About me: http://docdro.id/1OgQlW6
I have actively founded or advised and helped more than 10 start-up companies in the last 5 years.
I currently coach several start-ups with 5 years of first-hand experience as a founder, owner, already 1 successful exit and having raised 5 times capital (5/5 success rate).
I can tell you on personal and professional level about pitfalls, challenges, different approaches and their likely outcome,..
I have founded and developed my first company during the 3 years after I graduated. A respected media group acquired it then. I have then started a real estate company in Uganda that I decided to discontinue after a year. The experiences in the field made me update the business plan very often and the opportunity left the plan when learning first hand. Since more than 2 years I advise start-ups and SME's and I also cooperate as interim where necessary. 5 years of first hand experience in business. Currently studying a Fintech course at MIT. I have attempted to raise capital five times with 5/5 success rate (3 times private, 1 time bank and 1 time crowdfunding) with highest being $1M. There is a lot of money out there, with the right network and strategy, it is easier than you may think to access it !
I have co-designed and tested the full User Experience for 3 start-ups now. Being a late adaptor, I am the safety check. If I like the UX, probably 80% of all users will like it. 4 years of First Hand Experience by developing, studying, monitoring and improving continuoulsy.
In the last 5 years I have guided or founded at least 10 different start-up companies in different sectors. 1 successfull exit, 3 canceled after test period, 7 in the running. I have a good overview of the challenges an idea or young company faces. Also on a personal level I can share with you how to manage yourself, an often underestimated factor in succeeding a long term strategy.
Besides business, I have produced and directed a 46-member crew in a Cinema picture (release March 2017) in my leisure time.
I have developed or guided 10 start-up companies in the last 5 years and made many more businessplans. 3rd place on European Business plan contest at London Business School in 2012. First place in Ghent Bridee 2012.
Between planning and success there is an amazing gap with challenges, unforeseen problems and the reality check that what you thought to be true turns out to be different. Time is limited since your funds are and times is money.
I've jumped face first several times into new projects from scratch and I am very comfortable handling a crisis. Good preparation is a good start. Accepting that it will not turn out exactly as planned is equally important.
