Ready to Succeed?
As a deep tech innovator, you face several key entrepreneurial challenges. Winning market adoption, re-imagining value propositions, and ecosystem development are three of the most critical non-technical issues deep tech ventures face. I am dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of innovation and entrepreneurship to create viable and scalable technology ventures. Together we can turn your ideas into reality, drive meaningful change, and shape our future.
Let’s start with a short discovery session…
We get to know each other and talk about the relevant background of you and your organization, your technology, your product or service, your progress so far, and your current challenges. We will explore if I am the right fit for you (sometimes I am not – and I will tell you and expect you to tell me as well) and start to develop an initial plan for our mentoring together.
…and design a program for you!
Imagine a journey where your aspirations meet actionable strategies, propelling you toward impactful innovations. Let’s discover hidden opportunities together. My commitment is to transform challenges into stepping stones, ensuring you not only develop as a leader but also amplify your influence in your community and beyond. Together, we can harness your creative potential to forge solutions that resonate and inspire, paving the way for a brighter, more innovative future.
Mentoring along the Entrepreneurial Path
Core Mentoring Programs
My mentoring programs are designed for deep tech initiatives and specifically tuned to the most important phases in entrepreneurial and leadership development. Each program provides the structure to enhance skill development and problem-solving abilities, professional advancement based on constructive feedback and feedforward, boost confidence, and encourages to take action. Mentees will be able to navigate the complexities of innovation and drive their personal entrepreneurial growth.
All Phases
Unlock
Access the support you need to accelerate your journey to success and tackle any entrepreneurial challenge at any stage of your leadership path. Hone your leadership skills, discover blind spots, and run your team and organization with greater impact.
up to 1 hour per week mentoring
unlimited Q&A via chat/email
expect response within hours
minimum 6 months
free discovery session
From €100 / week
Validation Phase
Incubation
In the incubation phase, you collect and analyze crucial user data. You carefully plan and conduct interviews with users and stakeholders, validate key hypotheses and refine your value proposition. This phase focuses on customer discovery, jobs-to-be-done, and value proposition design.
1 to 2 hours per week mentoring
agreed schedule
from 4 weeks (typically 12 weeks)
free discovery session
customised
From €250 / week
Creation Phase
Booster
Accelerate your venture by proving your value proposition, understanding your business model environment, and crafting a strategic business model. Prepare impactful communications to investors and decision-makers. Key elements include Design Thinking, pitching, and fundraising.
1 to 2 hours per week mentoring
agreed schedule
from 4 weeks (typically 12 weeks)
free discovery session
customised
workshops as needed
From €250 / week
Growth Phase
Scaling
Once the business model is validated and customer traction is achieved, scaling demands effective growth in people, processes, finances, and offerings. At its core, scaling is about entrepreneurship. Key components include portfolio management, international strategy, and team development.
up to 3 hours per week mentoring
agreed schedule
from 12 weeks (typically 1 year)
free discovery session
customised
workshops as needed
team mentoring
From €500 / week
About Survival, Growth, Retention, and Confidence
The Value of Mentoring
More than 60% of entrepreneurs and employees identify mentoring and coaching as their preferred method for personal, career and entrepreneurial development followed by conferences, online courses, and formal education. Mentoring programs offer significant value for entrepreneurs and leaders, as evidenced by several key statistics. Forward-thinking leaders and organizations benefit from mentoring through successful onboarding, higher individual and team performance, higher employee retention rates, sustained engagement, more substantial job satisfaction, and effective succession planning.
%
of mentored businesses survive for five years or longer, which is double the rate of non-mentored businesses (1)
%
of U.S. business owners who receive mentorship increase their annual revenue by an average of 83%, compared to only 16% for those without mentors (2)
%
of employees would stay longer at an organization that invests in their learning and career growth through mentorship programs (3)
(1) https://howdo.com/masterclass/team/mentorship/
(2) https://www.theupsstore.com/about/pressroom/small-business-mentoring-month-2014
(3) https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/94percent-of-employees-would-stay-at-a-company-for-this-one-reason.html
Know How & Grow How
My Mentoring Formular
With many years of experience in internal and open mentoring programs – as a Mentee, as a Mentor, and as Mentorship Program Designer – I apply my proven approach to support and guide mentees based on empathy, business acumen, and leadership experience. It combines technical Know-How with personal Grow-How.
- I share learnings, provide insights to my work and career, and most importantly maintain strict confidentiality.
- I commit to helping the mentee to solve challenges, problems, or needs – providing direction when needed.
- I aim to understand the situation or challenge first: listen to what is being said and how it is being said.
- I challenge perspectives and offer different viewpoints to open alternatives.
- I provide structure and accountability while giving emotional support and encouragement.
AHA!Experiences
My Mentoring Secret
An aha-experience is a sudden realization or understanding of something that was previously unclear, confusing, or unknown. It’s when a person suddenly connects the dots and sees the solution or meaning behind something that had previously eluded them. It can feel like a light bulb turning on in your head, and can lead to a sense of clarity or enlightenment.
