing with diverging stakeholders (24:52) Avoiding being the "scapegoat" as a strategy consultant (25:57) Jeroen's self-help book "No more bananas" (30:03) The power of storytelling in strategy consulting (37:26) Jeroen's success on LinkedIn (43:17) LinkedIn as a channel for customer acquisition (48:15) Authenticity and topics on LinkedIn (54:19) Jeroen's recommendations Jeroen’s recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/29016928
info_outline
EP 82 - Should startups promote a social vision with Murat Tarakci and Timo van Balen
11/29/2023
EP 82 - Should startups promote a social vision with Murat Tarakci and Timo van Balen
This episode is for everybody who wants to get a bit nerdy with top-notch entrepreneurship research. We are excited to welcome the two renowned scholars Murat Tarakci & Timo van Balen to gain insights into their electrifying research about how startups with a social vision struggle to attract job talent. Gerrit’s trajectory perfectly complements this academic understanding as the founder of a nonprofit startup and inevitably leads to fascinating discussions. Revisiting some of our most commonly discussed topics, like message-market-fit, communication strategies for startups, and the struggles of building a solid recruiting strategy, but this time with the sound support of top-level research. Chapters: (0:10) Intro to the episode (1:20) Murat’s background story (2:40) Timo’s background story (4:38) Why did Timo join a startup after his PhD? (6:10) Topic and motivation for the paper (10:55) Gerrit’s view on the social vision (15:20) The message depends on the audience (18:00) The different pools for applicants (21:10) Employees as „rational actors“? (26:08) Discussing the results that a stronger social purpose leads to fewer applicants for the startup (30:51) Using other channels to lure applicants (34:20) Storytelling in communicating social visions (39:25) Implications for practitioners when formulating a communication strategy (43:05) Message market fit (47:00) How do Mura & Timo integrate the results into their teaching? (51:58) Faking a social purpose (58:56) Murat’s recommendation (1:00:40) Timo’s podcast recommendation Murat’s recommendation Timo’s recommenation
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/28786083
info_outline
EP 81 - Creating and leading scaleups in the Middle East with Muhammad Chbib
11/15/2023
EP 81 - Creating and leading scaleups in the Middle East with Muhammad Chbib
The 81st edition of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast with Dries & Gerrit is just around the corner! We delve into the fascinating world of startups and cross-cultural business dynamics with our guest, experienced founder, business angel and WHU alum, Muhammad Chbib. Muhammad shares his valuable insights and experiences in the startup world and describes his journey from Germany to Dubai and back again and, how it has shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and the lessons he has learned along the way. 🚀 Muhammad's expertise and perspective shed light on the significance of building connections, navigating cultural nuances, and seizing opportunities in Arabic markets. 🌟 He also emphasizes the need to adapt and respect the ways of the culture in order to succeed. His critical perspective on some aspects of how he feels a colonist mentality by Westerners sparks a lively discussion that is now more relevant than ever. Take advantage of this thought-provoking conversation! Chapters: (0:09) Intro to the episode (1:11) Muhammad’s background story (4:58) From a startup to a consulting mindset (10:40) What was the motivation for venturing into the Middle East (17:22) How did the startup landscape in the Middle East look like back then? (21:45) Navigating through region-specific relationships, dynamics and networks (28:53) What is Muhammad’s view on the Berlin startup scene? (33:00) What are control freak investors, and how do they relate to the lack of diversity in the German mindset? (36:40) Underrepresentation of people with an immigration background in the German startup scene (40:25) German VC getting active in the Middle East (47:20) Different norms & values and how to deal with it (56:45) Working in other cultures as a Westerner (58:10) What is a „First 1000 days guy“? (01:03:40) Muhammad's media recommendations Muhammad's podcast recommendation:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/28643983
info_outline
EP 80 – Inspiration session #10: Startup subsidies, lean impact and dark side of AI
11/01/2023
EP 80 – Inspiration session #10: Startup subsidies, lean impact and dark side of AI
We are excited to unveil the 10th installment of the inspiration session, featuring our co-hosts GerritMcGowan and Dries Faems. They discuss a captivating mixture of different topics in the realm of entrepreneurship from an academic and a practitioner perspective, such as: • Why aren't there more sustainability-driven unicorns, although badly needed • Which startups get supported by government grants • What the academic research on the controversial topic of hybrid work yielded • The next big thing on the horizon: quantum computing And have you always wanted to know how to create the boyfriend/girlfriend of your dreams? Then, gear up for a rollercoaster of knowledge, reflection, and pure amusement! You won't want to miss this exhilarating episode!🔍 Chapters: (0:10) Intro of Gerrit (2:30) What is something that made Dries learn? (3:40) Did Gerrit apply for governmental funding for one of his startups? (7:45) Subsidy entrepreneurs: An inquiry into firms seeking public grants (15:40) Which startups should get supported by grants? (23:15) What is something that made Gerrit learn? (28:23) Why aren’t there more social unicorns? (37:15) What could Gerrit have done differently for his own social venture? (41:58) The growing importance of social ventures (47:55) Something that made Dries learn (55:28) Deep dive into the paper: How hybrid working from home works out (1:04:55) Something that made Gerrit learn (1:11:30) Are we prepared for quantum computing? Did we learn something from AI? (1:20:31) Something that made Dries laugh (1:27:40) Something that made Gerrit laugh (1:36:30) Outro Discussed sources: Something that made you learn: . Something that made you learn: Something that made you laugh:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/28475018
