This is a place where highly accomplished individuals show their "how". One aspect the guests have in common - their commitment to lifelong learning, extending well beyond their university years.
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18 recent
June 12, 2026Episode 1837 min
Before You Raise Money: What Every Founder Should Know | OUAS x Entrepreneurs Talk Ep.1
Before you raise money, you should understand what venture capital really means.In this special crossover episode of Once Upon a Student x Entrepreneurs Talk, we explore what every founder should know before entering the fundraising journey: when VC makes sense, when it might not be the right path, what investors actually look for, and how founders can navigate the emotional reality behind raising capital.Together with Magdalena Möslinger-Gehmayr from PUSH VC, Hannah Wundsam from AustrianStartups, and Michael Hofmannrichter, CEO & Co-Founder of silana, we discuss venture capital from three different angles: the investor perspective, the ecosystem perspective, and the founder perspective.We talk about:• Why venture capital is not the right path for every startup• What early-stage investors look for in founders• Why the founding team often matters more than the idea• How fundraising momentum can change everything• What students and first-time founders often misunderstand about raising money• Why execution, timing, and obsession matter more than having the “perfect” ideaThis episode is for students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and early-stage founders who want to better understand the reality behind venture capital before they start raising money.
May 15, 2026Episode 171 hr 13 min
Learning Expert Warns: Stop Studying Hard Before It's Too Late | Lennard Klein OUAS ep.17
Every student wants better grades. Almost none of them are taught how to actually get them.Lennard Klein went from struggling student to perfect GPA using a system built entirely on neuroscience and peer-reviewed research. Not motivation, not grinding, not luck. In this episode of Once Upon a Student, he shares the exact framework he now teaches to students across Europe through his company Brain Boost.What you'll learn in this episode:· How to study for exams without burning out· Why passive studying (re-reading, highlighting, summaries) has zero scientific backing· The ideal study session length for maximum concentration and retention· How to go from bad grades to top of your class· Lennard's student did it in one semester· The mindset shift that separates students who improve from those who stay stuckThis episode is for students who are tired of working hard with nothing to show for it, parents looking for proven learning strategies for their kids, and anyone who wants to understand how the brain actually processes and retains information.The science exists. It's been there for 200 years. Now you know where to find it.🎙️ Once Upon a Student | Guest: Lennard Klein, Founder of Brain Boost
April 10, 2026Episode 161 hr 2 min
Why Equal Opportunity Is a Lie (And It Starts Before School) | Rosa Bergmann OUAS ep.16
In this episode of Once Upon a Student, we sit down with Rosa Bergmann — social entrepreneur, former teacher, founder of Hobby Lobby, Teach For Austria alumna, and nominee for Austrian of the Year.Rosa has seen inequality where most people stop looking. Not just inside classrooms, but long before and long after them. She argues that the biggest educational gaps are often inherited, shaped by family background, language, money, attention, environment, and everything that happens once the school bell rings.What started as frustration in a Viennese middle school turned into a mission. After meeting children who dreaded weekends and holidays because school was the only stable place in their lives, Rosa realized how much opportunity depends on what families can afford outside the classroom.That insight became the foundation for Hobby Lobby — an organization that now reaches thousands of children and gives them access to experiences, creativity, mentorship, and support they otherwise might never get.But this conversation also breaks another illusion: that NGOs are somehow less serious than “real businesses.” Rosa explains why social impact cannot be built on good intentions alone. If you want to change lives at scale, you need to build with the same discipline, structure, and professionalism as any high-performing company.Today, she leads a growing organization with a multi-million-euro budget, a large team, and a model designed for long-term impact.This conversation goes far beyond education policy. We talk about inherited inequality, the hidden power of after-school life, the impossible pressure placed on teachers, why schools still look like they belong in 1950, what it means to build a serious impact organization, and why the world’s biggest problems are too often treated like side projects.If you are a student, founder, future leader, or someone who wants to build something that truly matters, this episode will challenge the way you think about fairness, responsibility, and what real impact actually requires.Timestamps00:00 Preview01:52 Introduction02:26 Where inequality really begins05:17 Why school alone cannot fix it09:41 Privilege, family, and the hidden head start15:36 The moment that changed everything21:28 What inequality does to a child’s self-worth27:31 How Hobby Lobby was built35:53 From social project to scalable organization38:26 Pressure, therapy, and leadership42:11 Why NGOs should be treated like real companies45:53 What building this organization actually cost53:16 What society keeps getting wrong58:27 Rapid Fire59:36 Rosa turns the question around01:02:19 Closing
