Roots 2 Disrupt

Young Founders Network
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Roots 2 Disrupt

A podcast about ideas, resilience, and leadership. Here we explore the journeys of extraordinary leaders who dared to dream, faced challenges, and transformed visions into reality. Through deep, introspective conversations, we uncover lessons in growth, meaning, and the relentless pursuit of impact. Join us as we dive into the stories shaping the world—and find inspiration to shape your own.

  1. 6D AGO

    AI-Powered Drone Delivery: Pure Disruption in Logistics & Solving one of Biggest Global Challenges with Cem Uyanik, Founder and CEO of Urban Ray

    Cem Uyanik is co-founder and CEO of Urban Ray, a German drone company that will begin operations in 2025 after 5 years of development and regulatory work. By connecting pick-up lockers with flying couriers, Urban Ray's solution enables the fastest and most efficient deliveries. Cem and his team have a vision of a fully connected world where anyone can send goods anywhere in just one day, without human intervention! In this episode, we talk about the challenges Urban Ray's team has faced, their journey straight from university to building a deep-tech company that disrupts multiple industries, and Cem Uyanik also announces for the first time in an interview that Urban Ray has received SAIL III approval from the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, which means they can finally start flying in Germany! This is the start of a huge disruption, a better future for humanity, especially in healthcare where even seconds can save lives, but also the death of broken traditional logistics! In this episode, we discuss: ✅ How Artificial Intelligence and drones are disrupting traditional logistics ✅ The challenges of building an autonomous drone company from scratch ✅ How Urban Ray’s flying couriers work with AI-driven logistics ✅ The future of drone delivery and the death of broken traditional logistics ✅ Exclusive news: Urban Ray’s regulatory approval and what’s next! This Episode is hosted by Ahmad Zandnia. 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Cem Uyanik, co-founder of Urban Ray, and learn how he is disrupting logistics with autonomous drone delivery 00:55 – How Friends Describe Him: Cem shares insights into his personality, ambition, and optimistic realism 03:32 – Shaped by His Environment: How Cem’s background, education, and extracurricular activities led him to entrepreneurship 08:18 – Breaking Away from the Safe Path: Why Cem chose startups over a stable career in aerospace engineering 12:47 – Resilience & The Immigrant Experience: How overcoming challenges as a second-generation immigrant shaped Cem’s entrepreneurial mindset 17:08 – Urban Ray’s Billion-Dollar Vision: What Urban Ray is, how it works, and its potential to revolutionize logistics 21:54 – Building the Right Team: The importance of strong co-founders, mentorship, and learning business skills on the fly 26:40 – Navigating Regulations: Overcoming legal and bureaucratic challenges to get approval for urban drone delivery 32:15 – Funding Challenges in Deep Tech: Why European investors are risk-averse and how Urban Ray approaches fundraising 38:50 – Why Start with Healthcare? The strategic decision behind launching Urban Ray in the medical logistics sector 44:27 – The Technology Behind Urban Ray: How AI-powered logistics and automation drive efficiency in drone deliveries 50:18 – The Military vs. Civilian Use Debate: Why Urban Ray remains focused on civilian logistics and avoids defense applications 55:50 – Parental Reactions to Entrepreneurship: How Cem’s parents initially struggled to accept his startup journey 57:25 – Final Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: Cem’s three biggest lessons on following your passion, having a clear purpose, and seeking mentorship Visit our Website:https://youngfounders.network/ Visit Urban Ray's Website:https://www.urban-ray.com/ Visit Cem Uyanik's LinkedIn Profile: / cemuyanik  - #artificialintelligence #aistartup #techinnovation #futureofai #machinelearning #aifounders #deeptech #airevolution #innovationhub #techforgood #startuplife #entrepreneurmindset #founderjourney #techstartups #buildinpublic #scalingup #fromideatostartup #startupculture #deeptech #failfast #immigrantsuccess #refugeetofounder #firstgenfounder #migrantentrepreneurs #diversityintech #againstallodds #successmindset #dreambig #resilienceandgrit #hustleculture #roots2disrupt #logistics

    58 min

  2. FEB 28

    What No One Tells You About AI, Startups & The Future of Innovation with Mahdi Srour - Co-Founder of Ada IQ

