Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Greentech Talents: Career starters and career changers often face many uncertainties: lack of networks, limited experience, and pressure to get up to speed quickly. Through our innovative and customized cross-mentoring programs, which bring together mentees and mentors from different companies and industries, we put the individual strengths and goals of mentees at the center. Our goal is to support talented junior professionals, young professionals, and career changers from the greentech industry on their career paths and connect them with forward-thinking companies and mentors. Our founder and CEO Jörg is committed to ensuring that cross-mentoring programs are thought holistically, with topics such as mental health being considered alongside networking and professional development.
Our mission: a fulfilling career for everyone! To achieve this, we offer a platform for trustworthy and hierarchy-free exchange as well as personal development.
Munich Startup: But that already exists!
Greentech Talents: That’s true – comprehensive internal mentoring programs are offered almost exclusively by large corporations. Greentech Talents steps in right here: many small and medium-sized enterprises in the greentech industry lack the personnel or financial resources to develop such programs independently. The cross-mentoring program from Greentech Talents fills this gap by offering a holistic and cost-effective alternative tailored specifically to this industry in the German-speaking region. According to feedback from our first partner companies, the insights into other companies, their culture and processes, strengthen the loyalty of mentees and mentors to their own companies. At the same time, it fosters their motivation to develop professionally and take on more responsibility in their organization.
Talent for a more sustainable future
Munich Startup: What’s your founding story?
Greentech Talents: Our founding story at Greentech Talents is closely linked to Jörg’s goal of supporting people in their professional development. For over 20 years, he worked in personnel services to build efficient sales organizations. Over time, however, he realized that the industry was neither prepared for upcoming challenges nor willing to tackle necessary changes. Additionally, his doubts grew about whether an environment characterized by status symbols like private jet company trips, ever-larger company SUVs, and high salaries was really a worthwhile goal.
A burnout and several months of leave led Jörg to the realization that it’s more important to help people achieve sustainable careers while positively impacting the world. This insight led to the founding of Greentech Talents – a platform that promotes talent and helps companies in the greentech sector successfully master the challenges of the emerging demographic crisis and shape a more sustainable future.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Greentech Talents: Financing and correct positioning are of course always major challenges for a startup. But our biggest challenge so far has been developing our matching algorithm. In cross-mentoring, where mentoring partners come from different companies, matching is crucial. Studies show that the best results occur when both partners share similar values, views, and attitudes.
To achieve this, we collect data such as professional experience, career goals, and development needs. Additionally, mentors and mentees go through a game-based online assessment. Based on this foundation, our algorithm determines the optimal mentoring pairs.
Goal: becoming a driving force for sustainable careers
Munich Startup: Where do you want to be in one year, where in five years?
Greentech Talents: In one year, we want to expand our network at Greentech Talents further and establish ourselves as the leading platform for cross-mentoring in the greentech sector. Our goal is to bring together companies and talent that enrich each other and continuously improve our matching algorithm to achieve optimal mentoring results.
In five years, we see ourselves as a driving force for sustainable careers with strong international presence. We want not only to advance the green economy, but also to set mentoring standards that have long-term positive impacts on the professional and personal development of our mentees and mentors.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Greentech Talents: Munich is an ideal location for our startup. We particularly benefit from the many events and workshops that provide us with guidance and help us grow. The exchange with other greentech startups constantly inspires us and gives us new ideas. We believe: Munich is characterized by a strong startup community that is visibly and tangibly well-networked and supports each other.
Munich Startup: Quick exit or long-term commitment?
Greentech Talents: To change the world, we need endurance. Our motto: only those who want the impossible can achieve the possible.
