Niklas Pies

🔥 Get exclusive access to the Product Discovery Cheat Sheet 🔥 with 26 Product Discovery Methods that will enable you to "build the RIGHT THING" and not just "build the THING RIGHT" for your users. At konversionsKRAFT AG, we collected the most relevant methods that we have used in order to help our clients build and grow their digital products - you can use this board to evaluate your status quo and select the matching methods based on where you stand. To get access, follow these simple steps: 1️⃣ Connect with me and Anastasia Shvedova 2️⃣ Like this post ❤️  3️⃣ Comment on this post ("Brilliant, I want access!") 🚨 Disclaimer: this is the first version of the Product Discovery Cheat Sheet and we are looking forward to your questions and feedback while you are using it. Please feel free to approach us any time with your thoughts! #productdiscovery #discoverycheatsheet #productexperimentation #cromethods #testing #experimentation #growthmarketingsummit #growthmindedsuperheros #productmanagement

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Always asked myself, if I can be happy …always? As an entrepreneur you are in the natural habit of optimizing all aspects of a project so why don’t optimize your life? After many years of learning about what makes us happy, I think it is only a transient state. But maybe we can feel even better … when we are in Flow! Flow is the state of consciousness in which we forget space and time, are maximally happy, motivated and efficient. In this state, we feel our best and achieve the most. What do we need to achieve this flow? Why is it so important for founders and managers? I talk about this in the podcast with editor Elena Todeva Listen in and share your best flow moments. #flow #flowmoment #success #performance #motivation #alignment #leadership #newwork #startup #vc #entrepreneurship

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The venture capital industry is experiencing a comeback: Over 500 funding rounds of two million dollars or more were closed by European startups in the first quarter of 2024, according to Dealroom. This represents an increase from 24 percent (Q4, 2021) to 43 percent (Q1, 2024) in Series A funding rounds. The crucial question is, how do founders manage to quickly move from the seed phase to Series A in today’s highly competitive landscape? The essential tools for this can now be found in a new book, titled “Series A Blueprint: A Guide for Seed-Stage Founders“ written by my amazing colleagues from XAnge in collaboration with HV Capital, Carta Zendesk, Amazon Web Services (AWS), torq.partners and featuring tips from dozens of experienced founders. https://lnkd.in/dzx622hB

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Wow - thanks Simon Walter, Magdalena Maier and Charlotte Niklahs for the program you've put together for the #management hive of #pakcon24! 🔥 How to set up a 10x innovation culture by Nina Michahelles, Sarina Hergarten, Alexander Böhm, Nils Wagner How to build and scale high-performing companies by Friederike Reuter, Stefan Roebel, Martin Sondenheimer, Magdalena Maier Strategy is broken by Sebastian Herzog, Isabelle Schnellbuegel, Paul Becker, Simon Walter AI: The Biggest Opportunity for the German Mittelstand? by Dr. Alexander Mrozek, Dr. Sebastian Walter, Anna Franziska Michel, Dr. Alexandra Deichsel Why Digital Transformations often fail - particularly in Germany by Miriam van Straelen, Marc Schiekofer, Cecilie Hohlbein Hegelund, Moritz Trutschel Venture Clienting - Success Factors of Startup - Corporate Collaborations by Arno Baltruschat, Dr. Sophie Chung, Stefan Schmautz, Anne Decker Last ticket drop: https://lnkd.in/duPQg3Wc

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Start-ups in Europe: a light at the end of the tunnel - finally!    This article by Nadine Schimroszik in Handelsblatt gives reason for hope for the tech ecosystem, as it summarises a development that has been tentatively emerging for some time: The number of new #start-ups in Germany is growing again, by 17 per cent, as shown by a comparison of the first quarter of 2024 with the same quarter of the previous year.   💡It is particularly interesting to see that most investments are being made in AI. An unmistakable sign that they continue to be a driver of innovation for the German startup ecosystem.   We recently came to a similar conclusion with my team, as part of our analysis of the German startup landscape. Our conclusion: more and more funding are being mobilised for ♻️ #Greentech business ideas that are based on AI-based technologies and have a positive impact on our planet. More info on our research at IRIS can be found in Startup Insider`s Investors Report 2024: https://lnkd.in/dU-5AMPz More info on Nadine’s insightful article here: https://lnkd.in/depicwGA

