Tech Sector: Verena Pausder - Female Pioneer in the Tech Industry

Verena Pausder, a renowned business angel and the chairwoman of the German Startups Association, has made significant strides in the realms of digital education and startup success. With a background in business administration, Pausder's journey has been marked by resilience, innovation, and a keen eye for opportunity.

In 2012, Pausder founded Fox & Sheep with a vision to bring digital education closer to children. Today, the company is a leading player in the edtech industry, providing engaging and interactive learning experiences for young minds.

Pausder's approach to startup success is rooted in the belief that a strong team is key. She emphasises the importance of a team that works well together and has the right mindset. Technology, she believes, is a tool in early childhood education, not the enemy.

As a business angel, Pausder is interested in various technological areas. She invests in startups that address a real, scalable problem and have the potential to change markets or create new ones. Her investments often focus on financial education and promoting children, reflecting her belief that these are essential themes for future success.

Pausder's portfolio includes a variety of successful startups, each of which she believes has the potential to revolutionise its respective industry. She predicts that AI will revolutionise education with personalised learning paths and adaptive teaching methods.

However, Pausder's journey has not been without its challenges. She had a tough moment when she decided to liquidate her first startup after 12 months due to lack of success. But she advises that failure is part of the founding process and that it's important to learn, continue to develop, and never give up.

As the chairwoman of the German Startups Association, Pausder is focused on improving financing options for startups, addressing the skills shortage, promoting spin-offs from universities, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and establishing English as an official language in administration to make Germany an attractive location for global talent.

Pausder advocates concrete measures to make startups in Germany successful and competitive long-term. These include promoting a clear and consistent innovation strategy with defined responsibilities, reducing bureaucracy, improving access to capital, supporting direct subsidies in early phases, enhancing market entry through coordinated partnerships, and emphasising multidimensional diversity in startup support.

Pausder predicts that crises often bring forth the best innovations and that those who start now learn to operate efficiently and sustainably right away. She is looking forward to continuing to drive the German startup landscape forward and making Germany a true startup nation.

Pausder believes that digital competency, adaptability, and creativity are essential skills for future success in the job market. She finds the conversations with Matthias Schranner about the art of negotiation particularly inspiring.

Pausder's first business venture was a salad bar, which was not economically successful. But she learnt from the experience and moved on to bigger and better things, demonstrating her resilience and determination.

Together with Lea-Sophie Cramer, Pausder hosts the podcast "FAST & CURIOUS" to discuss topics around digital transformation and innovation. Through her work, Pausder continues to inspire and drive change, making a significant impact on the world of startups and digital education.