Founders never stop learning

“Raising a child is generally more challenging than creating a child”, this was the conclusion drawn by Inc., the US magazine for entrepreneurs – and the same goes for firms and products.

Well, as a father of two sons and cofounder of a startup, I can imagine what the author is trying to tell us.

In 2002 it was really a simple decision to found the company eagleyard Photonics GmbH: At last we had the opportunity to set up our own company and act independently of senior staff.

As a spinoff from the Ferdinand Braun Institute, one of eleven institutes headquartered at the Adlershof location, the company was proverbially born with a silver spoon in its mouth. There was a sound technology basis for manufacturing high power lasers, products were already available, and there were customers that the company could generate turnover with from the very outset – an extremely comfortable starting position. We didn’t need to do anything more than roll up our sleeves and get going.

That was seven years ago, and the company has now overcome its teething problems and is ready for school. And there is still so much to learn: Can employees on maternal leave claim holiday entitlement? Why are funds for financing hitech companies described as “risk capital”? Do founders (or parents) really have to be all knowing?

At least the last question has a comforting answer: Although founders and managing directors are responsible for everything, they do not need to be all knowing. And that is the special advantage of Adlershof. Here there are friendly companies, partners, and kindred spirits that will help you and you will be pleased to help in all questions.

It is a challenge to set up and steer a company in the arena of customers, investors, employees, and legal provisions. This is not always easy, but then again: Is your family?

Your
Jörg Muchametow
Managing Director
eagleyard Photonics GmbH