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I'm thrilled to share that @Smart Reporting has successfully closed a financing round of 23 million euros, with TVM Capital Life Science leading this Series C funding. A warm welcome to our new investors, including Bayern Kapital, as we bolster our resources to expand further into #NorthAmerica and #Australia. This significant capital infusion will accelerate our #mission to revolutionize medical reporting with advanced, AI-supported products. As we step into the #future, our focus is clear: to enhance healthcare IT markets globally and introduce cutting-edge, AI-based solutions that transform radiological and pathological reporting. The power of #genAI and large language models (#LLMs) is redefining what's possible in the healthcare sector. At Smart Reporting, we're harnessing these advancements to provide crucial support to radiologists and pathologists, making their work not only faster but also more accurate. As we gear up for this growth phase, I'm also pleased to announce the expansion of our management team, welcoming Christian Matzen as our new CFO and COO, and recognizing Sigrid Auweter's expanded role as CPO. A big thank you to our existing #investors for continuing on this journey with us and to our new investors for believing in our #vision. The road ahead is exciting, and I look forward to what we will achieve together in making #healthcare more efficient and effective worldwide. #HealthTech #Investment #ArtificialIntelligence #MedicalReporting #Radiology #Pathology #GrowthStrategy #Innovation #AI

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🟠🟣 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗪𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗬 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳! At WECONOMY, founders win what money can't buy: The competition brings founders together with experts and managers right up to the executive boards of the German economy. Are you a tech start-up and want to take your business to the next level?  This is your chance! ✔️ 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆? Start-ups in the early stage / pre-seed phase as well as start-ups that have not yet been founded with proof of concept or pilots. ✔️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀? We are looking for startups with a focus on STEM and technology. MedTech, FinTech, AgriTech ... the possibilities are endless! ✔️ 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺? Not a must, but all the better. After all, it has long been known: More diverse teams are more successful. Any questions? Message Christine Heuwing or comment below! ⏰ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟰! WECONOMY is an initiative of Wissensfabrik - Unternehmen für Deutschland e.V. in cooperation with UnternehmerTUM and Handelsblatt.

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What are your thoughts for the German startup ecosystem in 2025? In my latest contribution to Business Punk, I shared some of my post November 6th thoughts on the topic [Link in Comments]. Here are my key takeaways: 🇺🇸 🛑 🇨🇳 The new #US administration will drive deregulation to strengthen its tech sector against #China's dominance. #Europe should closely monitor its global impact. 🇩🇪 📂 🤯 The German ecosystem faces structural challenges: #overregulation, a risk-averse culture, and a €30bn #fundinggap drive German success stories get capital outside the EU. 🚀 🧑‍💻 📈 Despite challenges, 2025 holds immense opportunities for German #entrepreneurs. The #earlystage ecosystem has shown resilience even during recessions, while emerging AI hubs like #Heilbronn, #Karlsruhe, and #Heidelberg are on a promising path forward. Personally, I think the transition towards #green economies and #cities has additional potential for the next generation of hidden champions made in Germany. #startup #politics #elections #innovation #tech

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The best part of work is always at the terminals. Yesterday at the HHLA Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG Container Terminal Tollerort. Supporting the incredible works of founders Marcel Wiegand and Nico Marks and their exciting venture passify that secures and automates gate processes. The roll-out was a blast. Speaking with hundreds of truck drivers all day long and showing them the easiness of the gate process via smartphone App. This is another great example why founders who have years of terminal work experiences make the difference when it comes to gate integration, process knowledge and smooth software roll-outs. And this is just the start. passify simplifies and streamlines the access management process for both truck drivers and facility operators, while providing real-time information on pick-up and delivery availability. Definitely a startup to watch on an exciting growth path. #smartport #terminalaccess #startup #truck #gateprocess

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🎙️Podcast alert: Had a great catch-up with Kai on 🤝𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒍🤝 this week (🇩🇪) After our first session last year, we again talked about the latest developments in the SaaS and M&A market. Topics we've covered: ➡️ Our approach with saas.group, ➡️ Where we stand and what our goals are, ➡️ Current SaaS and M&A market trends, ➡️ How to properly value a SaaS business, ➡️ Role of AI in SaaS and M&A, ➡️ And more... You can check it out on all relevant podcast platforms. Links to Spotify and Apple below: 🟢 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gn8RaVpD 🟣 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/g3kBWSBW Enjoy listening! 🙌 @ Kai, Anja + team: Thanks again for having me. Happy to speak again next year and see how good or bad my predictions were.

