Scientist and "Bunch" founder Darja Gutnick on the cocktail needed for a successful startup

"50 % network and 50 % perseverance".?

You can listen to the full podcast interview by clicking here. (German)

"I was actually planning to give entrepreneurship a wide berth,"

recalls founder Darja Gutnick. After all, using the example of her mother, who still runs her own small business today, she saw mainly the dark side of entrepreneurship in her childhood.??

But then everything changed: During her doctoral studies at the University of Gr?ningen, she came into contact with many founders and entrepreneurs. In the process, she noticed that she felt "like a fish in water" in the start-up community.??When she won 25,000 euros in a pitch contest a little later, more or less by chance, she was faced with a choice:?

PhD or entrepreneurship??

?"I sat on the decision for two months and then paused my PhD,"

the entrepreneur recalls. Although an academic career would have been a lot easier, she has no regrets about taking the slightly different path:?

"I already have an identity as a scientist, but I have much more impact when I'm in the entrepreneurial space."??

Moreover, the founder finds running a startup more challenging than her doctoral studies and teaching:?

"I found it much easier to be a good scientist than a good entrepreneur. But I learn a lot more and I change more in the world."

Today, in addition to being the CEO of her own company, the psychologist interviews leaders on topics related to high-performance and the future of the workplace on her "Teams at Work" podcast.?

That's because "Bunch" is a start-up explicitly dedicated to the topic of performance: Originally founded in 2016 under the name "12grapes," the consultancy is now a coaching app that helps its users become a better leader in just two minutes a day.??

Although the app is off to a thoroughly good start, with 50,000 downloads, over 10,000 active users and several successful funding rounds, Darja Gutnick can't move fast enough:?

"There is somehow still so much to do. We need to move much faster."?

After all, the company has big plans for this year: the number of users is to be increased fivefold. In addition, the launch of the premium plan and a Series A funding round are on the startup's agenda.

"It feels like we have super much to do and far too few hands. It's just a case of hang in there, keep going, learn fast, don't fall down and close a good Series A,"

says Darja Gutnick, summing up her current reality.??

In her experience, it takes "50% networking and 50% perseverance" to successfully build a business. In the latter 50%, she also includes the perseverance of the core team, which she counts as close friends and family members in addition to employees.?Because even though a larger network is important, you end up running a marathon:?

"I think networking is important, but in this context, your close relationships are much more important," reflects the young entrepreneur:

"I think being a partner of an entrepreneur is almost harder than being an entrepreneur yourself."??

When it comes to networking, the extroverted founder advises other young entrepreneurs to work with a phased structure. Also, approach the whole thing as lightheartedly as possible:?

"Someone with a PR background once told me that you should be on at least 3 stages every month at the beginning."

Once you've done this for half a year, you can be more selective. She herself alternates between phases where she does a lot of networking and phases where she focuses on internal issues like building the company and product development:?

"You just have to invest time. [But] networking is only half the battle. The other half is things like good execution, good documentation and clear thinking."?

Overall, this approach ensures that neither is neglected.?That said, she advises other young entrepreneurs not to start up just for the sake of starting up:?

"You have to be committed to the problem. An emotional connection to the problem is super important. Because that's the root that keeps you in the seat when you're on a roller coaster. Everything else you learn!"

If you want to learn when Darja Gutnick plans to catch up on her PhD and why she always asks investors for feedback, listen in on the podcast.

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