{"id":55418,"date":"2019-11-28T00:25:29","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T23:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.munich-startup.net\/?p=55418"},"modified":"2024-04-24T09:29:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T07:29:38","slug":"comment-social-startups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.munich-startup.net\/en\/55418\/comment-social-startups\/","title":{"rendered":"Helpers or self-promoters \u2014 How social are social startups?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The startup scene likes to portray itself as progressive and socially engaged\u2014people talk about diversity, impact, sustainability, and empowerment. But critics accuse startups of being nothing but self-promotion behind their social outlook. A commentary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big democracy party is scheduled to take place in Berlin's Olympic Stadium next June. Condom startup Einhorn, Luisa Neubauer of Fridays for Future, and moderator and author Charlotte Roche are inviting people to the "largest citizens' assembly in Germany." Up to 90,000 "global citizens who want exactly the same thing" are expected to meet and sign as many petitions as possible. Tickets cost \u20ac29.99 on the crowdfunding platform Startnext.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The criticism wasn't long in coming: How does the high entrance fee square with the promise that everyone should participate? Doesn't it point to a creepy understanding of democracy that everyone should want "exactly the same thing"? Is a stadium even the right place for a discussion? And then, of all places, the Berlin Olympic Stadium, with its past and Nazi-inspired architecture? Add to that the accusation that the startup Einhorn is simply using the climate protests for its own marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founders for Future <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Olympic Stadium campaign is part of a larger trend: startups don't just want to make money, they also want to make a positive change. So it was hardly surprising that the previous issue<\/a> The motto of the Munich startup conference Bits & Pretzels was 'Impact' - people want to make a difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike former US President Barack Obama, climate protest figurehead Greta Thunberg was not on stage herself, yet she was still present. Obama praised the young Swede's work, and the Bits & Pretzels organizers also displayed a photo of Thunberg during their opening speech. They called for a new movement: "Founders for Future."<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We just announced IMPACT as the new main topic of @bitsandpretzels<\/a>. Let's use our curiosity, courage, and technology to solve important issues. #FoundersForFuture<\/a>! Now it's up to us as startup entrepreneurs to be a legacy of our generation. #bits19<\/a> #IMPACT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/o9wELEeUt9<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Felix Haas (@felixhaas) September 29, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>