Founders Camp - a tip for experienced entrepreneurs too

Christoph, the concept of the Founders Camp is to work intensively with experts in a group of up to 15 participants on your own business model, financial planning, target group and more on the basis of the Business Model Canvas. What motivated you to take part - after all, you've been successful on the market for umpteen years?

I have been working for some time on the idea of developing my company further and expanding the science communication division or perhaps spinning it off as a separate service. I had practical questions such as "Is there a staff subsidy?" and "Should I set up a limited company?". So I signed up and thought it was great all round! We really worked together and exchanged experiences - from the participating student to the person with 30 years of professional experience. It was very concrete. We dealt with the most fundamental questions of our companies, for me the program could also be called "Reflection Camp". I can only recommend it to anyone, it really helped me in all areas.

Were you familiar with the Business Model Canvas, the strategic management template used to develop new business models and document existing ones?

Yes, I was aware of that. But I found it rather inaccessible before the Founders Camp and hadn't worked with it. But you can apply it immediately. At the Founders Camp, each segment was presented individually by the professionals and then worked on in a practical way in breakout sessions. My company has grown organically, I never studied business administration. That's why it was great to actively examine every aspect from finance to resource planning and also my own target group. It was results-oriented and helpful.

How did you get on with your entrepreneurial idea for science communication at the Founders Camp?

I have actually learned a lot in all areas: I have clearly sharpened my target group for science communication. My services are primarily aimed at young scientists. I want to provide them with strategic and conceptual support in communicating about their work and work in partnership with them to implement suitable measures. The new brand is currently in the final development phase and will be launched by the end of the year. You can already get an overview of my services here:wisskomm.c-studios.net

I also learned how important key partners are for successful entrepreneurship. At a certain point, you can no longer do everything yourself and are strategically well advised to find partners. I now have a tax consultant from the hannoverimpuls network who also specializes in start-up issues. And: I have strengthened my in-house capacities and hired an employee. Fortunately, I also got to know her at the Founders Camp. It could hardly have gone better!

What did you gain most from the Founders Camp?

Everything was just right: organization, atmosphere and professionalism. I experienced top quality for four days. The group was also great, there were several follower meetings that weren't actually planned. It was very individually organized, so we all took away a lot of learnings. For me, the Founders Camp was my first contact with hannoverimpuls, and I will definitely continue to take advantage of these offers. I have already taken part in the digital consulting day.

How restrictive did you find it that the Founders Camp had to take place digitally?

Not at all. It was a really intensive collaboration, we wouldn't have done it any differently live.