Finding Kenneth 🔍

I was introduced to this EPFL course through the Unitec, “Valorisation de la recherche” course. Coming from psychology, educational technologies, and working as a lab assistant during four years, the option of pursuing an academic career was THE option. However, I wanted to create more than to do fundamental research. What were the options offered after finishing a Master in Learning and Teaching Technologies? What about creating a start-up that would go beyond the limitations often taught in the field? A lot of good ideas were stemming from the fruitful discussions between students, assistants and teachers but most of them, unfortunately, are now remaining in limbo or are totally forgotten. I think it’s a shame.

I also think that students, at their early stages in the University, should be introduced to what it is to create a start-up. At least, they should be introduced to knowing the actors and the economic processes underlying a capitalist world. One observation I have made is that 90% of the people attending the start-up events at the university of Geneva are PhD students or Post-Docs.

When I began the first courses in September 2023, it was very disturbing for me. I felt like I was not in the right place. When you are willing to create your own start-up, for sure you must be confident and believe in yourself otherwise people might not trust your ideas and vision. Then, I found out that most of this was a facade and the people were, like me, attending the practical course to learn.

Being impressed by this new environment, I did not suggest any start-up idea (and this was a shame too ha!). Despite my lack of idea, I joined the development of Rebuild.easy. This start-up aims at providing an online platform helping house owners who want to renovate their real estate by offering them a one-stop-shop and no upfront cost. I teamed up with two great people : Jean Ventura the founder and Steven Schramiak the business mastermind. The project attracted me first because of the energy and friendly aura from Jean, and second because house renovation was my week-end activity during the last two years.

Here is what I learned during the entire semester (here for more tips):

  1. I discovered the small Swiss startup ecosystem and few of their actors (for example, FONGIT, VentureLab, GENILEM, Unitec). I now know the network if someday I want to create my own start-up.

  2. I got introduced to finance, law and economics. “Cash is king”, they say.

  3. Market research is the core pilar of your start-up – like UX for a product. Find the needs!

When I now hear start-up, I see either people passionate about their work and trying to solve a current problem, either people who are grabbing opportunities that the current world is offering. What about you?