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Growth requires a talented workforce. Magdalena Oehl's post talks about the skills shortage in Germany and how necessary it is to tap into a global skills pool. The Atomico State of European Tech report talks about 3.5m tech talent in Europe, growing by 24% yoy. Demographic change in Europe is here - it is not a concept but a reality. Assuming no corrective actions take place, Europe will have 50 million people less in 2050 - that's the size of Spain. Where will the 24% growth come from? We certainly need more capital to grow the start up ecosystem and put us back in the front seat of innovation. But we also need to have a clear action plan on how to develop, attract and retain the talent that is needed for sustainable growth. Each of those talent building blocks needs its strategy, but with this challenge also comes a massive opportunity. I see some interesting business opportunities and would love to hear some comments on how we as businesses can address this while we are waiting for politicians to address the visa issue.

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𝗜𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗖? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Michael Treskow from Eight Roads Ventures said recently on #startupland powered by deutsche-startups.de that we're already playing in the big leagues. But are we? Let's dive into some numbers. Germany's venture capital scene is booming, but how do we compare globally? 1. In 2022, Germany attracted €11.3 billion in VC investments. Impressive, right? 2. Yet, the US still leads with €150 billion. The gap is significant. 3. But here's a twist: Germany is closing the distance fast. Growth rates are higher than many expect. So, what's behind this momentum? → A strong startup ecosystem that fosters innovation. → Government initiatives supporting tech ventures. → A cultural shift towards embracing entrepreneurship. But challenges remain. The focus is now on creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices, especially from the HR sector, can thrive. To truly lead, we must leverage untapped potential, like the 50+ generation and women in STEM. Germany's VC landscape is evolving, and the future looks promising. Yet, we must continue pushing boundaries to maintain our upward trajectory. What are your thoughts on Germany's VC potential? Are we ready to lead globally?

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Ep.17 Drop #20Angel 🎙 The one & only Philipp Moehring, Co-Founder of Tiny Supercomputer Investment Company, joined me in the hot seat for a rare public appearance 🔥 👉 Introducing Tiny Supercomputer Investment Company FUND III ✍ 👉 Higher valuations = higher expectations 💣 👉 Giving Founders the freedom to be extreme 🤪 👉 Your access gives you your price 💰 Some Founder References on Philipp: dennis müller (Amie): "More than most, pmoe is a cheerleader. The journey is already hard enough, some VC's make it harder by sending unsolicited articles with "seen this?". He's the opposite. always fun to brainstorm ideas with him. Differentiated intros relative to others." David Budde (trawa): “He‘s been a great sparring partner and has a ton of experience. I remember, the night before our Pre-Seed closing, we found a minor but important error in our cap table. Unsure what to do, we called Phil late that evening for guidance. To me, it‘s super important to know that I can reach my investors, if it actually matters, and that they‘ll be able to help! + he’s just a really nice guy.” Milos Rusic (deepset): “Phil is amazing! He was actively involved in assembling each of our funding rounds - even in the first round where he committed before we had settled for a lead investor. He actively helped to construct our favourite setup of lead investors for that initial round. He knows everyone and his support is not limited to great intros - he really helps founders to assess and identify which investor could be a right fit for them. 100% reliable, massive value for every company. What they do is really unique.” This was a special one to do, hope you enjoy 🍿 https://lnkd.in/gTRT_SmJ 20VC, #AngelInvesting, #technology, #podcast, #entrepreneurship, #VC, #Founder, #Investing

