Paris, 22 November 2024 – As part of Global Entrepreneur Week, WeWork asked five inspiring founders from its European community to share the lessons they wished they had known at the start of their entrepreneurial journeys. From staying true to their vision and hiring with purpose to embracing uncertainty or driving innovation, these insights offer a compelling look at the realities of entrepreneurship today — introducing hard-won advice and forward-thinking strategies straight from the source.
1. Benjamin Chemla, Co-Founder & CEO of Shares, France
“One key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of focus and staying true to your vision. Early on, I was easily swayed by external opinions and trends. If I had known to trust my instincts and commit fully to my vision from the start, I could have avoided distractions and built products that resonate deeply with people. It’s essential to have clarity about what you want to create and not compromise on that vision.”
Shares is a Paris-based social investment platform that combines trading with a social network, allowing users to connect, learn, and invest collaboratively.
2. Lukas Schaefer, Founder of SoSafe, Germany
“Avoid false compromises when recruiting your team. In early stages, you might not attract many candidates, and during hypergrowth, there’s pressure to fill roles quickly. Neither should lead to lowering your hiring bar. Ensuring a strong fit between role and skill set, as well as between candidate and company culture, is crucial. Making wrong compromises will set you back in a few months, and everyone loses. Be brutally honest about expectations, avoid sugarcoating, and don’t let wishful thinking guide decisions. Over time, this approach builds a dream team that’s both hard to beat and a joy to work with.”
SoSafe is a cybersecurity company specializing in employee awareness and training to prevent digital threats.
3. Andreas Djukic, Co-Founder of Recuto, Spain
When we started, we had a plan—but we quickly realized that execution is everything. It wasn’t about waiting for perfect conditions; it was about making decisions, moving fast & adapting as we went. Some things worked, some didn’t, but the key was to keep pushing forward. Here’s the real lesson: When something works, don’t just stick with it—ask, “How can we make this bigger?” And when it doesn’t, pivot fast. The most important part, though? The team. Being surrounded by like-minded people who believe in the mission is everything. It’s your team that makes all the difference. If I could tell myself one thing at the start, it’d be: execute, adapt & always trust the people around you. You’ll figure it out as you go, just like everyone else here at WeWork.
recuto is an up-and-coming startup that specializes in optimizing the recruiting process through innovative technologies and strategies.
4. Quentin Colmant, Founder & CEO of Qover, Belgium
One key lesson I’ve learned from my entrepreneurial journey is the importance of resilience and adaptability. As a founder, I quickly realized that success rarely follows a straight line. It’s about navigating challenges, pivoting when necessary, and staying focused on the big picture. Building Qover taught me that no matter how innovative your idea, execution depends on the strength of your team and the ability to create a culture of trust and collaboration. If I could go back to the start, I would tell myself to embrace uncertainty, as it is where the best opportunities often lie.
Qover is a leading Belgium insurtech that designs, builds and distributes embedded insurance solutions across Europe for disruptive tech players.
5. Marco Palacino, Founder & CEO of Debord Technologies, Italy
“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about solving today’s problems; it’s about anticipating tomorrow’s possibilities. The most successful innovators share one powerful habit: they constantly ask themselves, ‘What’s next?’ It’s not just a question—it’s a mindset. It’s the courage to embrace uncertainty, the drive to push boundaries, and the vision to see opportunities where others see obstacles. At Debord Technologies, this mindset helps us stay one step ahead in achieving our vision to usher in a new era of digital entertainment with AI Technology and explore new frontiers in the experiential digital entertainment space to become a leader in the Interactive Media & Gaming sector.”.
Debord Technologies is an Interactive Media & Gaming startup whose vision is to usher in a new era of digital entertainment with AI Technology.
About WeWork
WeWork was founded in 2010 with the vision to create environments where people and companies come together and do their best work. Since then, we’ve become a leading global flexible space provider committed to delivering technology-driven turnkey solutions, flexible spaces, and community experiences. For more information about WeWork, please visit us at wework.com.