MEET THE HARDTECH INNOVATION MENTORS - PART 1
STARTUP MENTORING IN FOCUS -
FERNANDO GERMÁN TORALES CHORNE
Meet our startup mentor Fernando Germán Torales Chorne. Learn how Fernando helps our accelerator program participants with his deep understanding, knowledge and insights into hardware development and tech startup founding.
Meet our startup mentor Fernando Germán Torales Chorne. Learn how Fernando helps our accelerator program participants with his deep understanding, knowledge and insights into hardware development and tech startup founding.
We’re excited to announce the upcoming return of the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator for its 4th round. Our team is proud to continue supporting early-stage startups and are eager to see what this next batch will bring. Applications for Batch 4 will open in less than a week. Don’t want to miss the starting signal? You can already register your interest here to be notified as soon as applications open.
As always, we bring in top industry experts to help us with startup mentoring, sharing invaluable knowledge and insights. Our mentors include founders, CEOs, CTOs, and other experienced professionals who understand the challenges our teams face because they’ve been through them themselves.
The role of the mentor goes beyond this, involving a deep commitment to navigating the startup’s daily challenges and overall progress. Each startup accepted into the program is paired with a lead mentor who provides ongoing startup mentoring support, direct feedback, and strategic guidance. Together, they craft a roadmap for the program’s duration, ensuring the team stays on course. Our mentors are committed to supporting the teams over a seven-month period, playing a crucial role in the success of our program.
In the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to the mentors behind Batch 4 and reveal the exciting experiences and expertise they bring.
MEET FERNANDO, CTO OF BEARCOVER
Before becoming the CTO at Bearcover, Fernando Germán Torales Chorne worked on improving production lines at BMW and developing ADAS software at Bosch. However, as he himself admits, none of these experiences compare to the challenge of building and growing a startup.
“Entrepreneurship is about taking ownership of making a change and is one of life’s most amazing journeys. It is often not glamorous or an easy ticket to wealth, but if you are committed and willing to turn your worldview upside down to make a positive impact, I will help you get there. Are you ready for the ride?”
STARTUPS AND THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGES
For Fernando, the most exciting part of startup mentoring is helping people grow and learn while building successful businesses. “I’ve met many brilliant individuals with great ideas and the energy to make a positive impact, but they often struggle to channel it effectively.” Fernando identifies three major challenges for early-stage startups:
- Team Misalignment: It’s crucial to avoid working in different directions simultaneously, as this leads to more time spent arguing than making progress.
- Missing Customer Validation: Asking for feedback can be daunting, especially when a product is just a rough sketch. However, it’s essential to engage with customers and keep them at the center of your product development.
- Overwork and Underasking: Overworking can lead to burnout because people often believe that putting in more hours will solve all their problems. It’s more important to work efficiently and seek advice from mentors and others who have experienced similar challenges. Learning from others' failures is invaluable.
THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF STARTUP MENTORING
As the CTO of Bearcover, Fernando is our expert in technical strategy, product development, robotics, and prototyping. As a mentor, his focus lies on leadership and the technological aspects of building a business.
In Fernando’s view, having a mentor who is also an entrepreneur provides a unique advantage for the startups that will be part of Batch 4. Such mentors offer more than just theoretical knowledge—they have experienced the challenges firsthand. This can save you “months of suffering,” which can be critical for a company’s survival at the early stage.
Creating a personalized roadmap and advancing the startup is a key milestone where the Hardtech Innovation Accelerator’s mentor provides essential support. Fernando typically starts by identifying the customer segment, helping secure a few paid pilots, developing a strong business model, and obtaining funds to sustain the company.
His key advice for the participants of Hardtech Innovation Accelerator? “Don’t just cut corners—skip them entirely! You don’t need as many features, as many people on your team, or as much money as you think. Make your life easier. This journey is already tough enough.”
BALANCING LEADERSHIP & TECHNICAL SKILLS IN BUILDING A BUSINESS
Fernando’s greatest passion and strength lie in helping startups and their teams transition into business roles. His interest extends beyond the business world: in addition to reading sci-fi, he enjoys exploring the darkest secrets of the universe in a Call of Cthulhu game or constructing entire worlds in a casual Microscope session.
“As the CTO of your own startup, you might feel that your deep technical skills are what will save your company. You’re not entirely wrong, as in the early days you must wear many hats. However, if you succeed, you’ll need to grow into a business role, which involves planning and executing tasks such as hiring, firing, developing products, securing financing, and managing stakeholder expectations.”
With these insights, Fernando focuses on two key areas during his startup mentoring sessions:
- Leadership: “Leadership starts with your team.” Relying solely on your individual capabilities will limit your progress. Your greatest asset is your team, including yourself. Effective leadership enhances your results by inspiring, motivating, and helping others grow alongside you. It involves building the team, negotiating issues, and resolving conflicts—even in chaotic situations—without losing composure.
- Technology: This includes validating your technical idea, refining your product development roadmap, and managing conflicting demands while balancing technical debt to keep both customers and investors satisfied.
“WHEN THE PUZZLE STARTS FALLING INTO PLACE”
What Fernando loves most about startup mentoring is that it’s like building a startup without having to invest the time himself. “It’s a magical moment when every piece of the puzzle starts falling into place after hitting your lowest point. Then, you go through it all over again—a true rollercoaster ride.”
Fernando takes the greatest pride in seeing teams present their well-developed business cases, complete with numbers, customers, and successful fundraising, after months of hard work. “It feels like we’ve built a plane and it’s time for the first real flight.”
The hardest part for Fernando in startup mentoring? Watching highly motivated and skilled individuals give up too early and seeing so much untapped potential. “I made many mistakes myself, so I can help you avoid the biggest traps and accelerate your growth to become the executive your company needs. I’ll guide you in building strong team dynamics and help you overcome the fears that hold you back from moving forward.”
OUR HARDTECH INNOVATION PROGRAM
IS SUPPORTED BY
GET READY FOR BATCH 4 & YOUR STARTUP MENTORING WITH FERNANDO
Many startups fail, and only a few succeed – this is a well-known fact. However, at MotionLab.Berlin, we provide a unique startup environment with experts from diverse fields who support each other in navigating challenges. Regardless of the outcome, you will leave the program and your startup mentoring sessions transformed, with a vast network of entrepreneurs from whom you can draw inspiration and with whom you can share your own insights.
Register your interest here to be notified as soon as applications open.
The Hardtech Innovation program is supported by funds from the European Union (European Social Fund) and the State of Berlin.
