Build Smarter, Not Harder: What Every First-Time Founder Should Know

7 practical lessons for first-time founders - from validating your idea to finding customers, networking and data protection. Build Smarter, Not Harder: What Every First-Time Founder Should Know 📅 Date and Time: Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | 13:00–14:30 📍 Location: Building 13, 3rd Floor, Campus Kleve, Rhine-Waal University, Sommerdeich 13 Language: English Participation: Free of charge | limited to 20 places A business idea is exciting. But what should you actually focus on first? In this practical talk, Lena Klingelberger, Sales Account Manager for small and medium-sized businesses at Deutsche Telekom, shares seven lessons that are especially useful when you are taking your first steps as a founder. The session brings together different aspects of the early founder journey, from understanding your customers and finding your first opportunities to building useful connections and developing good habits around data and information security. By the end of the session, you should have a clearer idea of what to focus on first, which mistakes to avoid and what your next steps could look like. The 7 practical lessons will cover: • Why an idea alone is not enough • Why customer validation should come before building • How to approach your first customers • Why networking matters • How personal branding and LinkedIn can support you • Basic information security and data protection habits to think about from day one • Common early-stage mistakes and how to avoid them Lena will also bring in practical perspectives from her work with start-ups and businesses in the Lower Rhine region. Who is it for? The event is aimed at international students and alumni of Rhine-Waal University and is also open to participants from outside the university who are curious about entrepreneurship or already working on a first start-up idea. No previous start-up experience is needed. The talk will be followed by a short Q&A and time for an informal exchange with Lena and the other participants. Snacks and drinks are included. The event is part of Gründungswoche Niederrhein and Gründungswoche Deutschland, which takes place from 16 to 22 November 2026. Interested? Register now and join us on 17 November.