March 13, 2026Episode 1557 min
You’re Ignoring the Opportunities: How Cornelia Daniel Built Austria’s PV Future | OUAS ep.15
What if the biggest opportunities are already right in front of you?In this episode of Once Upon a Student, we sit down with Cornelia Daniel, founder of Dachgold and one of Austria’s leading voices in renewable energy.While many of her classmates were preparing for traditional careers in consulting and banking, Cornelia followed a different path. What started as curiosity during her master’s thesis turned into a mission: bringing photovoltaic systems to rooftops across Austria.But building a company in an industry that barely existed wasn’t easy. When Cornelia started, the solar market in Austria was still developing, regulations were uncertain, and most companies didn’t yet see the opportunity.Today, she has helped equip hundreds of rooftops with solar energy, shaped the renewable energy conversation in Austria, and was named Austrian of the Year.This conversation goes far beyond solar energy. We talk about curiosity, entrepreneurship, perseverance, and why some of the best opportunities appear long before the world is ready for them.If you’re a student, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone trying to figure out your path, this episode will challenge the way you think about opportunity, timing, and following your curiosity.00:00 – Intro "You will never again have so much time"01:11 – From Safe Career Plans to an Entrepreneurial Path04:36 – The Moment She Discovered Her Big Opportunity07:38 – The Decision to Start a Company12:25 – Why Founders Often Ignore Simple Ideas19:03 – Thinking Big: A Mission Beyond Just a Company26:07 – The Emotional Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship31:09 – Navigating Uncertainty, Politics & Market Changes44:51 – How AI Is Changing Entrepreneurship49:45 – Austrian of the Year & Advice for Future Founders
February 13, 2026Episode 1456 min
Why Studying Is Not Safe (And No One Cares Until You Win) | Daniel Keinrath OUAS ep.14
What does it really take to build a high-growth AI startup in Europe?In this episode of Once Upon a Student, we sit down with Daniel Keinrath, founder of Fonio, a fast-growing AI phone assistant startup generating over €300,000 in monthly revenue and growing 30% month over month.At 18, Daniel was organizing nightclub events and got screwed over by the Mafia on his first major event. Years later, he sold his first company and went on to build one of Europe’s most ambitious voice AI startups.This conversation goes far beyond business tactics. We talk about why studying can feel safe but often keeps you small, how to sell a product before you build it, why most founders focus on the wrong things, and what it actually means to take ownership.If you are a student, aspiring entrepreneur, or young founder trying to figure out your path, this episode will challenge the way you think about safety, comfort, and ambition.🎙 Topics we cover:• Building an AI startup in Europe• Selling before building• Bootstrapping vs. raising investors• Startup culture and hiring for ownership• Why “no one cares unless you deliver value”• The biggest lie students tell themselves• Why comfort kills growth
December 11, 2025Episode 1355 min
Nothing to Lose: How Victor Vécsei Built the #1 TikTok Agency in DACH | Ep. 13
Want to grow on TikTok, get more views and maybe even land brand deals or clients? Then you should probably listen to the person who built a 40+ person TikTok agency out of “having nothing to lose.”In this episode of Once Upon a Student, I sit down with Victor Vécsei, founder & CEO of marswalk – one of the leading TikTok / Gen Z agencies in the DACH region. Victor started as a student creator making horror clips on TikTok while everyone around him was laughing at the platform. Today, his agency works across six markets and helps brands like Coca-Cola, Givenchy, Drei & Co. win on TikTok and beyond.We talk about:Hunger & origin – where Victor’s drive really comes from, long before the agency existedGoing all in – why having “no other options” pushed him to commit to marswalk after universityBridging generations – standing between Boomers and Zoomers and translating one world to the otherLeadership & pressure – what he’s learned about trust, risk and making decisions for a whole teamWork–life balance in your 20s – his very honest (and slightly controversial) take on ambition vs. comfortIf you’re searching for:“how to grow on TikTok”,“TikTok tips for beginners”,“TikTok marketing strategy” or“how to get clients with TikTok” – this episode will give you both the mindset and the practical examples you’re looking for.
