BIA Meet the Mentors

Our interview series "Meet the Mentors" features coaches and mentors from our Future City and Future Health Accelerators. This edition showcases Jonas Krauspe ⭐️

What do you currently do? And what are you currently fighting for?

I have been working in healthcare strategy, innovation, technology scouting, and digital product development for most of the last 10 years, mostly as a freelance consultant, twice as a co-founder of digital health startups, and as an advisor to multiple startups. Right now, I am working on the next-generation data strategy and architecture for the R&D function of a global biotech/pharma company.

I have also started the 42 Berlin coding school, finishing the selection process last year and joining the program this year in May. Between work, school, family, and friends, I am fighting for some work-life balance ;) 

On a more serious note, making healthcare and health data accessible to everyone thus accelerating effective treatments. And supporting teams that are working on these goals.

What are 3 things you’ve learned from your work with entrepreneurs?

Those entrepreneurs I have worked with who have gotten very far with their startups and other endeavors share a few traits:

1) Intense passion for a problem coupled with a drive to find multiple solutions.

2) They are not afraid to get their hands dirty. The best entrepreneurs did a lot of heavy lifting themselves, both out of necessity - being bootstrapped - and virtue - knowing exactly what needed to be done and the preferred way to do it.

3) Knowing their own limits This involves asking for help if passion, drive, and a DIY attitude cannot be effectively deployed. This involves taking a break, and looking at the problem from a different angle. Finally, it involves a great sense of balance between speed and stability. 

What trends do you foresee in the next 5 years in the world of entrepreneurship? 

The integration of tools into easier-to-use platforms (think NoCode, virtual assistants, Notion AI) will make it easier for persons with subject matter expertise to bypass many limitations when building a product. I believe this will lead to more solopreneurs.

The shortage of skilled labor will change industry hiring and sourcing behavior, carving out multiple niches for small, nimble teams and offering a good solution to a very specific problem that used to be solved by hiring more people.

Lastly, the dearth and restraint of venture capital might encourage more founders to bootstrap a bit longer, building more IP and other assets before trying to attract investors - with an ever-growing toolkit, this is easier than ever.

What currently excites you in your field?

Digital health hardware and software products are becoming household items. 

Changing user expectations might finally tip the balance in favor of true digital health adoption at scale: good UX, more usability independent of time and location, and better interoperability.

I have seen multiple good attempts in my scouting work. I hope to see some wins in the near future.

Bonus field: Since I am just starting my coding journey, I am excited about the latest-generation tools to support coders. They help me focus on why I want to code: to build working solutions. Let the machines worry about where the semicolon goes.

Tell us one practical hack to boost work and life productivity.

Using the right tool for the job is great. Being able to do the job in your head / on paper is better because it enables you to switch much faster if a tool is not available or a better one is launched.

For a person who uses the computer almost all the time for their work, some of my best work is done on paper or on a whiteboard.

Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your time as a mentor/coach within the FCA/FHA?

My favorite thing to happen when coaching the Future Health Accelerator teams is the "eureka moment" face. Asking a question, explaining a concept or sharing a related anecdote and witnessing something "click" so intensely that the person's facial expression changes inadvertently. It is a little harder to catch during video conferences but it is possible.

Most times I have had the fortune of having a positive impact on the founders and teams, it was preceded by one or multiple "eureka" moments.

Is there anything you would like to share with the audience?

You can best contact me via LinkedIn or my website, www.jonaskrauspe.de.

While I am very happy as a consultant/advisor/mentor/coach, I am always interested in new opportunities that intersect between my skillset and interests.

I would love to hear from you.

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BIA is a boutique agency developing innovation, transformation and learning journeys for corporates, startups, and scaleups. Our pre-seed startup accelerators are our special impact initiatives, supporting ambitious entrepreneurs working to disrupt the future of urban life, health, and technology. Our programs are backed by the Berlin Senate and the European Social Fund.