Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Top 10 Startup Mistakes & What They Teach Us

by Andreas Pavlenko (Founder & CEO of Venture Wizards)

Thursday 10 Apr 2025, 09:30 → 12:00 Europe/Berlin

Background

Every founder's journey is filled with challenges, failures, and critical learning moments. This workshop offers a deep dive into the entrepreneurial experience, sharing real-world insights on the mindset, resilience, and leadership needed to navigate the startup landscape. Through a personal founder story, participants will explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including the struggles of finding the right co-founders, the top 10 mistakes in investments, legal forms, hiring pitfalls, structuring VSOPs (Virtual Stock Option Plans) and many more. By analyzing real mistakes and turning points, this session provides an unfiltered look at the realities of building a company and equips participants with the strategies to avoid common pitfalls while developing a strong entrepreneurial foundation.

Target audience

This workshop is for PhDs, scientists, innovation managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to develop a strong founder mindset. It is ideal for those who are curious about the realities of entrepreneurship and want to learn how to embrace failure, build resilience, and lead with confidence. 

Benefits

Participants will gain authentic insights into the entrepreneurial journey, learning from real mistakes and turning points. They will develop a resilient mindset to handle uncertainty and setbacks while building the leadership skills necessary to drive innovation. Through hands-on exercises and discussions, they will leave with practical strategies to stay motivated, make confident decisions, and lead with clarity. 

Outcomes for Participants

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a deeper understanding of what it takes to be a founder. They will develop mental resilience, an entrepreneurial mindset, and leadership skills that empower them to take action, navigate challenges, and drive meaningful innovation in their field. 

Your Speaker

Andreas Pavlenko I Founder & CEO Venture Wizard