November 6, 2025Episode 1255 min
Culture Eats Strategy: How Busuu Scaled Globally | Bernhard Niesner
"If I ever get to roll the dice again, I’ll do it differently"Busuu co-founder Bernhard Niesner made that vow after a "mass walkout" left him with just 10 employees. Having already survived launching in the 2008 financial crisis, this was the moment that changed everything. In this conversation, we trace the 15-year arc from near-bankruptcy to a €385M exit , exploring the "TEACH" Values (Trust, Effectiveness, Ambition, Curiosity, Happiness) that scaled the company—a journey that shows just "how the line between success and failure... is so thin"Why this matters- How a simple student idea turned into a global success story- The near-collapse that almost ended it all — and what saved it- Why culture beats strategy every single time- The mindset behind resilience, leadership, and letting go after successSubscribe for more inspiring conversations!00:00 – Intro02:00 – From student idea to Busuu’s first users07:00 – Early mistakes and the pain of rebuilding13:00 – Surviving crisis and running out of cash21:00 – Losing 80% of the team — and the turning point25:00 – How culture became the core of Busuu34:00 – The €385M exit and what came next40:00 – The truth about work-life balance47:00 – Austrian entrepreneurship & taking risks50:00 – The three Ps: Passion, Positivity, Perseverance54:00 – How Bernhard wants to be remembered
October 9, 2025Episode 1148 min
The Next Industrial Revolution: A Playbook for Winning the AI Decade | Dr. Isabell Claus
This is the playbook for winning the AI decade. We're in the next Industrial Revolution, and the old rules for success no longer apply. This conversation is a practical and emotional guide to the new strategies that actually work.Your guide is Dr. Isabell Claus. After co-founding and successfully exiting one of Europe's fastest-growing cybersecurity companies, she started again from zero. She shares the actionable strategies she's using right now to build her new AI venture, Thinkers.AI, and compete on a global scale with a small, brilliant team.Inside the Playbook, You Will Discover:🚀 The 'Tiny Team' Thesis: How small, talented teams can now outperform giant corporations by building great products that scale with little capital.📈 From Data to Decisions: A look inside how Thinkers.AI uses public information and AI to create prediction tools for businesses in a dynamic world.🇪🇺 Europe's AI Opportunity: Dr. Claus's urgent call for a new mentality in European leadership and education to compete in the AI decade.🔥 Resilient Leadership: Why turning negative feedback into your greatest strength is a key secret to success.💼 Your Career in the AI Era: Why learning to "co-work with AI" is now essential for everyone, not just coders.GUEST: Dr. Isabell ClausLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-isabell-claus-5540a331/Company: https://thinkers.ai/CONNECT WITH USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/once.uponastudent/Podcast Website: https://www.wu.ac.at/en/starting-up/tools-resources/podcast-once-upon-a-student-the-raw-stories-behind-successHost (Maciej Pajak): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maciej-ryszard-pajak/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0at30mSSN8h6HyFMOpYshi?si=b4d3ec225d8749bb🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Once Upon a Student for more raw conversations with the leaders and innovators shaping our future.🎥 Video & IT by WUtvChapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:02:01 - Who is Dr. Isabell Claus?00:04:06 - The Hard Work Behind the Awards00:07:17 - An Entrepreneur from Childhood00:09:28 - The Detour into Academia00:11:27 - The Ignition for Starting Her First Company00:15:07 - How AI is Changing Entrepreneurship00:17:56 - Building & Exiting Radar Cybersecurity00:20:19 - Why Start All Over Again?00:22:17 - The Problem Thinkers.AI is Solving00:24:11 - Competing in the Global AI Race00:28:19 - How AI Will Change the Job Market00:33:37 - Why Europe is Lagging Behind in AI00:37:43 - The Best & Worst Case Scenarios for AI00:39:21 - The Most Important Skill for Success00:42:30 - Advice to Her Younger Self00:44:08 - The Legacy She Wants to Leave00:44:54 - A Call to Action for European Leadership00:48:04 - OutroCreditsGuest: Dr. Isabell Claus (Thinkers AI) • Host: Maciej Pajak (Once Upon a Student). Full transcript highlights in description are adapted from our interview.
