On Your Marks, Get Set, Startup: Third Master Class Gets Underway With 12 Teams
The Gründermotor program is striving to close the gap between startup programs of universities and free enterprise, especially with regard to the investment and growth capacity of young entrepreneur teams. In this way, the economic, scientific and startup scene initiatives of Pioniergeist GmbH and Vector Informatik are combined together.
Following the brilliant finale of the second master class at Vector, master class number three began on April 3, 2020. The 26 participating teams from 18 different universities from all over Baden-Württemberg contended virtually for one of three prizes and a ticket to enter the master class.
As a corporate partner, Vector is naturally on board once again, supporting the 12 startups in their development to investment-readiness.
We spoke to:
Dr. Helmut Schelling, Founding Member of Vector Informatik,
Benefactor & Board Member of the Vector Foundation and Co-Initiator of Gründermotor
Helmut, how was Vector involved in the founding of Gründermotor?
Complaints were made at many meetings with commercial enterprises and politicians that there were too few startups in the Stuttgart region. A suggestion was made that more venture capital would be the solution to this. I spoke to many stakeholders together with Adrian Thoma, and we came to realize that it didn’t (only) have to do with the availability of money, but rather that there are too few investment-ready startups. The way to help founders implement ideas can be seen at UnternehmerTUM in Munich. It has to start early at universities with the introduction of students to entrepreneurship. Guidance from experienced mentors and coaching on relevant topics paves the way in implementing business ideas. This is why we launched Gründermotor as a collaboration between state government, universities, experienced founders and both industrial & communication partners.
What were your impressions of the master class 3 launch event?
I’m impressed – it was a great event. I’d like to point out two things. First: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, everything is being conducted remotely over the Internet. This has gone well. In addition, we were able to increase our range considerably as a result. Teams from Lake Constance and Ulm are able to take part as well, of course. And second: The number and maturity level of teams have increased with each master class, which shows that our offering is a good fit and being accepted.
Peter Guse, Charging Infrastructure Business Development
Peter, what role does Vector currently fill in the third master class of Gründermotor?
Innovation arises out of information, interaction and inspiration. As a corporate partner from the very beginning (and the first master class), Vector contributes in many ways in addition to providing financial support – mentors at Vector utilize their own experience to guide young entrepreneurs, interact with multiple teams to identify synergies and provide inspiration by relaying specific requirements of industry which they themselves have experienced. Naturally, we also learn more from master class to master class together with the creators of Gründermotor. This makes us a good sparring partner for helping the teams avoid known mistakes. Vector itself wasn’t founded all that long ago, but we can’t let the company’s rapid growth and economic success allow its entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to innovate in a dynamic way to diminish. As a matter of fact, we ourselves can gain inspiration from the Gründermotor team.
Uwe Gerlinger, Managing Director of Vector Venture Capital GmbH
Uwe, what are your expectations of master class 3?
Based on the even higher quality of the teams at the latest launch event, my expectations of the third master class have also risen. Following further development of the business model within the framework of the four-month master class program, the teams will generate enough interest in the venture capital market to secure financing for a third of participants.
What were your impressions of the master class 3 launch event?
The successful online event was able to maintain a high level of interest by the many participants and observers for a long period of time. It certainly expanded the range of master class 3 beyond the Stuttgart metropolitan area as well.
Marcell Amann, Director Human Resources
Marcell, you were able to gain in-depth insight into previous master classes. What are your impressions of the third round?
As a company which grew out of the startup phase long ago, it’s exciting to experience how young entrepreneurs pursue and promote creativity. Agile ways of working – which startups practice successfully – can inspire more mature organizations like Vector time and again. I’m very interested to see how the Gründermotor participants will have handled master class 3 under the current difficult limiting conditions. The launch event was great, and the startups – who presented themselves virtually – were yet again better and more mature. That was very promising. We’re trying to put the Vector junior management staff in touch with startups from the master class. This allows us to experience “live” what it means to think in an entrepreneurial way. At the same time, it gives us the opportunity to pass on experience and expertise to young entrepreneurs. Should any of them decide not to be an entrepreneur for the long term, they could join Vector and develop their talents with us.