Start-up flicker in Fulda: encouraging despite setbacks!

Start-up flicker in Fulda: encouraging despite setbacks!

On Sunday evening, numerous young entrepreneurs and founders gathered in Fulda-Niederrode for what is now the fourth Gründerflimmern, an event organized by the Economic Development Agency of the Fulda Region GmbH. This year's motto “Encouragement” focused on dealing with failure in a positive way. This was particularly important for the invited founders, who were able to report on their experiences and exchange ideas in an informal setting. Osthessen News reports that the program was prepared by the committed Christoph Jestädt and his team.

A particularly impressive part of the event was the presentation of an entrepreneur who was active in franchising, particularly with the “Royal Donuts” chain. The audience was presented with an exciting documentary about the rise and fall of the donut chain. The company's history impressively shows how quickly you can slip from hype into a crisis and that even after setbacks it is possible to reorient yourself and come back successfully.

Challenges for failed founders

Despite the inspiring evening, the reality is sobering for many founders. A current study by ZEW Mannheim and the Institute for SME Research shows that failed founders have significantly worse prospects if they want to start a company again. According to DATEV, the probability that a failed entrepreneur will survive in the first year is 3.8 percentage points lower than for first-time founders. For those who even had to file for bankruptcy, this probability of survival is reduced by 6.5 percentage points.

This data sheds light on the challenges faced by former founders. Dr. Sandra Gottschalk, one of the authors of the study, emphasizes that many failed founders lack entrepreneurial skills. What's particularly alarming is that they are 3.9 percentage points more likely to file for bankruptcy again when they start their business. It is important to find the right level of support in order to specifically promote suitable talent.

Support for founders

Another central topic of the discussions during the start-up process was the role of support programs. Many of these initiatives appear to make it easier for failed entrepreneurs to try again, without adequately differentiating which founders are able to learn from their mistakes. Dr. Bettina Müller recommends a differentiated approach in order to provide targeted support to really promising founders from the group of failed entrepreneurs.

The participants in the founder flicker, including students from a nearby high school, were able to talk about their own wishes as founders in a creative exchange. Answers such as “be your own boss” or “become rich” made it clear how strong the entrepreneurial spirit is in the next generation. This is also reflected in the motivation to keep looking for new ways despite setbacks.

Overall, the start-up flicker shows that the path to owning your own company is by no means always straight. But it is also a sign that with the right support and the right experiences, new opportunities can arise. The event once again clearly demonstrated that courage and perseverance are essential to gaining a foothold in the often stormy business world. Anyone who dares to start a business can learn a lot - even from the mistakes of others, as the stories of failed entrepreneurs impressively demonstrate. Founders Foundation highlights these learning processes and encourages you to learn from mistakes and continually reinvent yourself.