September 4, 2025Episode 101 hr 18 min
Athlete, Star, Then Entrepreneur — The Art of Starting Over (Vesela Dimova)
“Discipline outlasts talent. Reinvention isn’t weakness—it’s courage.”Vesela Dimova began dancing at six. By her teens she was a national champion; later, a TV star on Dancing Stars in Vietnam. Then the lights dimmed—and a new chapter began in a small dorm room at WU Vienna. No headlines. No stage. Just the quiet work of starting over.In our 10th episode of Once Upon a Student, we trace the arc from spotlight to student to entrepreneur, and why Vesela now builds on a simple operating system: mind • body • spirit. If you’re a student, athlete, or founder standing at the edge of a new beginning, this conversation is for you.Why this matters• How a national title didn’t prevent an identity crash—and what rebuilt her confidence at WU• Why discipline > talent (and how to train it when no one’s watching)• Turning injuries, doubt, and comparison into a strategy you can live with• Slowing down to go faster: gratitude, alignment, and better decisions for founders & studentsChapters00:00:00 Official intro & premise00:02:20 Competitions, Discipline & early responsibility00:14:02 Leap abroad at 18 (Vietnam)00:24:06 Intuition, gratitude & Austria00:39:27 Communication through dance (reading energy)00:44:02 Injury → corporate detour (bank)00:47:03 Career pivot: Dancing Stars & new direction00:50:59 Principles & resilience (mind–body–spirit)01:03:31 Responsibility, education & entrepreneurship01:10:03 Legacy
August 8, 2025Episode 91 hr 0 min
He is Fixing Europe's Energy Problem (You’ll Never Guess Where It Starts) | Elias Aruna Ep. 8
Betting on yourself means stepping into uncertainty and building something anyway.In Episode 9 of Once Upon a Student, we sit down with Elias Aruna, WU-Alumnus and Co-Founder of Scale Energy, a bold startup that’s tackling one of Europe’s most urgent and overlooked challenges: our outdated, overloaded energy grid.From his early days as a student full of questions, to launching one of Europe’s most promising climate tech companies, Elias shares the truth behind entrepreneurship: the fear, the learning curve, and the purpose that makes it all worth it.You’ll hear the real story. Not just of batteries and infrastructure, but of someone who turned conviction into commitment, and built something that just might shape the future of Europe’s energy.----💡 Key Takeaways:- What most people misunderstand about Europe’s energy crisis- How Scale Energy is rethinking grid flexibility with no upfront cost- The emotional reality of going “all in” on your idea- Why clarity of purpose matters more than a perfect plan---00:00 - Intro: The Moment There Was No Turning Back 01:57 - Who is Elias Aruna? From WU Student to Energy Entrepreneur 05:20 - Farm Inspiration & First Steps 09:57 - Importance of decentralized Energy16:05 - SCALE ENERGY25:00 - The Start of the Journey & Business Case Challenge 29:50 - Committing Fully: The Day the Startup Became Real33:00 - Move to Berlin36:30 - What Austria has to learn from Germany41:15 - Elias Major Advice on Priorities48:37 - Pivoting, Learning, and Trusting the Process 50:37 - Final Reflections & Advice for Young Entrepreneurs---🎧 Tune in to Episode 9 of Once Upon a Student for a powerful conversation about vision, resilience, and building real-world impact from the ground up.---Elias Aruna🔗 LinkedIn: https: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elias-aruna/🌐 Scale Energy: https://www.scale-energy.comFollow Us:Once upon a Student: https://www.instagram.com/once.uponastudent/ WU Entrepreneurship Center: https://www.wu.ac.at/gruendenMaciej Pajak (Host): https://www.instagram.com/paccmac/🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify: 📺 Watch more on YouTube: Subscribe for more inspiring conversations!🎥 Video & IT by WUtv
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