The futureSAX Start-up Forum I in Chemnitz
From the idea to the business model - futureSAX Start-up I in Chemnitz
How do I lead my innovative idea to a sustainable business concept? How do I further develop my business model? And what does good branding look like? - Answers to these and many other questions on the way to a successful business concept were offered at the first futureSAX Start-up Forum on February 5, 2020 in Chemnitz.
"A business idea is not yet a business model."
Around 50 participants accepted the invitation to Pumpwerk eins in the southeast of Chemnitz. There they started an afternoon full of information together with keynote speaker Jun-Prof. Mario Geißler, Managing Director of Q-Hub. Geißler took the (prospective) founders on a journey through the jungle of business model development. The most important message at the beginning: "A business idea is not yet a business model". He clearly reminded them that this common short-circuit must be internalized. In the course of his lecture, which was illustrated with practical examples, he explained to his interested audience which guard rails there are when building a bridge from the idea to a resilient business model.
"The idea must work in the marketplace. Only when someone is willing to pay money for it is it worth anything. Companies that have sought contact with potential customers before they are founded are many times more profitable than those that have not".
Dr. Mario Geissler, Director at Q-Hub Chemnitz
Keynote by Dr. Mario Geissler at the Start-up Forum I
Fitness for start-ups in the goldfish bowl
Following this prelude, which was worth knowing in many ways, the participants also moved more into focus. Because in the following fishbowl discussions they could - in contrast to classical panel discussions - place their questions on the currently discussed topic at any time. In round one, Marion Neumann, start-up consultant at the Gründernetzwerk SAXEED, and futureSAX alumnus Manuel Dudczig, founder of Vrendex GmbH, answered the audience's thirst for knowledge in the area of business model development. Which tools can founders use for this? What are the typical stumbling blocks to be considered? - were central questions that Marion Neumann answered competently. In the process, the founder also talked out of the sewing box: The constant questioning of one's own approach can be quite challenging. But it's worth it if you want to get off to a good start with your start-up.
The second discussion of the day focused on the innovation of existing business models - because this was already made clear before: There is no such thing as a 'finished' business model for all time. Even the most successful companies are not immune to the changes of the times and so the question arises: How do I keep not only myself but also the basis of my business in good shape? In a dynamic round, Jens Weber, managing director of the Technologie Centrums Chemnitz, and Corant managing director Mario Körösi passed the proverbial balls to each other. Together with the participants, they turned the double passes into a knowledgeable bull's eye.
"The permanently successful company continues to innovate, because the world keeps on turning!"
Jens Weber, Director at Technologie Centrum Chemnitz
A fancy logo is not enough
"But how do I really communicate my business model successfully", was the key question in the final fishbowl discussion Wolfram Junge, founder and CEO of prevedo prevedo Lichtmedien GmbH and Silva Garves from Silver's Cove. The two practitioners illustrated to the founders that a chic logo alone is unfortunately not enough to reach or convince their respective target groups. It is much more important to think in a holistic way and to know exactly what makes your customers tick and what added value your product or service offers them.
Impressions
Hands-on experts and jurors
Equipped with the multitude of insights and findings, the participants of the first founders' forum this year did not have to wait on their chairs for long. At the concluding get-together, they took the opportunity to reflect on the day's input among themselves and, in particular, to discuss it personally with the experts on site. During the jury lounge, the prospective candidates for the Saxon Founders' Prize also had the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the evaluators and get valuable tips on how to optimize their application.
The second futureSAX Start-up Forum will then take place on March 5, 2020 in Leipzig on the topic of "Creating an investor-capable financial concept".
Applications for the Saxon Start-up Award 2020 can be submitted until March 29, 2020. All information and the online application portal can be found here.