Munich Startup: Please introduce yourselves briefly.
Heba Aguib: My name is Heba Aguib and I have been working for the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt since July 2019. As Chief Executive, I lead our Accelerator program Respond, which we launched earlier this year together with the UnternehmerTUM.
Miki Yokoyama: My name is Miki Yokoyama and I am COO of Respond and, since 2018, COO of TechFounders at UnternehmerTUM, Europe's leading center for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Heba Aguib: With Respond, we offer founders a five-month accelerator program with practical coaching and mentoring in the areas of business, technology, sustainability, and leadership at the highest level.
Balance of people, profit and planet
Miki Yokoyama: Participants also benefit from the global networks of both organizations with first-class partners from the tech and business world, as well as placements at international events.
Heba Aguib: In addition, all participants have the opportunity to participate in a study that demonstrates how they can contribute to systemic change. Without systemic change, we will not achieve a balance between people, profit, and planet. And everyone knows what that means by now. Every contribution will be compensated and published with us after the program ends.
Munich Startup: What do you focus on when working with startups?
Miki Yokoyama: With Respond, we support entrepreneurs who want to tackle the problems of our time and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030 through entrepreneurial solutions. In the first year, we are focusing on three Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; and Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.
“The problems of our time are too complex to be solved alone.”
Heba Aguib: We believe that startups, with their agility, creativity, and dynamism, are a decisive force in driving structural and economic change. Responsible leadership is the key lever for this. We want to inspire founders to embrace their social responsibility and work for a peaceful, just, and sustainable future.
Munich Startup: “To be successful, a startup must…”
Miki Yokoyama: … have a clear vision, pursue it with determination, have a good team and get the timing right, while still remaining humble and open to new paths.
Heba Aguib: ...work effectively with others. Today's problems are too complex to be solved alone. A good network and partners with high levels of expertise are crucial for success, especially for young companies.
Munich Startup: Why does a good startup need an accelerator behind it?
Heba Aguib: Every startup—no matter how experienced the founders are or how mature their business model—can draw valuable support and inspiration from an accelerator. By interacting with mentors who have experienced the highs and lows of founding a company, they can test their ideas, learn from others' experiences, and, as a result, better anticipate their own future challenges. But there are many more benefits. For example, renowned accelerators can enhance the image and raise awareness of startups through their reputation and external communications.
Miki Yokoyama: Furthermore, the valuable contacts and opportunities for networking and initiating collaborations should not be underestimated — and this in all areas relevant to startups: whether with other founders, investors, potential customers or new employees.
Munich Startup: What is the biggest mistake a startup can make?
Miki Yokoyama: Not taking advice and not asking questions of other, experienced founders or experts. Constructive feedback and external expertise are essential on the path to a successful startup. Those who rely solely on their own knowledge and experience miss the opportunity to learn from others' mistakes and leverage other perspectives to their own advantage.
Sustainable business models need more than scaling, profits and an exit strategy
Heba Aguib: I also consider a lack of foresight to be a key mistake in developing truly sustainable business models. There are certainly still founders who build their companies primarily with maximum scale, profits, or lucrative exits in mind. However, in my opinion, truly sustainable business models require more than that. We can no longer ignore the ever-increasing global challenges—and leaders, in particular, have unique opportunities to contribute. Therefore, founders should act wisely and with foresight and develop business models that not only generate the highest possible profits, but also make a positive contribution to society and the environment.
Munich Startup: The trend of the year is…!
Heba Aguib: ...to take responsibility! Whether in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic or sustainability, many current topics are currently on the agendas of numerous startups. However, we don't want responsibility and a sense of community to remain mere trends that fade away after a certain period of time; we want these values to be lived out permanently, especially by leaders.
“Global challenges can only be solved through a systemic change in the economic and financial system.”
Miki Yokoyama: The challenges facing the global community of nations affect a wide range of areas, from the highly topical coronavirus to long-term challenges such as climate change, improved healthcare, and poverty reduction. These challenges can only be solved through systemic change in the economic and financial system. Therefore, we call on leaders around the world to assume their social responsibility now and in the future.
Munich Startup: What characteristics make the Munich startup scene so special?
Heba Aguib: Munich has long been a magnet for numerous startups, not least due to its proximity to successful large corporations, including BMW, Audi, Siemens, BSH, and tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon. This entrepreneurial diversity, with companies of all sizes and industries, attracts many skilled workers and offers numerous opportunities for valuable partnerships.
Munich impresses with excellent educational institutions
Miki Yokoyama: Another important factor is, of course, the excellent educational institutions. According to the German Startup Monitor 2019 The Technische Universität München has been ranked among the top 10 universities for entrepreneurship for the third year in a row. The UnternehmerTUM is an institute affiliated with the university and provides targeted support to students, researchers, founders, and startups in the realization of their entrepreneurial projects. More than 50 high-growth startups emerge from the UnternehmerTUM each year, making Munich a hotspot for startups and innovation.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Heba Aguib: Since the launch of Respond, the team has been approached by very enthusiastic founders, which is extremely exciting. We are in daily contact with interested founders. You can also find Respond website Information and updates about the Accelerator program and you can of course by email or contact us and our team via social media.
Miki Yokoyama: In addition, I have been traveling a lot in the past few months and have met numerous founders at events — these direct contacts and the immediate, positive feedback from the founders have particularly pleased me personally.
Munich Startup: Thank you for the interview.
