Today I talk to Alexander Mrozek, CEO at Oetker Digital, columnist at WirtschaftsWoche, and host of the Digitale Optimisten Podcast, one of the most streamed podcasts globally.

As the leader of Dr. Oetker’s digitalization and venture-building unit, founder of an award-winning startup, and owner of the best database for business ideas in Germany, Alex is an absolute expert on identifying new exciting business models.

In today’s episode, we thus talk about: 

• some of the hottest product ideas to start now
• three ways to spot successful business ideas
• and why side hustles are a great way to get started as an entrepreneur

Alexander Mrozek: linkedin.com/in/dr-ajm

Digitale Optimisten Webseite: https://www.digitaleoptimisten.de/

Digitale Optimisten Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FXCSCa3gecpbZi4Ud9bc7?si=2d7715c6d6644834

👋 Get in touch with Kilian here: linkedin.com/in/kiliankarrasch

Do you have an innovative idea you would like to validate through market research or rapid prototyping or a validated concept you would like to bring to life (e.g. in form of an MVP)? Then book a free consultation here: http://bit.ly/3Xr0BvG 🚀

Timeline:

0:00 - Introduction

0:56 - Who is Alexander Mrozek

1:28 - What topics did we discuss in the episode

1:49 - Alexander’s background and how he got into interviewing some of the most successful founders and investors

3:45 - The goal of his podcast “Digitale Optimisten”

6:42 - Why sharing your business ideas is beneficial

10:00 - What are the hottest business ideas people have shared with Alex

11:37 - What is the underlying trend behind the app BeReal 

15:27 - How Alex identifies successful business ideas

16:09 - The massive potential in e-mail newsletters

19:36 - Copying what works in other markets

20:41 - Identifying trends by looking at annual reports by stock-listed companies

23:58 - Starting new businesses as a side hustle 

29:06 - What founders tell Alex they would have done differently 

30:02 - What implications come with raising venture capital

34:13 - Leveraging generative AI instead of hiring in an early stage

35:39 - Three tips Alex would give young founders and corporate intrapreneurs