From my own experience in recent years, I can say with a clear conscience that the synergy of innovative entrepreneurial spirit and the sound expertise and management experience of an interim manager is the key to the sustainable success of a startup or scale-up. And this success, in turn, is a crucial factor for the future viability of Germany as a business location.
Start-ups and Scale-ups in Germany
Germany continues to offer an environment for startups and scale-ups that is characterized by a high level of technological expertise, close cooperation with established companies and a strong university landscape. Collaboration with universities and research institutions promotes knowledge transfer and supports founders in turning modern technologies into marketable products. Accelerator and incubator programs offer valuable support on the path from idea to successful scaling. The central location in Europe also opens up a wide range of growth opportunities and facilitates access to international markets. At the same time, however, young companies also face a number of challenges. High bureaucratic hurdles and complex regulations often delay startup processes and make it difficult to enter the market quickly. Access to venture capital is often limited compared to other international markets, as investors in Germany are generally more conservative. Competition for qualified specialists, particularly in the areas of IT and engineering, is also a significant obstacle. In addition, there are regional differences in the digital infrastructure, such as insufficient broadband expansion. The long-term success of startups and scale-ups in Germany therefore depends largely on how effectively they overcome these challenges and at the same time exploit the existing potential. Only through innovative solutions and the optimal use of technological and industrial expertise, founders can successfully turn their ideas into scalable business models.
Why does the DDIM need this expert group?
Startups and scale-ups are companies with special requirements. While startups are often still looking for support in professionalizing, building structures and scaling their business model, scale-ups in particular face challenges such as internationalization, building management structures or preparing for further investments. Our Startup & Scale-up Expert Group specifically addresses these specific challenges and promotes exchange between interim managers working in this environment. Startups and scale-ups make an important contribution to innovation and employment. With a dedicated expert group, the DDIM is positioning itself as a competent partner for interim management in this area and is thus addressing new target groups. In addition, the DDIM can become even more attractive for interim managers from this field by creating a focus of expertise in this area. As startups and scale-ups rely on good networks, the expert group can establish contacts with investors, VCs or funding institutions and thus further increase the added value of the DDIM. In addition, the expert group aims to actively establish contacts with startup associations in order to make interim management even more visible in this segment.
What drives the members of this expert group?
We share a close bond and passion for startups and scale-ups. These two areas were deliberately chosen in combination because, despite their different challenges, they represent two important phases in the development of a young company, which we believe have been underrepresented in the DDIM up to now. All members of the expert group have many years of direct or indirect expertise in this sector – be it as a long-standing interim manager in this environment, as the founder of a startup or as an investor. We are convinced that we can make a significant contribution to the success of startups and scale-ups with our diverse experience, for example in bridging management positions or, in particular, in managing growth and transformation processes. As interim managers in startups and scale-ups often work in highly dynamic, innovative and uncertain environments, the regular exchange of best practices helps us to make our projects even more efficient and successful.
The goals of the expert group
In general, the opinion still prevails that interim management and the startup scene don’t really go together. The image of the interim manager is often associated with terms such as “large corporation” and “restructuring” or even “consultant”. We want to correct this image. Because in addition to our knowledge advantage through many years of experience, we are also innovative, creative and future-oriented. Startups and scale-ups often have completely different needs than established companies and it is quite common that solutions have to be found and implemented quickly. As interim managers, we may have our own areas of specialization, but we are usually also generalists who are needed especially in smaller, fast-growing companies. It is important to adapt flexibly to the needs of the respective company phase and to meet people where they are right at this moment. Founders don’t want a know-it-all with a raised index finger, but a mentor and sparring partner. To be a competent partner for startups and scale-ups, we as an expert group have to think and act like a startup ourselves. Our strength certainly lies in the diversity of experience within the group. We want to use this to specifically support startups and scale-ups in Germany to successfully implement their ideas and, above all, create the basis for sustainable growth – be it in the implementation of transformations, the optimization of processes, organizational development, internationalization, coaching of managers or contact with investors. Our group of experts, which consists not only of competent interim managers but also experienced founders, can make a valuable contribution to the success of young companies in all areas. We combine expertise in the areas of sales, business development, marketing, finance, organizational development, investor relations, startup foundation and much more. We can bring in experts from our own group into our mandates and thus create even greater added value very quickly and efficiently. Through cooperation with startup associations, presentations at events, contacts with investors and also lobbying for the topic with providers, we not only want to make the topic of interim management and the DDIM relevant in the startup scene, but also position it as a real “game changer”. Because innovative entrepreneurial spirit and the sound expertise and leadership experience of an interim manager are a great match!
More information on: https://ddim.de/portfolio-item/start-up-scale-up/