info_outline
EP 79 - Mitigating Startup Founder Burnout with Ute Stephan
10/18/2023
EP 79 - Mitigating Startup Founder Burnout with Ute Stephan
In today's episode 79, Dries & Gerrit explore the toll it can take on a founder's mental health whilst trying to materialize his entrepreneurial dream into a reality, and they have an excellent guest for that matter: Prof. Ute Stephan, a renowned entrepreneurship scholar from King's College and an outstanding expert on entrepreneurial wellbeing and founder stress. The three plunge into the fascinating topic of how entrepreneurs' wellbeing directly impacts the success of their ventures and the vital role strict leisure time management can play. 💼 How can one implement coping strategies to avoid getting caught in a cycle of overwork and why meticulously tracking health and fitness can be a curse and blessing? 📆 Dive into a captivating episode where personal journeys intertwine with cutting-edge entrepreneurship research, all shining a spotlight on mental health. Check on yourself and, if you can, on others! Chapters: (0:08) Introduction of Dries (0:50) Ute's backstory (3:53) What drove Ute as a psychologist to research Entrepreneurs? (7:22) Is wellbeing and mental health a "first world problem"? (10:15) What are overarching meta-analysis results regarding entrepreneur's wellbeing? (13:10) Being in control vs being "employed" by a VC (16:25) How does growing responsibility impact a founder's mental health (19:20) Effect of the Covid pandemic (21:14) Strategies to deal with the stressful challenges (26:48) Motivation and goals as coping strategies (31:20) How did Gerrit notice that his mental health was deteriorating? (35:25) Which techniques does Gerrit apply today? (41:10) Generation Z and the relationship to hustle culture (44:28) The culture of failure in different nations and how that relates to distress (46:50) Drugs to mitigate stress or depression (49:30) How to not get stressed by avoiding stress (55:00) Ute's book recommendations Ute‘s book recommendation: Further resources:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/28341431
info_outline
EP 78 - Empowering Women in Finance with Dana Menzel
10/04/2023
EP 78 - Empowering Women in Finance with Dana Menzel
We are over the moon to have Dana Menzel on board for episode 78 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast. Dana's entrepreneurial path is impressively versatile. She started as a goldsmith, mastering the art of this filigree craft, and turned this into her first thriving jewellery business. Now, she is leaping into a whole new area, and we are excited to hear about this! With roots spanning across international borders, Dana is carving out a space for herself as a female entrepreneur. She talks about the most significant challenges as a female entrepreneur in Germany, how she masters them, and what qualities she looks for in a co-founder. An MBA and WHU accelerator graduate, Dana speaks to her education's instrumental role in equipping her with the tools and networks vital in breathing life into her idea of a platform born from a desire to uplift women through financial literacy and independence since her master's thesis provided some shocking insights in that regard. Chapters: (0:10) Dries introduction to the episode (0:40) Dana's background (3:40) The intention of doing a goldsmith apprenticeship (5:30) How did Dana pivot from a goldsmith to a more business life (10:45) Dana talks about her newest endeavor, "Sayhitofinance " (13:50) How the idea came to pass: women often don't deal with their finances themselves (16:10) Community-building aspect of Sayhitofinance and how it benefits women (21:15) What is the most challenging thing about being a female entrepreneur in Germany? (27:55) The choice of being a solo founder and what a perfect co-founder would look like for Dana (29:53) Advice for female entrepreneurs from Dana's own experiences (32:05) Dana's recommendations for podcast & books Dana‘s recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/28210691
info_outline
EP 77 - From founder to unicorn angel investor with Oskar Hartmann
09/20/2023
EP 77 - From founder to unicorn angel investor with Oskar Hartmann
We're kicking off our new season with a bang! A dive deep into the world of angel investing with none other than Oskar Hartmann.🌍✨ His outstanding track record: 14 (!) of his startup investments have reached unicorn status, he's one of the 1000 wealthiest Germans, and in his spare time? He cracks world records in indoor rowing 🥴🏆 Alongside our brilliant hosts Dries Faems & Gerrit McGowan, Oskar unveils the intricacies of spotting unicorns, what he learns from Olympic champions, and how to source for business opportunities from Africa to South America 🦄🚀 By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with a treasure trove of insights into the culture of risk, pinpointing unparalleled opportunities and the magic of unconventional thinking. Let Oskar's unparalleled experiences and tales inspire you to transcend your limits and chase excellence! 💡🌟 Chapters: (0:00) Dries introduction to our guest, Oskar Hartmann (0:45) Oskar's journey from an "explorer" to an entrepreneur (5:35) Getting ideas from other markets to detect current trends (10:20) Is the US still a role model for entrepreneurship ideation? (14:28) Germany's role in the global founder sphere (18:48) Oskar's explanation for his huge investment success (27:48) Accessing international investment opportunities and avoiding adverse selection (32:55) Oskar's rationale behind his investing decision (37:40) Investing in a team rather than a market or an idea? (42:28) Oskar's extreme recreational activities (48:35) Recovery time while building companies and future endeavors (53:45) Oskar's book recommendations Oskar‘s book recommendation:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/28066545
