Leadership is an invisible core of every organization, especially in startups. In fast-moving teams where everything happens at once and no one has time for “structures,” leadership is what determines direction and working culture. Yet it's often underestimated, delegated too late or simply done wrong. 

When it comes to startup growth, nothing beats the founder's initial hard work. From direct customer conversations to structured pipeline management, sales success is built on foundational principles. 

Germany is one of the biggest, but also one of the more complex and competitive markets in Europe. For international startups, entering this environment requires more than a strong product — it demands deep market understanding, regulatory awareness, and access to the right local partners. But, once a foothold has been achieved, the German market with its strong medium sized companies and hidden global champions can offer great growth opportunities for international startups.

This year's HHL SpinLab Investors Day discussed one of the central questions of the VC world: Why do only a few venture capital firms succeed in producing unicorns and why do so many others fail? Under the title “Power Law - Why some VCs produce many unicorns and most VCs none”, Chris Burkhardt (2150vc), Ertan Can (Multiple Capital), Martin Böhringer (Staffbase) and Maximillian Mayer (Activant Capital) discussed the mechanisms, opportunities and myths behind power law in venture capital.

“Fail fast, learn faster” - this is not only a common mantra in the startup cosmos, but also a bitter reality in many cases. The road to a successful startup is rocky, full of setbacks and failed ideas. But what if the reason for failure is not the product or the market, but the founder themselves?

Eric Weber, CEO and founder of SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator, shares his analysis of the global venture capital landscape. Covering international, national, and regional developments, his insights reveal the shifting dynamics of startup financing in 2024 and what founders and investors need to pay attention to.

As a founder, staying informed and inspired is essential for growth. From the latest trends to tried-and-true best practices, there’s always something new to explore. But let’s face it: as a busy entrepreneur, finding the time to sit down with a book or article isn’t always possible.

A family office is a private wealth management advisory firm created by high-net-worth families to manage their financial affairs. These offices provide a range of services beyond simple investment management, including estate planning, tax optimization, philanthropic efforts, and more. The family office is typically founded by founders or wealthy families who require specialized, personalized management of their assets.

Startups operate in environments characterized by extreme uncertainty, rapid change, and intense pressure. Traditional hierarchical leadership models often fall short.  Astudy by Startup Genome found that leadership is one of the top three reasons for startup success or failure.  In contrast, Modern Leadership—focusing on empathy, emotional intelligence, and resilience, has proven to be particularly effective in meeting the needs of startup teams.

Venture debt has long been widespread in the U.S. and Israel, but it only started gaining traction in Germany in 2018, when Silicon Valley Bank established its European branch. This marked the introduction of tailored loan products specifically designed for startups in the region.