MENT2BE – an initiative for and with Migrant Entrepreneurs, which was meant to be

When we started BRYCK in 2021, we had a vision: bringing entrepreneurs and innovators not only from the Ruhr area, NRW or Germany, but from Europe (and beyond) to Essen. To connect, to inspire and to build a #LivableFuture. ?

But if you invite people, you have to make sure they feel welcome.??

Currently, Germany is ranked 12th on OECD destinations for global start-up talents. Nine European countries are ranked higher. ??

“Even if the tech scene is generally very open – migrants are often having trouble to get connected to their new hometown in Germany” says ?skender Dirik , one of the founders of 2hearts . “We want to help them to feel less alone – and not only, because they are great people, but also because of their immense know-how we cannot risk losing.”???

Listen to the latest episode of pottcast.digital featuring Iskender Dirik (2hearts) & Ersin üstün (BRYCK) talking with host Julian N?ll about migrant entrepreneurship, challenges and their mission to support migrant founders in Germany: https://pottcastdigital.letscast.fm/episode/107-iskender-dirik-2hearts-ersin-uestuen-bryck-ueber-migrant-entrepreneurship

With BRYCK, we aim to contribute to make Germany a place international innovators and entrepreneurs are feeling welcomed, e.g. by communicating primarily in English, offering remote programs, and also building a diverse team our own: 1/3 of our BRYCK staff is first- or second-generation migrants. Many startups from our BRYCK community have one or more migrant founders in their team. Which creates even more diversity: international founders build more international teams: 51% of their staff is international (vs. 28% for German Startups, See: Migrant Founders Monitor 2023). “I firmly believe that we are more innovative when we are more diverse. So, it′s not an option, it′s mandatory to be diverse”, says Ersin üstün, COO of BRYCK. ?

Check out what else Ersin told us in an interview at MENT2BE: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PsUM6hrR2go

Diversity is mandatory for innovation.?

That′s why we as BRYCK have teamed up with 2hearts, a community of almost 3,000 people with immigration backgrounds in Europe’s tech industry. Their biggest asset: network. With an intrinsic motivation to support other migrant entrepreneurs to make it easier for them to feel welcome in their new home.

“Access is the No. 1 problem if you move somewhere new”, says Iskender Dirik. “Not only to VCs or clients, but also to people who are two steps ahead of you. Who can share contacts and knowledge. And the best thing: this is very doable! Because the only thing you need for that, are open and passionate people.”?

Therefore, we were more than happy to bring 120 of these innovators and entrepreneurs to Essen in September 2023 for our first MENT2BE event. Hosted by Cherno Jobatey , migrant entrepreneurs including Anne Kj?r Bathel (She) , Chanyu Xu , Dr. Sophie Chung , Ekrem Namazci , Hind Seiferth , Jacob Amor Fatih , Marc Margulan , Neven Subotic and Gülsah Wilke shared their journeys, insights and perspectives.??

A common message was the importance of role models.

“A girl with the best grades in math and social skills must be shown the opportunity to become a bank director, a hedge fund manager or minister of social affairs – and not limit her to become anything less”, says Hind Seiferth , founder & CEO of Unigy GmbH . “Many more founders need to appear in schools, universities or at events and tell their stories, share their experiences and encourage them,” pleads Hind. This could create a more diverse startup ecosystem and be the key to a future-oriented and diverse society.?

But also, the VC scene & decision makers must change.

“Society is diverse, the founders & entrepreneurs are diverse – but the investors are not”, says Ekrem Namazci , founder & CEO of GDEXA - Mentoring & Skillbased Hiring . According to the Migrant Founders Monitor 2023, first generation migrants are more ambitious to gain venture capital funding compared to their local peer group (73 % vs 61 %). Also: 60% of German unicorns have at least one migrant founder to their founding team. But also: their funding gap is higher (39 % vs 34 %). “We need to transfer society′s diversity to the world of capital”, says Ekrem Namazci. ?

Join & support our mission:??

“We started with 2 organizations and are always looking for more partners, mentors, investors and startups who want to push cultural diversity in the German startup ecosystem with us in 2024 and beyond”, says Ersin üstün.??

If you are interested in joining and supporting our mission – get in touch!?

https://bryck.com/ment2be/