‘Innovation starts with a problem, not an idea’
- 2025-07-01
- Miriam Hoffmeyer
- Comment
Mr Gurung, you’ve already founded or co-founded seven start-ups, the first when you were only 17. Three of them are still going concerns. What have you learned along the way?
The early phase of company formation is the most difficult. Many entrepreneurs – especially social entrepreneurs – have great ideas in principle, but don’t know their customers or their customers’ problems sufficiently well, which is an essential prerequisite for the success of start-ups if they really want to solve problems. Another challenge, in my view, is that entrepreneurs are guided by their own convictions and prejudices, and this prevents them from actually doing what their customers want and need. The most important thing that I’ve learned: business models that are successful in the long term always have a clear focus on a niche and are consistently geared towards the needs of customers.
Have you also experienced failures?
I co-founded PlanetLocal in 2015, a platform via which small, independent producers of handicrafts in the Himalayas can market their products directly to end consumers worldwide. We got bogged down by including all possible producers and assuming that these producers would adapt to the platform’s technology. It turned out that many didn’t want or were unable to do this. PlanetLocal still exists, but only on a small scale for B2B initiatives. The design and social initiative IKIGAAI that I founded in 2019 works much better because we have a clear focus and maintain personal contact with the producers in the Himalayan regions around Nepal, Northern Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. IKIGAAI is growing steadily and our next aim is to open a flagship store in Copenhagen.
The brand name is derived from a Japanese philosophical concept. What do you think it means?
The Japanese word ‘’ means something like the reason why you get up in the morning. At the core of this philosophy is the right balance between the things that give you pleasure, that you’re good at, that you’re paid for – and that are needed in the world. Our society teaches us to acquire special skills so we can have a well-paid job. I went through these phases and worked as an employee for a number of years after my studies. As time went by, I began to think about how I wanted to structure my life. My ikigai is a process – and I’ve learned to enjoy and appreciate it. But there was something missing. I’m convinced that my generation should contribute to reducing the massive inequality that exists within – and between – societies. I’ve witnessed inequalities in very different spheres and at various levels, in Nepal and in Europe.
You came to Germany to study Biology and Neuroscience at Jacobs University Bremen. How did this time shape you?
That bachelor’s degree programme in Bremen really extended my horizon: I had fellow students who came from over a hundred countries and was able to take a wide variety of courses. After that I completed a master´s degree course in Business Administration and Bioentrepreneurship – a joint programme involving Copenhagen Business School (CBS), the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). I really enjoy transdisciplinary working, because it reveals new perspectives. I also benefit from this in my activities for the company ‘’, which I co-founded. Since 2019, we’ve been advising start-ups in the biotech, medtech and AI sectors that combine science, technology and effectiveness. We assist them with developing their market and establishing a sustainable business model during the exciting initial phase. Our rapidly evolving world needs social enterprises that remain relevant for decades. That’s why I get involved as a lecturer, jury member and mentor in the German and European start-up ecosystem – for example in the Alumniportal Community Challenge, whose topic this year was ‘’.
What contribution can global Germany alumni make to meaningful business models?
Our have a vast range of professional backgrounds. We’ve got many committed people who want to make a difference in their own communities. Bringing them together is a superb opportunity to develop interdisciplinary and novel solutions. Those who’re really passionate about a cause can achieve a lot. We provide the participants with tools and knowledge and support the winners on their first steps in terms of implementation. But we primarily help them to work out whether their ideas are ultimately realistic. The top priority for every start-up after all is to find a repeatable and scalable business model that enables them to be financially viable. Social enterprises must also function like this to survive economically. It’s fascinating to accompany entrepreneurs on their journey and see how they grow with their challenges. That also teaches me a lot about myself.