Blinkist as the Perfect Business Idea - Interview with Holger Seim

About this episode

The Five-Year Search for the Right Business Idea

Holger Seim is now one of Germany's most successful founders. With Blinkist, he has built an app startup that employs 55 people and ranks among Germany's flagship startups. However, the path to the perfect business idea was anything but straightforward - Seim waited a full five years for that crucial breakthrough.

The Long Road to Blinkist

Many founders believe that successful business ideas emerge overnight. Holger Seim's story proves the opposite. For five years, he searched for the right idea before Blinkist was born. This patience and persistence shows that even successful founders don't always hit the bullseye immediately.

The idea behind Blinkist - transforming complex non-fiction books into short, digestible summaries - didn't come overnight. It developed from the realization that many people would love to read more but simply don't have the time.

Lessons Learned: Recruitment and Leadership

As Blinkist grew to 55 employees, new challenges emerged for Seim. He particularly had to learn and adapt in the areas of recruitment and employee management. The transition from a small founding team to a mid-sized company brings completely new requirements.

The art lies in finding the right balance: maintaining the startup mentality and agility on one hand, while establishing structures and processes that enable sustainable growth on the other.

Staying Grounded Despite Investors

One of the biggest challenges for many startup founders is remaining down-to-earth despite external capital and success. Holger Seim demonstrates how to maintain your footing even with investor financing.

Pressure from investors can cause founders to lose focus on what's essential. This makes it all the more important to define clear principles and values that provide guidance even during difficult times.

Recommended Reading for Founders

During the conversation, Seim recommends four books that are particularly valuable for founders:

• –Lean Startup - The fundamentals of lean company building
• –Gewaltfreie Kommunikation (Nonviolent Communication) - Essential for employee leadership
• –The Hard Thing About Hard Things - Realistic insights into entrepreneurial challenges
• –Losing my Virginity - Richard Branson's entrepreneurial experiences

These books cover various aspects of entrepreneurship - from methodical approaches and interpersonal skills to practical experiences from successful entrepreneurs.

The Perfect Business Idea: Patience Pays Off

Holger Seim's story shows that the perfect business idea cannot be forced. Sometimes it takes time, patience, and the willingness to handle setbacks. What's important is not to remain idle during this time, but to continuously learn and develop.

Blinkist today proves that the long search was worthwhile. The company has filled a market gap and offers millions of people the opportunity to benefit from the insights of important non-fiction books, even with limited time.