imPulse - Founders & Tech Talk

In this special episode of imPulse by REHAU New Ventures, Nils Wagner talks to Anja Schröpfer, Co-Founder of FLEXFY - an innovative wall and power supply system that emerged from an internal innovation program at paint manufacturer DAW and is now operating as an independent start-up.   Anja takes us on the exciting journey from the first prototype in the “elephant's trunk” pitch format to the founding of an independent company with external investors and strategic partners. Together we shed light on what it means to successfully found a corporate venture:   * How do you manage the balancing act between corporate structure and entrepreneurial freedom? * Why was it crucial for the founders to hold the majority? * And what role does venture clienting play in market entry?   Find out how an idea in your spare time became a real product with market traction - and what other corporates can learn from it.   🔌 FLEXFYi makes walls electric - without drilling. 🎙 Listen now and be inspired. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 00:08 : Introduction 00:55 : Anja's Introduction 01:44 : FlexFys Concept Explained 02:34 : Origin of FlexFi 03:17 : Decision to Spin Out 03:52 : Journey of FlexFi 05:23 : Challenges and Milestones 07:13 : Corporate Mindset 10:45 : Spin Out Process 13:12 : Corporate Support 14:24 : Current Team Setup 15:08 : Market Strategy 15:24 : FlexFy's Sales Channels 16:07 : Building Own Sales Channel 17:22 : Understanding the Market and Product Expansion 19:08 : FlexFy's Product Explained 20:48 : FlexFyi's Target Market 21:39 : Reflections on the Corporate Venturing Journey 24:10 : Future Financing and Investor Relations 25:59 : Closing Remarks --------------------------------------------------------------------- Useful  Links: https://www.flexfy.io/ [https://www.flexfy.io/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-schr%C3%B6pfer-10020b15a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-schr%C3%B6pfer-10020b15a/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-walter-186769289/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-walter-186769289/]

How does innovation succeed in a conservative industry? Nils Wagner talks to Anja Rath from PT1 Ventures about the hurdles and successes of technology in real asset tech, the role of AI and what founders should definitely bring to the table.  Chapter: 00:00 : Introduction 00:20 : About PT1 Ventures 01:10 : Career Background 02:26 : Anja's Interest in the Built World 05:27 : Challenges in Transforming the Built World 06:05 : Adoption of New Technologies in the Built World 10:02 : Examples of Success and Failure 12:48 : The Importance of Retrofitting Existing Buildings 15:10 : Understanding the Importance of Founders' Background 17:04 : The Importance of Understanding the Industry 18:08 : The Need for a Balanced Team 20:43 : Understanding the Economic and Financial Aspects 22:56 : The Role of Impact in Investment Decisions 24:47 : Staying True to Investment Profile 26:48 : The Use of AI in Managing Deal Flow 28:49 : Collaboration with Portfolio Companies 30:33 : Engagement with Portfolio Companies 33:14 : Balancing Advice and Micromanagement 36:54 : Discussing Exit Plans Early 40:42 : Reflecting on Career Highlights 43:24 : Advice to Younger Self 44:16 : Closing Remarks 🔗 Useful Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-rath-5a98701/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-rath-5a98701/]

In this episode, Natalie Lorberboym Mano, Head of PepsiCo Labs, talks about the success factors for collaboration between startups and large corporations like PepsiCo. She shares concrete insights into her innovation strategy and explains what it takes to ensure that pilot projects not only take off, but also scale in the long term and achieve real impact.     Key learnings:  - Only relevant solutions count: Startups need to solve concrete business problems.  - Clarity right from the start: Shared success criteria are essential.  - Speed & adaptability: Startups should deliver quickly and adapt well to the Group.  - Long-term view: Successful projects can transition into global partnerships or investments.    Chapter:  00:00 : Introduction and Guest Overview 01:04 : Natalie's Role at PepsiCo and Approach to Startup Collaborations 02:33 : Identifying the Right Startups 04:06 : Challenges in Engaging with Startups 06:59 : Working with Early Stage Startups 09:10 : Natalie's Background and Its Influence on Her Approach 11:37 : Long-term Collaboration with PepsiCo 11:44 : Strategic Investments and Potential for M&A 14:57 : Impact of Collaborations 15:17 : Impact of Collaborations with Startups 17:04 : Leveraging Venture Capital Network 21:35 : Advice for Startups Looking to Collaborate with Corporates 23:54 : Closing Remarks   🔗 Useful Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-lorberboym/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-lorberboym/]

