And again a moon and a Meetup has passed in Setlogs’ office – and again a full success!
This time our Digital Innovators made a pilgrimage to the Jahrhunderthaus in Bochum to get informed about the “not so sexy startup topics” at the startupweek:RUHR. Instead of a pure lecture followed by a question and answer session, we had a panel discussion in which the founding experts Prof. Dr. Kai Thierhoff and Jakob Gielen as well as the UVIS founders Katharina Obladen and Tanja Nickel talked.
“We were not only looking for capital but also for advice”.
The girls of UVIS have decided to get Jakob Gielen as their so called “Business Angel” for exactly the reasons mentioned above and thus also for someone who has been working in the business for a long time, having the necessary experience and not only being available for money issues but also with advices. According to Jakob Gielen, it is not only money but also honest feedback that plays an essential role for founders.
“To have a great idea does not mean
to make money with it sometime”
All beginnings are difficult and this became clear within conversation. Nothing was made more beautiful, no illusions were made, the facts were presented realistically. The discussion nevertheless – or precisely just because of this – encouraged many of our guests. Contrary to all prejudices, Jakob Gielen also stressed that the founding movement in Germany is not “as bad as one might think”.
“I have also met Business Devil!”
This statement of Professor Dr. Kai Thierhoff underlines one of the most important points of the evening: Rather a good team than a shit topic stresses the importance of a good dynamics within a team, which is based on mutual confidence and constant communication. It is not only important that founders understand each other, but also all involved and involved partners.
Finally and to summarize the most important points of the discussion, which all participants agreed on:
- Assessing oneself and knowing and testing one’s own limits
- There are no stupid questions and you can only get smarter
- Start early to talk to people and make contacts
- Honest feedback to the founders from the supporters
- It’s important with whom you do business
- And the probably most important fact: It always takes longer than you think!
Not least due to the great feedback of our Digital Innovators we once again have the feeling that everyone got their money’s worth and that we can welcome our loyal guests to our house again next time!
What remains of the “not so sexy startup topics that have to be” is:
It was sexy!
Your Setlogfamily