info_outline
EP 76 - The art of balancing startups and life with Björn Maronde
09/06/2023
EP 76 - The art of balancing startups and life with Björn Maronde
Get ready for an inspiring conversation with successful entrepreneur Björn Maronde in the newest episode of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast! Björn shares his personal background, the pivotal moments that led him to entrepreneurship, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. 📚💡 You'll discover how an executive MBA played a role in shaping his entrepreneurial career and how he navigated the challenges of starting a business with a close friend. 🤝 Björn also reveals the importance of product-market fit and the challenges of expanding into multiple markets simultaneously. 🚀 So, whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain valuable insights and strategies that will propel your startup journey. Chapters: (0:20) Dries introduction to the episode (0:40) Björn's entrepreneurship trajectory and the influence of doing an MBA (2:45) Capabilities and skills required for founding (4:00) Björn's first entrepreneurial activities (6:25) Real estate crowdfunding platform Exporo (8:30) Founding a startup with your best friend (11:40) Björn's most recent startup Smace (16:25) Learnings as a serial entrepreneur (17:55) Scaling and product market fit (21:30) Balancing private and business life as an entrepreneur (24:30) Advantages of an experienced founder (27:30) Generative AI in Björn’s startup (29:25) Participating in an accelerator as a more experienced founder (32:00) Objectives and challenges with current product market fit (34:00) Advice for Björn's younger self (36:15) Björn’s book recommendation Björn’s book recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/27946176
info_outline
EP 75 – From e-commerce wunderkind to successful investor with Roman Kirsch
08/23/2023
EP 75 – From e-commerce wunderkind to successful investor with Roman Kirsch
Our next guest on the Most Awesome Founder podcast: Roman Kirsch! 🎙️ Roman will be sharing his high-paced entrepreneurial journey, characterized by his story of perseverance, hard work, and why sometimes naivety can be beneficial. Discover Roman’s passion for building new ventures that led to various well-known and flourishing startups but also some non-successes and how he dealt with them. Roman also discusses his insights from switching from an entrepreneur to an investor role, the importance of a startup’s idea vs. its team, and why serial founding can almost be addictive. 💉 We hope this unique founder story will stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit of our listeners! Chapters: (0:55) Intro of Dries (2:05) Roman's entrepreneurial start (7:35) The process of Roman's first founding (12:20) Acquiring funding in a recession (14:30) Getting first funding (20:00) Doing a financially lucrative exit as a 23-year-old (25:40) Experiences from moving as an entrepreneur to a more corporate environment (29:30) The difference between American and German startup culture (32:32) The story behind Amorelie (36:45) What does it mean to have a focus? (38:35) Lessons of Casacanda for future endeavors? (42:03) The emotional side of being an e-commerce wunderkind (47:15) Raising as a successful entrepreneur (48:25) The end of Lesara and fighting against subsidized competitors (55:20) Failing for the first time as a wunderkind (58:45) Would you invest in a failed entrepreneur? (1:01:05) Roman's latest entrepreneurial activities (1:08:40) Team, idea and pivoting (1:10:55) Roman's role as entrepreneur and investor (1:15:00) Roman's recommendations for books (1:17:30) Roman’s book recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/27761835
info_outline
EP 74 – Inspiration session #9: Golf, Gender and Generative AI
08/02/2023
EP 74 – Inspiration session #9: Golf, Gender and Generative AI
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 9th edition of the inspiration session with Gerrit and Dries! 🎉 They will once more discuss diverse and thought-provoking topics, combining insights from an academic and a practitioner perspective. What are the legal implications of AI-generated inventions, which entrepreneurs should consider entering a venture studio and why women should be careful if their boss plays golf? These and other questions will be answered, so be prepared to learn, think, and laugh. Don't miss this captivating episode! 🔍 Discussed sources: . Chapters: (1:20) Intro of Gerrit (2:20) Something that made Dries learn: Blinded by the person in idea evaluation? (3:40) Most prominent cognitive biases when evaluating pitches (9:45) Practical takeaways from that paper (16:15) Something that made Gerrit learn: Can AI invent? (20:40) Should AI inventions get protected by patents? (22:10) Is AI the tool or the inventor? (30:00) Something that made Dries think: Hitting the grass ceiling (33:30) Potential exclusive „grass ceilings“ in entrepreneurship (39:30) Female representation in German companies (43:40) Something that made Gerrit think: Is a venture studio right for you? (49:30) Why are venture studios more common in Europe? (51:20) Four types of venture studios (56:30) Potential choosing criteria regarding venture studios (1:05:30) Something that made Dries laugh: ChatGPT’s behavior changing over time (1:12:25) Something that made Gerrit laugh: four strange but successful startups (1:22:30) Outro
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/27616986
info_outline
EP 73 - The impact of AI on Startups, VC and Society with Frank Thelen
07/19/2023
EP 73 - The impact of AI on Startups, VC and Society with Frank Thelen