    Mahdi Srour is the Founder of AdaIQ, an AI-driven platform revolutionising product design. He is a 2nd generation immigrant with Lebanese roots. Mahdi's journey took him from being a 2nd generation immigrant to RWTH Aachen, working as an AI researcher at MIT to disrupting industries with AdaIQ. The company uses AI to predict market trends and optimise product design, reducing failure rates and costs for global brands. In this episode we talked to him about how AI will change our lives and businesses, how to come up with ideas for innovative AI ventures, and what you really need to succeed in the era of AI.This episode is hosted by Ahmad Zandnia and Hazhir Javanmardi. 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Mahdi Srour, co-founder of AdaIQ, and learn about his journey from RWTH Aachen to MIT and AI entrepreneurship. 01:35 – Curiosity as the Driving Force: How Mahdi’s early fascination with science and human behavior shaped his career. 02:41 – Scholarships & Community: The impact of the Stadtstiftung and Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes on Mahdi’s journey. 04:00 – Breaking Out of Academia: How international experiences in Beijing, Sweden, and MIT expanded Mahdi’s perspective. 06:35 – The Birth of AdaIQ: How an academic research project turned into a company shaping the future of product development. 07:39 – What is the Stadtstiftung? Mahdi explains how this scholarship supports young talents. 08:32 – The Power of Environment: Why open-minded ecosystems are crucial for innovation. 10:49 – US vs. Germany: Why American founders dream bigger and what Germany can learn from it. 15:52 – AdaIQ’s Vision: How AI can predict market success before a product is even made. 19:15 – How It Works: Can AI design your next microphone, sneaker, or car? 22:47 – The Challenges of AI: How to balance creativity, data, and real market demand. 25:52 – How to Start an AI Company (Even Without a Tech Background!) 29:27 – Finding the Right AI Business Model: Where are the biggest gaps in AI today? 32:52 – What Makes a Great Founder? It’s not what you think… 37:02 – The Immigrant Experience: Mahdi’s personal struggles and what helped him succeed. 40:52 – AI & Ethics: How can we build AI that actually benefits humanity? 46:04 – Europe’s AI Future: Is Europe too late to the game? 52:47 – Mahdi’s Biggest Mistakes & Lessons Learned: What he wishes he knew earlier. –--------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on Instagram:  / roots2disru.  . Follow us on TikTok:  / roots.2.disru.  . Visit our Website:https://youngfounders.network/ Visit AdaIQ's Website:https://www.adaiq.com/ Visit Mahdi's LinkedIn Profile:  / mahdisrour    #artificialintelligence #aistartup #techinnovation #futureofai #machinelearning #aifounders #deeptech #airevolution #innovationhub #techforgood #startuplife #entrepreneurmindset #founderjourney #techstartups #buildinpublic #scalingup #fromideatostartup #startupculture #b2bsaas #failfast #immigrantsuccess #refugeetofounder #firstgenfounder #migrantentrepreneurs #diversityintech #againstallodds #successmindset #dreambig #resilienceandgrit #hustleculture

    56 min

  3. FEB 21

    "I couldn't cook! I started an Internet Company but had no money and couldn't code!" — Mengting Bönsch

    Mengting Bönsch is the co-founder and former CEO of Kitchen Stories, a global cooking platform with over 22 million users. Kitchen Stories was initially bootstrapped for several years by Mengting and Verena Hubertz, who is now part of the SPD parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, Mengting is now an investor and founder of a healthcare company called Leni's Lab. They had no programming or even cooking skills when they started building Kitchen Stories, which makes their story extremely unique. It quickly became a leading cooking platform in 150 countries and even caught the attention of Apple CEO Tim Cook, who visited their Berlin office.This episode is hosted by Nour Idelbi and Ahmad Zandnia. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro – Welcome to Roots 2 Disrupt Podcast with Mengting Bönsch 1:03 Meet Mengting Bönsch – Co-founder of Kitchen Stories 1:38 From China to Germany – How immigration shaped her journey 3:35 Biggest Challenges as an Immigrant Entrepreneur 7:45 How Kitchen Stories Started – From a crazy idea to reality 11:00 The Initial Struggles – No money, no coding, no cooking skills 14:11 Breaking into the Startup Scene – Feeling like an outsider? 16:29 How Apple CEO Tim Cook Discovered Kitchen Stories 18:15 Funding Struggles – Convincing investors without a network 22:36 How to Get Early Users – Growth hacks that built 22M users 28:08 The Power of Design – Why UX & details made Kitchen Stories win 31:45 The Role of Female Founders in Tech – A different perspective? 34:38 Scaling a Startup – From Berlin to a 150 other countries 37:50 How Kitchen Stories Built a Global Community 42:05 Life After Kitchen Stories – What’s next for Mengting?44:45 New Startup: Leni’s Lab – Solving a big problem for parents 50:52 Fundraising Advice for Founders – How to win investors 55:45 Final Thoughts – Key lessons from Mengting’s journey -------------------------------------------------------------------- Music: BensoundArtist Lunar Years License code: WNLILNYY3YFTR1VJ #StartupSuccess #KitchenStories #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourney #TimCook #WomenInTech #StartupGrind #ProductDesign #ImmigrantEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth #FoodTech #StartupAdvice #roots2disrupt