While aha-moments can happen at any time, my mentoring is geared towards enabling aha-experiences during our mentoring conversations or when going about your day-to-day activities. Together, we’ll increase the likelihood of experiencing aha-moments.
Our insights transform us in several ways. They change how we understand, act, see, feel, and desire. They change how we understand. They transform our thinking; our new story gives us a different viewpoint. They change how we act. In some cases insights transform our abilities as well as our understanding… Insights transform how we feel… Finally, insights change our desires, the new stories shift our goals, leading us to give up some ambitions and pursue others.
Training and Program Design
Support for Mentors and Organizations
As a ‘brain & heart builder’, you want to develop your own or your organization’s mentoring skills. I am supporting mentors with training tailored to new and experienced mentors. For organizations, I tap into my experience in designing mentorship initiatives including mentee and mentor training, program design, train-the-trainer modules, and establishing a mentoring community. Organizations will gain the capacity to develop and run sustainable mentoring programs and create valuable mentoring experiences.
There are multiple ways how to get involved, whether you’re looking to get started with a single employee, a small group, or your whole company, I can help!
Additionally, I offer specialized workshops that focus on enhancing communication skills, fostering emotional intelligence, and building resilience in mentoring relationships. These workshops are designed to empower mentors with the tools they need to navigate complex dynamics and create a supportive environment for their mentees. By participating in these sessions, mentors will not only refine their skills but also gain access to a network of like-minded professionals committed to personal and organizational growth.
Together, we can cultivate a culture of mentorship that drives innovation and success
Become an Impactful Mentor
As a mentor, you encounter a variety of challenges that often push you beyond your usual comfort zone. This training is designed to provide you with profound insights into the unique value you bring as a mentor. You’ll receive practical tips to navigate the most common mentoring obstacles, empowering you to cultivate impactful mentoring relationships. You’ll learn to apply effective tools tailored for specific mentoring scenarios while discovering best practices that can elevate your approach. Additionally, we offer a distinctive opportunity to engage with a community of fellow mentors, where you can exchange experiences and strategies. This collaborative atmosphere promotes growth and innovation, enabling you to refine your mentoring skills and broaden your professional network. Explore fresh methodologies and approaches that will enhance your mentoring journey and leave a lasting impact on your mentees
full day, in-person hands-on training
basic and advanced modules
practical exercises and case studies
Let’s determine your requirements and discuss upcoming training opportunities.
Mentorship Program Design
A thoughtfully crafted mentorship program can create a remarkable win-win-win scenario, fostering not only personal growth and development for individuals but also significantly enhancing the overall strength and resilience of your organization. Organizations can harness the transformative power of mentorship to propel success and cultivate a vibrant culture of continuous learning and improvement. An effective mentorship program typically encompasses: well-defined objectives, a structured program framework, careful participant selection, a thoughtful matching process, comprehensive training and resources, thorough evaluation, and constructive feedback. The benefits are substantial, including increased retention and engagement, enhanced knowledge transfer, and the preservation of invaluable institutional wisdom. It’s time to refresh your thinking and elevate your mentoring initiatives to new heights.
program design including material and support
design and roll-out workshops as needed
ongoing program support and/or management
Share your vision and explore next steps.
Success Stories
What Mentees Say
Dr.-Ing. Martin E. Zander, Deutsched Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
“With Klaus’ guidance, we were able to conduct a thorough analysis of our product core values and a systematic survey of potential customers.”
...
“Klaus brings valuable expertise in business development methods and tools, as well as extraordinary experience. This helped us to ask the right questions, gain an initial understanding of the market, test our business hypotheses, and also adjust some of our own expectations. We greatly appreciate Klaus’ profound feedback and fresh thinking. His highly motivating attitude encouraged us to develop a strong drive towards entrepreneurship, which was a new field to us. One thing that really helped us was the way he connects his vast experience in business consulting to our particular case. That was eye-opening. Thanks to his support, we were able to develop an initial business strategy and lay the groundwork for subsequent substantial project funding.”
Dr. Jürgen Matzka, GFZ German Centre For Geoscience
“Innovating with and being mentored by Klaus is a great experience.”
...
“I am constantly learning new concepts, at the same time we concentrate on the biggest challenges that I have in my project. Klaus is making sure we stay on track and his background fits well to my geo- and space science and technology background.”
Dr. Olaf Duteil, GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research
“I was mentored by Klaus to facilitate the transition from academia to entrepreneurship.”
...
Klaus created a safe, warm and supportive environment during our sessions together. Klaus is an excellent active listener and always replied to my questions and doubts in a very supportive and non-judgmental way. In the same time, he also highlighted a directive path by asking well-thought questions and guiding me at critical moments. More generally, Klaus provided me with a lot of advice, backed by his strong expertise in innovation, industry, and entrepreneurship. Thanks to Klaus I was able to clearly define my goals and to learn some of the tools necessary to achieve them. I look forward to the possibility of working with Klaus again in the future, as I continue to develop the innovative idea initiated during this fellowship.”
Some Organisations I Work With