🎧 We are thrilled to announce a new episode of The Most Awesome Founder Podcast, featuring one of Germany's most prominent deep tech investors, Frank Thelen. In this wide-ranging discussion, Frank shares his perspective on how AI and generative technologies are beginning to reshape the startup and venture capital landscapes. 🚀 While AI promises to turbocharge innovation and efficiency, Frank cautions that many startups are simply slapping an "AI startup" label on their pitch decks without true breakthroughs. Real advances require deep research and teams willing to eat glass for years before product-market fit. We also dive into the opportunities and limitations of using AI in deal flow analysis and startup evaluation. While AI can help sort prospects, Frank emphasizes that human judgment around founding teams and markets remains critical - not something algorithms can replicate (yet!). 🤖💡 With his characteristic candor, Frank voices his views on creating a thriving European tech ecosystem and why he engages in spirited LinkedIn debates on issues like work-life balance and how to balance innovation with ethics. If you're an investor, founder, or tech enthusiast, this thought-provoking episode is not to be missed. Tune in across platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify to hear our free-wheeling exchange. After listening, we'd love to hear your key takeaways in the comments! 🌟 Chapters (0:00) Teaser (1:00) Introduction by Dries (2:15) Frank’s Background (4:00) Do you already see specific changes in how startups are working with generative AI? (6:10) Buzz Word Bingo with AI (6:37) Are there any revolutionary startups within AI? (8:50) Are you scaling back your investments in AI startups? (12:12) Where is room for creating an unfair advantage in AI startups? (15:00) Your perspective on how AI will transform the venture capital world (18:30) How can you leverage the data from software to create an unfair advantage? (21:00) Do you think the whole value chain of venture capital will be automated from sourcing to investing? (24:10) Will there be a shift in how funds are set up? (27:40) What is your opinion on how regulation regarding AI in the EU is moving? (31:26) Do you see regulatory risks? (33:25) How should the tension between the opinions on data regulations be dealt with? (36:30) Why do you post about heated topics on LinkedIn? (41:30) What is your rationale behind posting on social media? (45:00) Book, Podcast, and Music recommendations (45:50) Who will win the fight, Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg? (47:00) Thank you for listening! Frank's podcast recommendation:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/27484383
info_outline
EP 72 – Building a startup as a multicultural entrepreneur with Kiran Banakar
07/05/2023
EP 72 – Building a startup as a multicultural entrepreneur with Kiran Banakar
🔥🚀 We're thrilled to spotlight the incredible journey of Kiran Banakar, one of our founders from this year's WHU accelerator batch. From grappling with the challenge of finding friends to scaling the heights of entrepreneurship, Kiran's story is nothing short of inspiring. 🌟 Kiran will be peeling back the curtain on his success as an entrepreneur in Germany, sharing the invaluable lessons he's gleaned from his tenure as a patent attorney and revealing how his company is harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize customer relationship building. 🤖💡 But that's not all! Kiran will also delve into his personal experiences, growing up in a multicultural environment, and how it has shaped his unique approach to leadership. 🌍👨💼 Don't miss out on this opportunity to hear Kiran's story and extract precious insights that could be the game-changer in your entrepreneurial journey. Tune in, get inspired, and let's accelerate together! 🚀💼🎯 Chapters: (0:40) Intro to our guest Kiran Banakar (2:02) Kiran's upbringing in Germany (3:30) Balancing two cultures in your childhood (5:50) Kiran's trajectory at RWTH (7:45) What does a patent attorney do, and what experiences Kiran had while working as one? (12:45) From investing interest to a leap to entrepreneurship (16:45) What does Kiran's startup do? (19:20) The pain point compelling addresses (24:20) AI as an integral element of compelling (27:10) The experience as a multicultural entrepreneur in Germany (32:03) Communication strategies with investors (34:15) What does Kiran learn in the WHU accelerator? (42:10) Kiran's book and Podcast recommendations Guest recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/27363063
info_outline
EP 71 – Leveraging data to build an augmented venture capital approach with Dr. Andre Retterath
06/21/2023
EP 71 – Leveraging data to build an augmented venture capital approach with Dr. Andre Retterath
We are thrilled to welcome Andre Retterath to episode #71 of our podcast. Andre is one of the leading figures in disrupting the traditional VC landscape by implementing data-driven approaches to improve decision-making. So tune in to hear interesting use cases, why the days of purely gut-based decisions investing seem to be over and what the future might look like. If you want to not miss out on any new developments, you can also check out Andre’s newsletter: Chapters: (0:50) Intro from Dries to our guest Dr. Andre Retterath (2:05) Andre talks about his professional career (4:35) How could Andre leverage his Ph.D. for his later practical career? (7:45) Andre talks about the challenges of disrupting the VC industry (12:03) Data as a tool to level the playing field (17:05) How to use data analytics in entrepreneurship as an outlier game (22:10) What kind of data quality does one need to do data analytics in VC (28:10) The relationship between VC strategy, market and data (34:10) How good is the predictive power of a data-driven approach that’s reliant on historical data (40:35) Future developments of machine learning approaches (45:10) How does Earlybird specifically use LLMs (large language models)? (49:10) The usage of LLMs in general (51:40) Is it better to invest in a failed founder or one that never failed before? (53:25) Does founder education matter? (55:05) Does diversity matter in founder or investor teams? (57:45) Can a data-driven approach also mitigate co-founder conflict? (1:03:00) Andre's book recommendations Guest recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/27212109