    55 min

  4. FEB 6

    From an Immigrant to LSE, High Finance Career, and Revolutionizing Private Markets with Levent Altunel, Co-Founder of Bunch

    Levent Altunel is a founding member of 2hearts and the co-founder of Bunch with Enrico Ohnemüller, a fintech startup with $23 million in total funding and over $2 billion in transaction volume, revolutionizing the private market by enabling funds and investors to operate, administer, and transact seamlessly. He studied electrical engineering, later at LSE, then worked as a junior banker at Citi Bank, a consultant at Roland Berger, and a VC investor at SquareOne before founding Bunch This episode is hosted by Luis Markmann and Ahmad Zandnia. -------------------------------------------------------------------- With Levent Altunel we discuss: 0:00 - The Founding Story of 2hearts: A Community for Immigrants in Tech3:10 - Growing Up Multicultural: Personal Experiences and Role Models7:24 - The Impact of 2hearts and Changes in the Tech Industry10:32 - Challenges in Integration: Discrimination and Cultural Fit in Tech14:21 - Navigating Career Choices: From Finance to Consulting to VC21:07 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Building a Strong Foundation25:34 - Finding the Right Co-Founder: Trust and Complementary Skills32:38 - The Future of FinTech: Opportunities and Market Trends40:00 - Scaling Challenges: Managing Growth and Team Dynamics46:04 - The Role of AI in Revolutionizing the Private Market Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/42ijB4A...Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast...Follow Root 2 Disrupt on Instagram:  / roots2disru.  .Follow Roots 2 Disrupt on TikTok:   / roots.2.disru.  .Visit our Website:https://youngfounders.network/Visit Bunch's Website: https://www.bunch.capital/Visit Levent Altunel's LinkedIn Profile:  / levent-altunel  #finance #founder #CEO #venturecapital #startups #fundraising #SamAltman #openai #businesstips #fintech #finance #business #businesstips #growth #founderstory #founder

    40 min
  5. From Immigrant Roots to Yale, McKinsey, and Saving thousands of Lives with Dr. Jonathan Apasu

    JAN 23

    From Immigrant Roots to Yale, McKinsey, and Saving thousands of Lives with Dr. Jonathan Apasu

    Dr. Jonathan Apasu is the co-founder of Adon Health, a fast-growing health tech company focused on improving men's health with a primary focus on testosterone replacement therapies.  with Dr. Jonathan Apasu We Discuss: 0:00 - The Story Begins: Who is Behind This Journey? 1:55 - Overcoming Adversity: A Unique Cultural Perspective 4:30 - From Struggles to Medicine: A Passion Ignited 9:58 - Life at Yale: Breaking Barriers and Big Aspirations 12:46 - Medical School Showdown: Germany vs. USA Revealed 15:56 - The Testosterone Crisis: What Every Man Needs to Know 20:39 - Hidden Dangers: Are Microplastics Destroying Our Health? 22:38 - The Science of Testosterone Deficiency: How It’s Treated 25:36 - Life Hacks for Better Health: Small Changes, Big Impact 27:27 - A Bold Move: Leaving Medicine for Consulting 30:16 - Startup Dreams: How Consulting Led to Big Innovations 32:07 - A Game-Changer: Holistic Approaches to Testosterone Health 37:52 - Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Myths vs. Facts 39:48 - Adon Health: Revolutionizing Men’s Health Worldwide 42:32 - Startup Struggles: What They Don’t Tell You 46:27 - The Future of Men’s Health: Breaking New Ground 47:55 - Why Men’s Mental Health Matters More Than Ever 50:55 - Real Lives, Real Impact: Transformative Patient Stories 53:29 - From Idea to Reality: Advice for Entrepreneurs 54:45 - Why Germany? The Strategy Behind Adon Health’s Move 57:48 - Surprising Conversations: Testosterone Tales from the Field Adon Health's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1orsEUrHUdyWOxrd5CQ1td?si=m8GiIw7XR06XhTdHoUSp4w #founder #CEO #venturecapital #startups #fundraising #SamAltman #openai #businesstips #health #healthtips #business #businesstips

    58 min
  6. Darius Göttert, digitale Visitenkarten gibt es viele - Wie denkt SPREADLY sie von Grund auf neu?

