Founding a start-up is like a relationship. Euphoria, shared dreams, long nights - and at some point: conflicts. It's completely normal for co-founders to clash. The question is not if, but when it happens - and how you deal with it.
Starting a company is an exciting adventure - full of ideas, energy and challenges. At the latest when the workload increases and growth picks up speed, founders are faced with one of the most important decisions: hiring their first employees. But especially in this early phase, recruiting is much more than just filling positions - it is a strategic milestone.
The dream of having your own startup often begins with a brilliant idea - but without the right funding, it usually remains a vision. Especially in the early stages, the question quickly arises: Which funding programmes will really help you - and how do you find your way through the jungle of possibilities?
The first steps of a startup are exciting, but also challenging - especially when it comes to convincing investors. Early-stage investors, whether business angels or early-stage venture capital companies, see dozens of pitches every day. What makes them invest in your startup of all things?
Time and again, I meet start-ups that give me a hesitant answer to the question: "Who actually does sales at your company? "I do," is a common answer, "but we want to hire someone who can do it properly." This answer may be honest, but unfortunately it's not a 10/10.
Sales is the backbone of every company. Without paying customers, even the best product is useless.
"We are a tech start-up!" - that sounds ambitious, visionary and somehow cool. But what does that actually mean for you and your start-up in practice? Do you have to develop elaborate technology, build complex systems and integrate the latest AI models right from the start? Or is a simple toolset sometimes enough to test your idea and gain your first customers?
The lean startup method sounds simple on paper: build - measure - learn. In practice, things often look different. Many start-ups spend months on development without really knowing whether their business model will work.
The idea is there. You have identified a problem, have a solution in mind - and now you want to get started. The next step: an MVP, a minimum viable product. Sounds simple, right? In reality, this is exactly where many start-ups stumble.
You have a strong product, an innovative business model and a clear vision - but first impressions count. In the digital world, design and user experience (UX) decide whether interested parties stay, click through - or bounce.