info_outline
EP 70 – Unleashing Pet Health: Crafting a Customer-Focused Growth Journey with Stan Nazarenus & Alex Thelen
06/07/2023
EP 70 – Unleashing Pet Health: Crafting a Customer-Focused Growth Journey with Stan Nazarenus & Alex Thelen
Join us again for an exciting episode of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast as we dive into the captivating story of Alex and Stan, the founders of high-growth startup Mammaly, which tackles the complex issue of pet health. Alex and Stan share how their shared vision led to a thriving direct-to-consumer business model and how collaborations are essential for their product development. Get ready for insights on customer understanding and hypotheses testing while rapidly scaling a startup. Take advantage of this fascinating episode packed with hands-on advice and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. We hope you have as much fun listening to the episode as we had to produce it! Chapters: (1:08) Welcome to Alex and Stan (1:50) How did Alex and Stan meet? (3:30) How did Stan choose Alex as a co-founder? (5:55) The importance of having a shared vision (8:53) The pain point behind Mammaly (10:50) Mammaly’s collaborations with veterinarians and experts in product development (15:35) How can you acquire the knowledge necessary to survive in this industry? (17:05) Why is Mammaly a D2C business model? (19:30) Understanding customer needs (22:05) The process of hypothesis testing for Mammaly and the use of A/B testing (28:05) Hypothesis testing regarding pricing and willingness to pay (31:15) Increasing customer understanding with generative AI (33:35) Challenges in navigating a fast-growing startup (38:15) Stand explains the rule of 3 and 10 (41:15) What are skills that would be helpful to have learned at WHU (44:28) The lack of content on organizational structure and communication in business classes (47:50) Recommendations for books and podcasts (49:15) Alex advises on a healthy balance for peak performance (51:00) Podcast & book recommendations from Stan (54:00) Outro Guest recommendations:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/27056370
info_outline
EP 69- Building platforms to disrupt the healthcare industry with Philipp Buhr
05/24/2023
EP 69- Building platforms to disrupt the healthcare industry with Philipp Buhr
🎙️ Get ready to tune into today's new episode of The Most Awesome Founder Podcast with Philipp Buhr, the co-founder of marta! marta is a platform that transparently enables families to match their elderly family members with suitable caregivers. Beginning with stories from Philipps entrepreneurial childhood, enabling him to be the co-founder he is today, the episode advances into deeper topics associated with the healthcare market. Here is a sneak peek of the topics Dries and Philipp further indulge into: 🤝 How Philipp and his co-founder developed their idea and shaped it into reality 💪 The challenges faced when growing companies 🚀 How the possibilities of digitally disrupting the healthcare market look like We look forward to hearing what you think of the episode! Chapters (0:54) Intro to the episode by Dries (2:20) Tell us something about your childhood Philipp (4:10) Philipp talks about his first entrepreneurial steps of making door-to-door sales (5:30) What learnings did you make when making door-to-door sales? (7:10) What did you learn and get out of being a management associate (10:50) What were the advantages of founding with another WHU alumni? (14:05) What does marta do? (16:30) How did you get to the topic of founding marta? (20:00) How do you address safety in marta? (22:30) Philipp describes the caregiver-to-family connections in more detail (26:30) What is the biggest challenge in a fast-growing company? (28:30) What type of marketing channels do you use? (30:00) What advantages do your partners get? (34:00) How to stay ahead of competitors? (35:30) Why is it so hard to digitally disrupt the healthcare industry? (36:45) Regulations are challenges, however, also big opportunities (39:00) Where is the digital health industry moving towards? (42:22) Do you think you will move towards only daycare? (45:44) Discussing geographical dependence of business models (46:00) Books and podcast recommendations (48:30) Discussion of struggles with influential writers: book content vs. life actions (50:52) Thank you Philipp! (52:00) The importance of the healthcare sector (55:10) Outro by Dries
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/26924316
info_outline
EP 68 – Mastering the Art of Founder Communication with Jag Singh & Oliver Aust
05/10/2023
EP 68 – Mastering the Art of Founder Communication with Jag Singh & Oliver Aust
🎧 We are thrilled to welcome (Managing Director @ ) and (CEO & Founder @) for a second time to the show! This time we discuss their newest book where they share essential aspects for founder communication mastery. Tune in to find out why communication is the biggest challenge for a growing company and why startups need to have a compelling message market fit. We hope you enjoy this episode! Chapters (0:46) Welcome by Gerrit (2:20) Introduction to our guests Jag & Oliver (6:20) How did they have the idea to write a book? (9:30) What kind of book is this? (11:30) The concept of message-market-fit (16:00) What is the essential definition of message-market-fit (17:20) Are there examples of companies with a good message market fit (20:00) Five points of message mastery (22:50) Listening to understand (26:05) Are there certain types of personas that can strive to master the key aspects? (30:55) Decisive factors in storytelling (35:40) What makes a great brand? (40:31) Personal branding for founders (46:20) WeWork and Adam Neumann as examples of personal branding (48:30) Communicating to build a team and a company culture (54:50) The danger of having a strong company culture (58:35) Hire for talent or for culture fit? (01:02:00) The biggest challenge for a growing company: communication (01:03:45) Jag explains why companies move with the speed of trust (01:04:50) The customer is the hero (01:07:05) Why are not more startups proactive about their current problems? (01:11:20) Startups announcing layoffs the right way (01:15:00) Customers don’t buy what you are selling; they buy the outcome (01:17:05) Culture is destiny (01:20:40) Outro by Gerrit