    04/03/2024

    Darius Göttert, digitale Visitenkarten gibt es viele - Wie denkt SPREADLY sie von Grund auf neu?

    Digitale Visitenkarten gibt es wie Sand am Meer - Mit Spreadly hat Darius nicht den konventionellen Weg digitalisiert. Aus einer One Link Solution, ist eine ganze Suite geworden, um Unternehmen bei der Digitalen Kontaktpflege zu supporten. Durch geniale Fragen unserer Hosts Leon und Joel wirst du viel an Learnings für die Anfänge deines eigenen Startups lernen können 🙌 💡 Darius spricht über seine Anfänge in der Welt der Startups, angefangen von einer Schülerfirma, die Uhren aus alten Schallplatten herstellte, bis hin zu seinem Einstieg bei 3Bears 🚀 In der Folge Erzählt von seiner Zeit bei einem Food Startup, das in kürzester Zeit auf hunderte Mitarbeiter gewachsen ist und wie diese Erfahrungen ihn bei der Gründung von Spreadly geprägt haben. 🤝 Ein besonderes Augenmerk liegt auf der Bedeutung von Networking und Kontaktpflege: Das Wasser wird nicht wärmer, nur weil man später springt. Pro Tipp: Auf dem Oktoberfest arbeiten, um sales in kurzer Zeit zu lernen und schnell extrovertierter zu werden. 🎓 Darius' ungewöhnlicher Bildungsweg ist ebenfalls ein Thema. Er erzählt, wie er mit 16 Jahren nach Berlin gezogen ist, um ein Wirtschaftsgymnasium in München zu besuchen. 🌐 Wieso Indien und nicht USA? Wir spreche über einen der innovativsten, kompetitivsten und am schnellsten wachsenden Märkte weltweit und wie sie mit einem Accelerator Zugang bekommen. 🔮 Zum Abschluss gibt Darius einen Ausblick auf die Zukunft von Spreadly und was wir in den nächsten Monaten und Jahren erwarten können. 👉️ Also, nicht verpassen! Diese Folge ist vollgepackt mit wertvollen Einblicken und Inspiration für alle angehenden Unternehmer und die, die es werden wollen. Hör auf jeden Fall rein!

    1 hr
  7. Mit KI die Digitalisierung von Unternehmen revolutionieren: Futurised | Max Schlensag

    11/23/2023

    Mit KI die Digitalisierung von Unternehmen revolutionieren: Futurised | Max Schlensag

    👨‍💻 Seine Reise begann mit einer Ausbildung, wo die Idee zur Digitalisierung von Prozessen mit Futurised kam. 🤖 Mit Futurised bauen sie Softwareroboter und tauchen in die Welt der KI ein. Diese Technologien nutzten sie um Prozesse zu automatisieren, die sonst von Menschen erledigt würden. 💼 Durch Kontakte in die Banken- und Versicherungsbranche entwickelt er einzigartige Lösungen für Digitalisierung. Durch KI Lösen sie komplexe Probleme, die normalerweise viel Zeit beanspruchen. 🌐 Sein Netzwerk ist beeindruckend – heute kennt er jeden Vorstand Deutscher Banken. Diese Beziehungen helfen ihm, seine Ideen zu skalieren und sein Unternehmen auszubauen. 🦁 Bei DHDL haben sie 250k von Carsten Maschmeyer geraised, um Unternehmen zu digitalisieren und den Fachkräfte Mangel zu bekämpfen. 💡 Ihr neustes Produkt: SmartAssistant AI, entwickelt in Zusammenarbeit mit Lufthansa Industry Solutions. Sie bauen eigene Sprachmodelle (wie ChatGPT) um interne Daten mit Prompts zu durchsuchen. 🚀 Seine Vision: die Digitalisierung von Banken und Versicherungen vorantreiben. Hier findet ihr Max: Auf LinkedIn KI Praxistalk Podcast Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:48 Start 1:24 Kindheit, Schulzeit & Erste Businessidee 4:46 Wann kam die Idee zu Futurised & erster MVP 7:34 Ihre KI / Software Produkte 10:20 Wie hat er Eltern überzeugt? 12:12 Wo Banken und Versicherungen ihre KI nutzen 13:40 Wie sie Kontakt in Banken bekommen haben 19:22 Wie man 250k bei Höhle der Löwen bekommt 25:28 Alles zum Futurised Team 29:37 Ihr neustes Produkt: Internes ChatGPT 35:42 Wie ist die Konkurrenz aufgestellt? 36:37 Wie ist der Alltag organisiert? 40:47 Finanzämter zu digitalisieren ist unmöglich 45:26 Game: Founders Highway - Max’ beste Tipps um neue Skills zu lernen

