founderstories

EP 33 – Fostering Corporate Innovation with Christoph Krois

In this last episode of Season three of The Most Awesomefounder podcast, we introduce Christoph Krois, mission driven corporate entrepreneur and founder and co-head of the Siemens innovation ecosystem.
Christoph’s mission is both an ambitious and a challenging one, driving innovation projects at one of the world’s largest companies. We’ll be talking open innovation, leveraging the unfair advantages of scale, driving rapid change in naturally slow moving organizations and building innovation teams that can drive change from the inside out.
So if you, like me are fascinated by the topic of corporate entrepreneurship and innovation management, you should really appreciate this episode. Hope you enjoy it!

EP 32 – The Love of the Game with Nathan Evans

In episode 32 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast, we introduce Nathan Evans, Kellogg-WHU eMBA alum, Director of the Founder Institute Munich, and cofounder of eCommerce financing startup, fulfin.

We’re discussing Nathan’s journey from studying physics to the trading floors of London, from FinTech product management to building his own high-growth venture.

This conversation with Nathan was absolutely awesome – full of rich stories, metaphors, and wisdom. We even discussed the similarities between poker and entrepreneurship! So hopefully, you’ll enjoy listening to it as much as we did producing.

EP 30 – WHU Accelerator Team Introduction (2/2)

As in our last episode, we’re doing things a little bit different in this week’s Most Awesome Founder Podcast. Today, we introducing not one founder, but many.

If you tuned in for episode 29, you know that on May 17 we launched the first cohort of the inaugural WHU Startup Accelerator. This intensive 7-week, mentor-driven, and equity-free program provides the best and brightest startups from the WHU community with rocket fuel for their new ventures, all culminating in a July 2 Demo Day event where the teams pitch their ventures to investors.

So today, we introduce the 4 remaining startup teams selected to participate in this year’s accelerator, the founders behind them, the problems they are tackling, and the paths they have chosen to get to market as effectively and efficiently as possible.

This week, you will meet the founders of…

PreMatch – a data-driven content aggregator for non-professional football

CIMK – a deep-tech data platform for investors interested in the Chinese market

About My Horse – a social commerce platform and online community for equestrian-focused fashion

And Happy Burning – a functional beverage company producing a one-of-a-kind brain boosting focus drink.

Each of these teams are led by incredible founders with unique backgrounds – all driven by a profound desire to improve peoples lives. And as you know, there are few things more inspiring than the stories of mission-driven entrepreneurs!

Hope you enjoy this unique episode of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast!

EP 29 – WHU Accelerator Team Introduction (1/2)

We’re doing things a little bit different in this week’s episode of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast. Today we are introducing not one founder, but many.

As you may have heard, on May 17 we are launching the first cohort of the inaugural WHU Startup Accelerator. This intensive 7-week, mentor-driven, and equity-free program provides the best and brightest startups from the WHU community with rocket fuel for their new ventures, culminating in a July 2 Demo Day event where they will pitch their ventures to investors.

So for the next two episodes of our podcast, we’ll be introducing you to the 8 inspiring teams selected to participate in this year’s accelerator, the founders behind the ventures, the problem they are solving, their purpose for being, and the paths they have chosen to get to market as effectively and efficiently as possible.

This week, you will meet the founders of…

Lidrotec – a laser cutting technology that enables semi-conductor producers to reduce material waste by 90-100%

Specter Automation – an artificial intelligence software that helps construction companies integrate digital planning data on the construction site

KitchX – a digital kitchen configuration studio that supports customers from design to installation

Bringwing… a shipping subscription services that is changing the way consumers order from retailers online

Each of these teams are led by incredible founders with unique backgrounds, all driven by profound desires to improve peoples lives. And for those of you that are regular listeners of our podcast, you know that there are few things more inspiring than the stories of mission-driven entrepreneurs.

Hope you enjoy this unique episode of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast!

EP 28 – Design Thinking with Alex Grots

In episode 28 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast, we introduce Alex Grots – entrepreneur, innovator, creator, and expert in the art and craft of Design Thinking. We discuss Alex’s fascinating career from being a paramedic to working in the music industry; from building his first startup during the dot-com bubble to leading world-famous design agency IDEO in Germany; and from co-founding the high-growth IoT-venture ProGlove to advising innovation projects across the globe.

Alex is one fascinating and creative cat, not to mention an incredible storyteller with experiences that could fill volumes! But his easily palatable way of putting people at the center of innovation is what makes him such an incredible guest. I hope you enjoy it!

EP 21 – Tackling Stigmas With Entrepreneurship with Lia Grünhage

In this episode of season 3 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast, we introduce Lia Grünhage, WHU alum and founder of Avery Fertility, a Berlin-based startup that provides both women and men with top-notch education and care around fertility planning and treatment. 

We will be discussing Lia’s founder journey, her evolution from Amorelie management team to becoming a founder herself, the challenge of tackling cultural taboos like sexuality and reproduction and so much more. 

EP 20 – Founding People-Centric Ventures with Robert Ermich

In this episode of season 3 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast, we introduce Robert Ermich, founder of DeinHandy, OnTruck and an exciting new stealth startup in the healthcare space. 

EP 19 – Diversity in Entrepreneurship with Gesa Miczaika

In this episode of season 3 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast, we are sticking with stories highlighting the importance of diversity and entrepreneurship. Today, we introduce Gesa Miczaika, entrepreneur, investor and partner at German’s first all-female VC firm Auxxo.

EP 17 – Linking Artificial Intelligence and Skin Care with Franziska Leonhardt

In this first episode of season 3 of the Most Awesome Founder Podcast, we introduce Franziska Leonhardt – entrepreneur, attorney, WHU alum, and founder of Berlin-based, AI-driven personalised skin care company, AVE + EDAM.

EP 16 – An Engineer’s View of Non-Technical Founders with Teddy Pejoski

In this last episode of season 2, we introduce Teddy Pejoski – entrepreneur, engineer, and guru at bridging the technical / non-technical divide. He is the founder of Crack Your Screen (an app with over 20m downloads), the software studio GSIX, a code academy, an engineer placement and recruiting platform, a funky sock company, and a new “no-code” technology called ENZYME.