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/26757726
info_outline
EP 67 - Scaling a fintech startup while navigating regulations with Justus Schmueser
04/26/2023
EP 67 - Scaling a fintech startup while navigating regulations with Justus Schmueser
Should you work at a consultancy before founding? How is communication within international founding teams? And what skills and mindset do you really need to become a successful founder? Today's episode features our guest ! He is a former WHU bachelor student and completed his master of finance at MIT. Here he met his co-founder and today is leading the company , which in 2022 was renowned for being one of the fastest-growing startups in Germany. Tune in to get answers to those burning questions and find out how Justus has grown through his founder career, and how you can implement those life lessons into your own founding journey. Chapters: (0:06) Teaser (0:58) Introduction by Dries (2:27) Dires welcomes Justus (3:10) Justus reflects on his time at MIT and compares it to studying at the WHU (4:30) Justus describes the advantages of having a diverse student group (6:30) How Justus experienced his time at McKinsey (7:51) How did the time at a big consultancy firm help you as a founder? (9:40) Would you recommend students go into consulting before starting as a founder? (13:00) Justus analyses the startup world (16:00) Justus explains what Kadmos does (18:15) Did you focus on a particular industry at first? (21:05) What are the most significant challenges you are facing as a growing firm? (24:36) Opinion on remote/on-site working (26:30) Do you make sure of this on-site working mindset when you are hiring people? (29:30) how do you navigate such a highly regulatory environment whilst growing quickly? (33:00) How do you deal with the tension with lawyers in your company? (35:00) Is the current banking situation affecting your business? (38:41) What has been the most challenging for you in the last two years? (44:00) What behavior did you change from the 360-degree feedback you did in the company? (46:30) Recommendations for books, podcasts and music (49:00) Thank you for participating Justus (49:25) Thank you from Dries to listeners
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/26633637
info_outline
Ep 66 - Inspiration session #8: Does generative AI decrease inequality - the future of VC
04/12/2023
Ep 66 - Inspiration session #8: Does generative AI decrease inequality - the future of VC
Get ready for today's episode 66 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast! As always, the Inspiration Session will discuss topics that made Dries and Gerrit think, learn, and laugh. Here are some exciting sneak peeks of the topics explored within the episode: - What impact do prominent Venture Capitalists have on replacing startup founders over time? - The four main challenges Venture Capital is facing, calling on the question of whether VCs need to change - Generative Artificial Intelligence and its impact on productivity Take advantage of this thought-provoking and informative episode! Looking forward to hearing your opinion in the comments! :) Discussed sources: . . . Chapters (0:03) Teaser by Gerrit (1:14) Introduction by Gerrit (2:30) Reflection on the last episode with Alex Osterwalder (3:20) Dries starts with something that made him think: Should we keep founders as a CEO or replace them? (5:00) What is Gerrit's opinion on this? (7:00) The founder's role changes over time (7:33) paper discovers: would prominent VCs more likely to replace the founder or not? (8:30) Gerrit answers the question with his own experience (9:20) Dries presents the paper's findings (12:45) Gerrit explains the paper's findings with real-life examples (15:30) Gerrit introduces the topic that made him think: Why VC needs to change (19:43) Gerrit deep dives into the four main reasons for VCs to change (25:10) Dries' opinion on the VC topic (27:04) Gerrit opens discussion on another component: the structure of VCs (35:40) What made Dries think: academic research on the experimental evidence of AI on productivity (37:30) Gerrit's pos & neg experience with open AI in daily life (40:00) Dries explains the background of the study (43:30) Dries elaborates on where he uses generative AI (47:00) Gerrit discusses the usage of generative AI (48:20) Futuristic usage of generative AI (49:00) Gerrit goes into a personal story of using generative AI (51:50) What did Gerrit learn: challenges around AI to make it compatible (54:30) A societal challenge Dries faced with generative AI (56:20) Gerrit dives into the six challenges the paper identified (59:00) Geopolitical setting on generative AI (1:03:25) 6th point of Gerrit's paper (1:05:00) Discussing the paper Gerrit introduced (1:07:15) Can we still harness AI? (1:10:26) something that made Dries laugh: AI usage (1:13:40) Do you think AI will be able to predict future events for you? (1:17:03) something that made Gerrit laugh: How can people re-program themselves to lose the Monday blues (1:18:15) Why do people hate Mondays? (1:18:30) People have routines: how we can get rid of the Monday blues (1:23:30) What Dries does not hate Mondays (1:25:00) Two critical points to staying less stressed & enjoying Monday (1:26:15) What health metrics does Gerrit track? (1:27:45) Reflection on the episode by Gerrit and thank you!