    50 min
  8. Wie wollt ihr Papiervisitenkarten den Kampf ansagen: MyTaag | Davis Zöllner

    11/02/2023

    Wie wollt ihr Papiervisitenkarten den Kampf ansagen: MyTaag | Davis Zöllner

    DHDL Investment von Carsten Maschmeyer, 500k Investment, Kunden wie DB Schenker, Kühne + Nagel uvm | über all das Sprechen co-host Philipp und ich mit Davis in der heutigen Folge. 🚀 Davis hat während der Schulzeit mit seinem Co-Founder Berkay MyTaag gegründet. 📢 Während bürokratische Hürden das Gründen verzögerten, nutzte Davis die Zeit für Pressearbeit. Die Geschichte ist geil und Redaktionen brauchen coole Stories. 📱 "MyTaag" war geboren: digitale Visitenkarten für alle! Jeder Mitarbeiter eines Unternehmens kann seine Kontakte aktuell halten. Analysen zeigen, welches Event top war. 🦁 Durch Höhle der Löwen sind sie richtig durchgestartet. Nach dem Deal: Produktentwicklung, Team-Aufbau, Durchstarten. Sie haben sich junge, ehrgeizige Leute ins Team geholt und angefangen zu machen. 📞 Davis Spezialgebiet: Das Telefon. Er teilt seine besten Tipps, wie du Sales auf ein neues Level bringen kannst. Außerdem shared er wie sie den Workload nach DHDL geschafft haben. 🌏 Ziel: DACH-Region und Expandierung nach Japan, wo die Visitenkarten heilig sind. 💼 Ob im Büro oder remote, das "MyTaag"-Team gibt Vollgas. “Wir arbeiten hart, aber wir wissen, wofür. Und wir haben Spaß dabei!” Vielen Dank für das tolle Gespräch, Davis! Hat viel Spaß gemacht 🙌 🚀 Inspiriert? Dann hör in die Folge mit Davis rein. Du wirst viel aus seinen Erfahrungen und Learnings mitnehmen! ----- Hier findet ihr mehr zu ihm: MyTaag Davis auf LinkedIn Mehr zum YFN ----- Timestamps: 0:00 Trailer 0:55 Intro 1:44 Wie sind sie auf die Idee gekommen? 2:43 Startup und Schule vereinbar? 5:41 Weg & Tipps für die Presse 7:29 Wie sah die Gründung und erster Prototyp aus? 11:05 Ist “NameDrop” von Apple eine Gefahr? 14:23 Zeit nach Höhle der Löwen 18:23 Seine besten Sales Tipps 20:48 Ziel von myTaag und Expandierung nach Japan 23:24 Wie hat Carsten Maschmeyer konkret unterstützt? 24:42 Was verändert sich durch Investment von 500k 29:23 Wodurch kam Fokus auf Logistik Unternehmen? 31:08 Wo soll myTaag hin? 33:06 Büro lieber in der Innenstadt oder Außerhalb? 35:10 Woher nimmt er die Energie 14h am Tag zu arbeiten?

    39 min
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    About

    A podcast about ideas, resilience, and leadership. Here we explore the journeys of extraordinary leaders who dared to dream, faced challenges, and transformed visions into reality. Through deep, introspective conversations, we uncover lessons in growth, meaning, and the relentless pursuit of impact. Join us as we dive into the stories shaping the world—and find inspiration to shape your own.

    Information

    • Creator
      Young Founders Network
    • Years Active
      2021 - 2025
    • Episodes
      83
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Young Founders Network
    • Show Website
      Roots 2 Disrupt

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