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Beirat für Startups #34 Ein Beirat kann grundsätzlich für Startups von großem Vorteil sein. Wie immer, ist es eine Entscheidung, in der es auf den Einzelfall ankommt. 🛣 Einige Gründe hierzu behandele ich wöchentlich in meiner Beitragsreihe : Zum letzten Post der Reihe: https://lnkd.in/dfQsdEuf The Benefits of a Biotech Advisory Board 🧪🔬 As a leader in the biotech industry, I'm excited to share the advantages of having a strong advisory board with expertise in biotechnology. 💡 Cutting-Edge Insights 🔍 An advisory board composed of seasoned biotech professionals can provide invaluable, up-to-date insights into the latest industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. Their deep knowledge and experience can help guide your strategic decision-making and ensure your company stays ahead of the curve. 🧠 Specialized Expertise 🔬 Biotech advisory board members bring a wealth of specialized expertise across various disciplines, such as drug development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, and commercialization. Their diverse backgrounds can help you navigate the complex and ever-evolving biotech landscape more effectively, ultimately driving your company's success. 🧪 Networking and Connections 🤝 A well-connected biotech advisory board can open doors to new partnerships, collaborations, and funding opportunities. Their extensive industry networks can introduce you to key stakeholders, potential investors, and strategic partners, expanding your reach and unlocking new avenues for growth. 🌐 Credibility and Validation 👍 Having respected biotech experts on your advisory board can significantly boost your company's credibility and validation in the eyes of investors, regulatory bodies, and potential partners. This can be particularly valuable when seeking funding, navigating the regulatory landscape, or engaging with industry leaders. 🏆 Objective Guidance 🧭 An advisory board provides an outside perspective and objective guidance, which can be invaluable in navigating complex business decisions. Their impartial insights can help you identify blind spots, mitigate risks, and make more informed choices that align with your company's long-term goals. 🧠 By leveraging the expertise and experience of a biotech advisory board, you can unlock a competitive edge, drive innovation, and accelerate your company's growth in the dynamic biotech industry. 🚀 #advisoryboard #board #scaleup

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To all founders, here's a very detailed overview and comparison of VC investors in Germany 💸 Who's your preferred VC, what should they bring to the table and what are their preferences? Also: Excellent portrait of First Momentum Ventures 😉

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Last week, WEPA Ventures partnered with WEPA Stiftung and WHU Institut für Familienunternehmen und Mittelstand for a unique gathering. We invited a selected group of family entrepreneurs, family officers, founders, VCs, and business angels to our office in Düsseldorf to discuss startup investments by family businesses and family offices. With every participant bringing valuable practical experience, the atmosphere was highly engaging and trustful. Alongside keynotes and panel discussions, we had lively debates that covered a wide range of topics. Here are my three key takeaways: 💡 Multiple Approaches to Investing: Most participants shared more than one approach to startup investments that is currently actively pursued by their organization. While there is certainly a bias due to the preselection of attendees, this signals a growing maturity of VC investments by family businesses and family offices in Germany. Notably, around 50% of participants manage more than 10 investments in their current role, which underlines this perspective. 💡Direct Involvement of Entrepreneurial Families: The discussions reaffirmed the critical role of direct family involvement. Ideally, entrepreneurial families are crafting investment setups that are attractive to both founders and VC co-investors, while maintaining the trust of their family peers or core organizations. Combining execution speed with the value brought by industrial networks or core business capabilities is key to being a valued investor in the early-stage VC ecosystem. 💡Feedback on Keynote about my PhD Research: The initial findings from my PhD research received positive feedback from other practitioners. You might say, "Didn’t you interview them in the first place?" True, but stepping away from interviewer role allowed me to share what I had derived from the research, and it was rewarding to hear that the abstraction and models resonated well. To everyone who participated and supported—you know who you are—thank you so much for the insightful discussions and your valuable input! We’ll continue to foster these exchanges. I’m also more than eager to hear more perspectives on this topic. If you’re interested in a chat, please feel free to reach out!

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𝗜𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗜? Key insights into the German AI landscape to evaluate the current situation: 🔹 Startups: Germany hosts 687 AI startups, a 35% growth from last year. 🔹 AI landscape: Berlin and Munich dominate, with around 50% of Germany’s AI startups located there. 🔹 Patent applications: Germany holds only 6% of global AI patents, far behind China (29%) and the US (27%). 🔹 Investment: AI investments from 2013-2023 saw the US at $335.2B, China at $103.7B, and Germany trailing with $10.35B. 🔹 Public funding: Germany plans €1B in AI funding over two years, while the US spent $3.3B in 2022 alone. 🔹 Corporate spending: Western European companies invest 45-70% less in AI and IT than US firms. 🔹 Newly founded AI companies: Germany launched 319 new AI companies from 2013-2023, while the US founded 5,509. Actionable points for German company leaders: 💡 Simplify AI projects—start small and scale. 💡 Integrate risk-taking and innovation into business strategies. 💡 Align AI with company culture for effective implementation. Germany's asset is unique data on B2B business models. Using this data to develop unique products is a real opportunity to take the lead in the B2B space again. More insights on tech, data, and AI transformation needed? Follow this link 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eJqRj3Xn Sources: OMMAX Analysis, applied AI institute for Europe, EFI/ KfW, Stanford University #AI #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #BuildingDigitalLeaders

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