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/26513538
info_outline
EP 65 - The art of hypothesis testing in startups with Alex Osterwalder
03/29/2023
EP 65 - The art of hypothesis testing in startups with Alex Osterwalder
🎙️ Want to know how to optimize your hypothesis testing and find out how the experts do it? Tune in to today’s engaging podcast, where Alex Osterwalder, the creator of the Business Model Canvas and co-founder of Strategyzer, is interviewed. Ranked no. 4 of the top 50 management thinkers worldwide and visiting professor at IMD, Alex is known for simplifying the strategy development process and turning complex concepts into digestible visual models. Within the episode they dive into the art of testing and developing hypotheses to give you the most valuable insights, indulging in deep dives into topics such as: Why hypotheses should focus on desirability rather than feasibility? The relevance of leveraging AI in hypothesis testing How to test hypotheses without direct contact with the desired data sources? Testing hypotheses in corporate or B2B environments Plus, stick around for some great advice Alex would have given his younger self! You don’t want to miss out on this thought-provoking conversation! P.S. The YouTube video can be very beneficial to see the great visuals Alex creates during the podcast to make the content more digestible. Thank you for listening to our podcast! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and stay tuned for more exciting episodes :) Chapters: (0:45) Gerrit Introduces Dries Faems and Alex Osterwalder (1:45) Alex tells his personal story of where he came from today (5:30) What does a hypothesis in a startup context mean? (10:55) Why is it the case that hypotheses should be directed at desirability rather than feasibility? (13:50) What signals in people do you look for when you're testing your hypothesis to support it? (17:55) What is your advice for people that don't have access to data points they ideally want to have? (20:20) How to do hypothesis testing in the B2B environment? (25:05) Interesting fact on first-time entrepreneurs (26:40) What are your experiences testing hypotheses in a corporate environment? (31:40) How would you advise people to find the time to stop the venture process? (35:45) How to prepare a founder's mindset for failure? (39:40) Do you see opportunities for leveraging generative A.I. in the testing? (42:20) Using A.I. for customer interviews (44:45) Will we still need human interviewees in the future? (46:20) Understanding human behavior and interacting with technology (47:30) What has changed around the business model canvas since you created it? (53:10) Do you see a point of unity of all the tools creating a one-stop shop? (56:30) What advice would you give your younger self? (58:15) What books do you have on your bedside table? (59:20) What's in your playlist? (1:00:10) Thank you Alex for being there! (1:00:40) Outro by Gerrit
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/26365632
info_outline
EP 64 - How to screw up your startup: 5 financial mistakes with Sven Greulich
03/15/2023
EP 64 - How to screw up your startup: 5 financial mistakes with Sven Greulich
Do you know about all the different ways to screw up your startup’s financials? Managing investments for your startup is bound to come with difficulties and requires a lot of learning by doing. However, you can learn how to avoid these mistakes beforehand! Tune in to today's episode and listen to Sven, Gerrit and Dries discuss: - Both sides of the financing table - What type of red flags to identify in investors - Do you get in bed with the devil? - Equity shares in university spinouts - And many other interesting topics! Let us know what you think of the episode in the comments! We hope you enjoyed :) Chapters: (1:00) Intro by Gerrit (2:37) Giving away too much equity too early – how does it make you feel Sven? (7:30) Gerrit describes his experience and examples of giving away equity too early (9:45) Sven brings in the corporate viewpoint on equity splits (10:41) Gerrit dives into external capital (11:33) How much equity should a university have at a spin-off (15:00) Gerrits first venture and equity offers by angels experience (17:50) Angels are the real risk takers (21:31) Movement more towards the US regarding equity? (25:00) Convertible loans are an amazing tool (25:25) There are 3 main economic levers (26:50) Sven, what do you recommend when collecting tickets to avoid a mess? (28:55) Sven, what are the mistakes you see in the boards of startups? (30:13) What makes a good board? (31:40) Gerrits stories on startup boards (25:30) What good investors would do (36:50) The moral of the story is a good board (38:30) Sven highlights important decisions to make when creating your board (40:40) Do you Sven, as a lawyer see yourself as a helping hand there? (43:00) Gerrit’s advice on how to treat investors coming into your startup (46:30) Sven, what do you say when people come and ask if they should get an investor even if there are many red flags? (50:00) Desperate companies suffer from poor investors (53:41) What happens when you take money from someone you wish you hadn’t? (55:37) Lack of stakeholder management when negotiating financing management (59:40) Sven, how do you do a rolling close? (1:01:10) Gerrit, have you fallen into the trap of being a bit too arrogant when you give money? (1:05:00) A lot of learning is done by doing (1:07:00) Thank you for listening!
