Today , the ecoligo team is celebrating their fifth natal day . As a start - up – or rather a musical scale - up – this is a huge mickle ! Not only are they gallant to have made it this far , but the five years behind them are some of the most challenging , exciting and sometimes downright nerve - wracking they ’ve ever have . " We took some fourth dimension to reflect and deal what we ’ve learned from this amazing journeying , " Martin Baart and Markus Schwaninger , ecoligo ’s founders society herald .
Persistence is key"Our business model at ecoligo is far from standard , serve both individual investors in Germany and business leaders from countries across come forth markets . More than once , we were tell that our ideas were unhinged : we were being too ambitious , or our model was too complex . Where we see synergy and covering a big part of the economic value chain as a key succeeder enabler , others had tell us that it would be impossible to execute this as it would mean building up several different businesses at once . It took a farsighted time to get funding in the beginning , because we were pioneers in our field and many investors were scared to back something with tax revenue generated in marketplace very far away .
However , we in full trust in ecoligo : we ’d give it serious consideration , mapped out our plan , and knew the marketplace – and the massive potential . We had some great encouragement ( a big thank you to EIT InnoEnergy for their ever - present reenforcement and to our first investors for believing in us and our capacity to fork out on gravid goals ) but it was our persistence that brought us to this point . In times when our runway was rather short and clients took long to determine , people told us it ’s not deserving all the stress or things just were n’t going to plan , our notion and commitment – and that of our squad – figure us through .
Takeaway : constitute a start - up take moxie , strong belief and tenaciousness . We ’re proud of having persist and spat all the other start - ups that have done , too . "
People want to do good in the world"Don’t rent the news cycle make you believe otherwise : People really do want to do good in the world . We ’ve see this in countless area ; those who ’ve supported us on our journeying , the passionate the great unwashed we ’ve worked with and the crowdinvestors who finance our task .
The late milepost of 10 million Euros raised on ecoligo.investments reenforce this . When people realize what their money can do , they parachute at the opportunity to make a positive impact with their investments . Who want to actively fund fogy fuels and other pollutants ? Nobody we bed – but many are still doing it unwittingly . "
Prioritize transparency"In a complex world with ever - increasing sum of money of greenwashing , trust is key . Being transparent is decisive , especially as a company fighting in many countries . For ecoligo , this mean being heart-to-heart and true with crowdinvestors and business sector better half throughout each stage of the process – through the bad clock time and the goodness .
With crowdinvestors , it ’s crucial that they have an understanding of the peril they take on for each labor and receive regular updates on the status of their invested projects . During the COVID pandemic , we ’ve search to inform investor of our actions and the status in our markets . When two of our project were not realised , we made indisputable that visitor to the chopine had full visibility and informed all investors with a elaborate update . We managed to repay them in full including interest group , but the crystalline communicating seemed to be even more important to them than the money .
With our patronage partners , we ’ve play firmly to establish processes that ascertain they have visibility into each stage of installation and beyond . Through this , we ’ve make faith and security that is invaluable for ecoligo – and for those who crop with us .
Takeaway : Credibility is only becoming more important . Being undecided with partners and customer let you build a strong introduction that weather the storms . "
Changing your life is deserving it for the planet"Any founder will tell you that begin a company will change how you live . For us , it intend going from security to insecurity , from stable salaries to not even paying ourselves . Markus has had two children since plant ecoligo , foregoing long paternal parting for short breaks when time allow .
Visible shock : 100 kWp system at Credible Blooms , Kenya . follow an ambitious goal take a lot . But the matter of the climate crisis is urgent , and if we do n’t pretend our lives are going to change beyond our ascendence . Changing your life to sour on something you conceive in is not easy , but one of the most rewarding experiences you’re able to have . And when you ’re doing it for a bountiful destination – like saving the satellite – there ’s no enquiry of it being worth it .
takeout food : Solving the spheric challenges we ’re present is a big task that postulate handsome changes . But a batch can come from giving up security and stability . "
Keep see and adapting"Believe in yourself and your idea – but constantly call into question it , too ! One of the most significant thing as a founding father is to unendingly pick up and grow . From the mo you get hold a fellowship , you ’ve draw a passel to do and it can feel like there ’s not time for this – but it ’s very authoritative for you , your team and your troupe .
At ecoligo , we had to adapt a portion . We went through substantial changes and had to acclimatise to rule , mart fluctuations and unexampled squad structures . Staying flexible and keeping a incontrovertible mindset has been crucial . Remember that your market and clients are also exchange , too : keep yourself updated and always endeavour to become well in supporting your client and partners .
And last but certainly not least : work on your leadership skills . Leading a big squad , supporting and boost them and then reckon them attain awesome thing is the most rewarding thing about founding a start - up . pass on big impact take star players who work together and we are fabulously proud to have build such a team – or how we call it : crew .
takeout food : Take the meter to learn and meliorate . Not only will it be good for your clientele , but it ’s a serious example for your team , too . "
For more information : ecoligoecoligo.com
