Klara Prettl
My passion for entrepreneurship began when I developed an online platform with friends to promote local shopping. Despite our great enthusiasm, however, I felt that this particular project wasn’t quite the right fit for me, so I refocused on completing my degree. I was particularly fascinated by the practical application of scientific research in the field of visual Unternehmenskommunikation.
Last December, a female founder approached me at a workshop, which led to a valuable collaboration for her start-up. This opportunity is currently allowing me to test my skills in a real-world context.
My own start-up idea is based on building a bridge between academia and practice: I want to use insights from rhetoric and communication studies to help companies convey their messages more effectively. My goal is to build an agency that makes the power of scientifically grounded communication accessible to companies – starting with their digital presence.
What are your biggest challenges at the moment?
At the moment, I am faced with the task of effectively balancing my time between completing my Master’s degree and further developing my business idea. Although the work on my Master’s thesis on optimising landing pages ties in perfectly with my plans, the lack of time remains a constant challenge.
At the same time, I need to make targeted use of the valuable practical experience gained from working with start-ups to develop concrete implementation ideas for my own business and lay a solid foundation for launching my agency.
What is your goal for the duration of the EXIST-Women programme?
During the EXIST Women programme, I want to consistently develop my own business idea and put my theoretical knowledge into practice. The structure and support provided by the grant – including access to a valuable network, financial support and specialist workshops – offer me the ideal opportunity to approach my project strategically and lay the foundations for a successful business.
"I’ve already worked very closely with several start-ups and got to know even more through events across Germany. What have I learnt from this? It’s really tough to get your own business off the ground. But whether it works out or not: it’s worth it."