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/26231352
info_outline
EP - 63 How to screw up your startup: 5 human mistakes with Dr. Sven Greulich
03/01/2023
EP - 63 How to screw up your startup: 5 human mistakes with Dr. Sven Greulich
Learn from legal expert Dr. Sven Greulich how to avoid typical founder pitfalls! In episode 63, we are excited to introduce Dr. Sven Greulich to you, who elaborates on the main pitfalls the Orrick Legal Ninja Series identified. To give you a little insight, here are the first two problems discussed: Not thinking about founder team dynamics and founder departures Creating an unreflect equity split There will always be conflicts that arise throughout the founding process. Whether those occur because you believe in deserving more equity, since you had the founding idea, or you are struggling to retain good talent, informing yourself will give you a kick start! Listen to the episode to avoid falling into these common pitfalls. Chapters (0:40) Gerrit Introduction (1:50) F*ck ups founders can do (3:29) Not thinking about team dynamics and founder departures (5:00) Founders don’t think about team dynamics enough (8:10) Gerrit, did you have a vesting agreement? (10:30) Gerrit’s two main key take aways when founding with friends (13:51) How do you feel when two best friends come and want to found together, Sven? (16:05) Sven, should the equity split decision be equal? (22:39) Gerrit’s take on the typical WHU equity split (23:30) Sven, do you help founders with the equity discussion? (25:30) Startups originating from German technical universities (28:00) Sven, do you have conversations with the Professors to tell them they want too much equity? (30:15) Sven, how do you give founders advice dealing with situations? (33:15) What kind of mistakes do you see, Sven, when startups come to you with participation programs? (38:37) Startups need to have a long-term perspective (40:02) Startups should attract talent just as they maintain talent (41:50) Gerrit, how did you deal with this kind of complexity in participation programs (43:00) What is a bad leaver? (50:00) Should you define bad leavers? (53:20) Should you invest as a person or have a holding entity? (57:20) Should you set up a new holding just for everyone’s individual shares? (59:20) Thank you from Dries!
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/26074551
info_outline
EP 62 - The Mentor Perspective on Startups with Joerg Hellwig
02/01/2023
EP 62 - The Mentor Perspective on Startups with Joerg Hellwig
Today our guest Jörg Hellwig, an active angel investor, is here to share his insights with you! Having had experience as a chief digital officer, co-founder, and investor, he has valuable insights that you can benefit from! The different perspectives Jörg encountered make this podcast so valuable for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn about: - the challenges and benefits of change in corporates - How one of the first B2B marketplaces in the chemical industry was founded - And what it’s like helping inexperienced founders We hope you enjoy the episode and feel free to leave questions in the comments that would interest you in future episodes! (0:58) Intro by Dries (2:50) Jörgs Intro into his life (4:15) What does LANXESS do? (5:40) What was your initial goal at LANXESS? (8:30) What LANXESS is all about summary (9:45) LANXESS is not the typical corporate company (11:00) Board members in corporates (12:25) Main reasons why corporates should not transform themselves (13:00) How did you overcome the resistance to change in the corporate? (17:50) What skills should people have to excel in the digital age? (21:05) What is CheMondis, and why did you found it? (27:30) How was it for competitors using your platform? (30:18) Challenges of building a B2B platform? (34:30) How do you decide into which startups to invest as an angel investor? (36:00) Secret checklist in what people you invest into? (40:30) Where do you see room for improvements in digitalization in startups? (43:30) What advice would you give your younger self? (47:00) Books and Podcast recommendations (48:00) What is your approach to networking? (51:40) Thank you for your insights!
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/25788375
info_outline
EP 61 - Leveraging startup failure learnings with Kilian Karrasch
01/18/2023
EP 61 - Leveraging startup failure learnings with Kilian Karrasch
Do you ever wonder what it's like for your startup to fail? Then you're just right in today's episode #61! In this episode, we're here to listen and learn about Kilian Karrasch's startup failure with Connme. Tune in to Kilian's reflection on what it was like to experience your own startup failure. Within this episode, Kilian shares the deep and valuable learnings he was able to extract. Make sure to listen closely and use the tips Kilian shares, such as choosing the right co-founders, examining the crucial potential risks, staying close to your customer, and so on. We appreciate these interesting insights and hope you can make the most out of them! Link to Kilian’s podcast: Spotify: Apple:
/episode/index/show/mostawesomepodcast/id/25636170