Raoul Stubbe, the director of Startup
Please give some concrete examples of what the participants gain:
- The list is long, but here are some examples:
- Understanding of the importance of understanding and meeting the customer's real needs.
- Tools to polish the business idea, develop a satisfactory business model and sales strategy.
- Knowledge of possible market introduction strategies suitable for start-up companies.
- Knowledge of how to protect a business through other ways than patents.
- Knowledge of various finance options, public grants, venture capital, etc.
- A well worked-out business plan and feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and business coaches.
- An investment presentation developed together with a professional presentation coach.
How do you connect your own experiences to Startup?
-I've made my own personal journey where I've had to deal with all the questions we cover in the program, and I've also helped a large number of other startup companies through the startup phase. My background has in many ways contributed to relevant experiences of how technology can be a catalyst, but never a motor, for building successful companies. I started Proximion Fiber Optics in 1998 and as CEO and later CTO participated in building a venture capital-financed international export company, which has 90 employees today. I've thus completed the entire, sometimes painful, journey from thinking as a researcher to thinking as an entrepreneur and business person.
What's your driving force?
I have many driving forces. For instance, I often get fired up by new, exciting people who want to change the world in a positive way. I love learning new things. I get extra riled up if I get to partake in the creative, innovative process. Last, but not least, I think that entrepreneurship and company development are extremely important to create growth and a positive societal development.
