imPulse - Founders & Tech Talk

This episode of  Founders Talk  explores corporate venture building for hidden champions—specialized SMEs that lead their niche but remain largely unknown. Host Nils Wagner and guest Kilian Karas discuss how corporate venturing helps companies stay competitive, citing examples like Kodak’s failure to innovate. They cover key challenges such as balancing risk-averse corporate culture with entrepren...

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 foun...

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 Trans...

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 solut...

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...

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...

In this episode, Nils Wagner talks to Alberto Onetti, serial entrepreneur, professor of entrepreneurship and chairman of Mind the Bridge, a global platform for open innovation. Alberto shares his experiences from over two decades of entrepreneurship and gives insights into his work between Europe and the US, especially in the collaboration between startups and established companies.     They explo...

In this episode of  imPulse , host Nils Wagner interviews Jannes Koepcke and Marcel Philipp Lang, founders of CoStore, a German startup revolutionizing self-storage with modular, container-based solutions outside city centers. This approach makes storage more affordable and accessible for private users and small businesses, avoiding high maintenance costs associated with traditional facilities.   ...

In this podcast episode, serial entrepreneur Anil Sethi shares his journey from co-founding startups like Flisom and Scrona to becoming a coach at ETH Zurich, where he helps shape future entrepreneurs. He also discusses the insights from his book "From Science to Startup" and previews his upcoming work, "From Startup to Unicorn," while offering advice on the challenges and opportunities facing tec...

In this podcast episode, Linda Herrmann and Matheo Cancouet, two working students at REHAU New Ventures, share their experiences and impressions of the challenges and opportunities of working in a dynamic and innovation-driven environment.  Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Guest Introduction 00:40 Linda's Background 01:55 Matteo's Background 03:22 Linda's Role at New Ventures 05:48 Ma...

In this podcast episode Anina Botha shares her experiences and emphasizes the importance of support, networks, and a focus on early-stage and user experience for success in the startup world, especially for women. Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Anina Botha's Company Overview 02:12 Location Independence 05:11 Challenges and Strategies of Being Location Independent 08:18 Importance of Word of...

Join us for our next episode of "imPulse" as we sit down with Max and Dimitri, the co-founders of ConnectedCrafts. In this engaging discussion, we'll explore: The Shortage in Skilled Labor: Delving into the current challenges and implications of the skilled labor gap in the craftsmen industry. What is ConnectedCrafts All About: Discover the mission, products, and services of Connecte...

In this podcast episode we had the honour to speak with Linda Yates, the Founder and CEO of Mach49 about the opportunities and challenges of corporate mentoring. Linda Yates is the Founder and CEO of Mach49, which partners with the Global 1000 to drive venture-driven growth through building ventures, investing, and strategic partnerships, focusing on scalable execution and innovation. With over 30...

Tune in to the latest episode of imPulse as Max and Tom, Co-Founders of EuerZuhause, share their visionary insights and innovative strategies shaping the future of home construction. Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Maximilian Career Path 02:14 Thomas Career Path 03:02 Overview of Euer Zuhause 04:06 Euer Zuhause Business Model 05:25 Thomas Role as Co-founder 07:55 Focus and Future Plans 09:12 Inv...

Today, the script is flipped as Nils personally talks about his journey of starting a company, his personal experiences, and finally what New Ventures is about. Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Early Life and Background 02:42 Career Path 04:31 Experience in China 05:44 Entrepreneurial Journey 09:07 About Rehau 12:46 Adapting to Local Markets 15:47 Comparison of Business Models in Different Market...

Svenja Winterbach, Co-founder of startup “_blaenk”, has immersed herself in both worlds: as the founder of her own company and now as a venture builder. We shed light on Svenja's personal founder story, her learnings and why she believes that venture building within a company requires similar attitudes and skills as in the world "out there". Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 01:34 Svenja W...

Katja Kolmetz, Founder of Wavemakers, Explores 'Leadership Beyond Titles' in Conversation with Nils Wagner. Delving into the significance of imposter syndrome, Katja shares insights linked to her personal journey as a founder. Chapter: 00:07 Katja Kolmetz Introduction 00:34 Discussion on Diversity in Organizations 01:18 Katja Kollmetz's Connection to Tel Aviv 03:52 Experience in Asia 0...

In our third episode, Nils Wagner talks to Tiankai Feng, Ted Talk speaker, musician and data analyst about the passion for data and their meaningfulness to companies & human beings. Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Guest Introduction: Tiankai Feng 00:54 Tiankai's TEDx Talk Experience 02:01 AI in Music Creation 03:08 AI as a Tool in Songwriting 05:53 Combining Music and Data Analysis 08:38...

In this episode, Nils Wagner talks with Shira Mlamdovsky about "Social Impact & Technology." Shiran has impressive examples of the impact technology can create within social live. Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Guest Introduction: Sharam Mlamdowski 01:19 Shiran's Work and Mission 02:46 Balancing Business and Purpose 05:19 The 'Listen to My Voice' Project 08:46 Ethical...

As part of our podcast "imPulse", we take a look at current tech trends and give our listeners insights from very different perspectives. Today, Nils, CEO REHAU New Ventures talks to Mina Saidze, Tech Evangelist, Founder & Author about generative AI in the context of diversity and why we need to democratise AI. Chapter: 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Mina Seidze' Background and Passion...