In this episode, we talk to Anne Decker about how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can stay competitive through innovation and intrapreneurship. As an expert in corporate transformation, Anne shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of building new business within established companies and explains what it takes to drive real change from within. Topics of the episode: 🔹 The role of intrapreneurship in keeping traditional businesses agile and competitive 🔹 How venture clienting and strategic partnerships foster sustainable innovation 🔹 Key trends shaping the future of corporate innovation and SME growth A must-listen for founders, investors, and corporate leaders looking to build the businesses of tomorrow. Listen now!  Chapters: 00:00 : Introduction 00:49 : Guest Background and Current Role 01:04 : Discussion on Wattix and Maschinenraum 02:18 : Deep Dive into Wattix's Journey 06:01 : Collaboration and Consultation in Venture Building 06:21 : Shift in Venture Building Approach 06:38 : Evolution in Venture Building Approach 11:37 : Venture Building for Other Companies 13:50 : Starting Venture Building with Other Companies 15:34 : Venture Building Challenges and Risks 16:07 : Importance of Change and Innovation 16:46 : Adapting to Market Trends 20:14 : The Role of AI and Venture Clienting 21:04 : Greyhound New Ventures' Transformation 23:38 : Challenges in Collaborating with Startups 26:34 : Successful Corporate Venture Example: FlexFi 30:00 : Equity Distribution in Corporate Ventures 30:37 : Equity Distribution and Trust in Founders 31:50 : Challenges in Convincing the Board 34:02 : Traits of Successful Founders 37:20 : Support for Founders and Risk Management 40:12 : Future of Corporate Innovation in Germany 40:33 : Importance of Innovation for Transformation 43:59 : Closing Remarks   Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-decker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-decker/]

In this episode, we talk to Florian Nöll (PwC) about collaboration between startups and established companies. As an experienced bridge builder between the two worlds, Florian provides insights into the success factors of these collaborations and explains why PwC is one of the most active startup investors in Germany.     💡 Topics of the episode:  🔹 Florian's career - from the start-up scene to the corporate world  🔹 Success factors and challenges in the collaboration between start-ups and companies  🔹 PwC's role as an investor and strategic partner for young companies  🔹 Key future trends and the importance of diversity in the startup and VC ecosystem     An episode with practical insights for founders, investors and innovation managers. Listen now! 🎧  Chapter: 00:00 : Introduction 00:29 : Guest Introduction: Florian Nöll 01:07 : Background and Career 01:41 : Transition from Startup to Corporate 03:54 : Importance of Open Innovation in Corporates 05:45 : PwC's Approach to Open Innovation 05:57 : Focus of Open Innovation within PwC 07:41 : Different Disciplines of Corporate Venturing 08:38 : PwC's Approach to Corporate Venture Clienting 09:24 : Importance of Collaboration between Startups and Corporates 10:34 : Rehau New Ventures' Approach to Corporate Innovation 16:36 : Corporate Venture Building: Experiences and Insights 18:36 : Importance of Founder Perspective and External Benchmarks in Venture Building 20:09 : Learning from Failures in Venture Building 24:34 : Corporate Venture Capital in Corporate Innovation 24:59 : Strategic Benefits and Challenges of Corporate Venture Capital 28:19 : Recalibration of Corporate Venture Capital 31:12 : Challenges and Benefits of Corporate Venture Clienting 32:21 : PwC's Support for Startups: The Scale Program 39:04 : Prerequisites and Benefits of Joining the Scale Program 42:14 : The Need for Collective Effort in European Innovation Ecosystem 43:55 : Future Trends and the Importance of Startup-Corporate Collaboration 47:13 : European Startups and Their Role in Disruption 47:57 : The Importance of Staying Relevant in the Corporate World 48:58 : Closing Remarks LinkedIn Account:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/floriannoell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/floriannoell/]