13th CIFamily Meeting
Exit Wounds & Wisdom – What Failing Taught Me
Not every startup story ends in a unicorn — and there’s a lot to learn from the ones that don’t. Join us for an honest, heart-to-heart community session where we unpack the journeys of the young pre-seed startup New Dawn Silicones and the series A startup inventicsDx. Both have actively decided not to continue for different reasons — but left with something far more valuable than profit: wisdom.
In this candid and insightful conversation, the founders will share how unexpected investors preferences and the right timing for market entrance led to their decision. In addition, they will share first-hand lessons about liquidity planning, cash flow management, and handling the reality of unexpected insolvency — topics we often ignore until it's too late. Finally, giving insights in how the experiences shaped their mindset, resilience, and future approach to continue contributing for a greener future. This is not just a story of failure — it's a reflection on growth, grit, and the power of learning in real time.
Whether you're a founder, dreamer, or curious learner, come connect, ask questions, and walk away with insights you won't find in a business book. Because sometimes, the best lessons come after the exit.
Our Guests
Tina Rose is an experienced business developer, international cooperation expert, and founder of New Dan Silicones (formerly We Are Galaktika). The impact startup has worked on chemically recycling of silicone to feed the resources back into production and thus closing the material loop for silicones. After 4 years of product development, a grated patent, pilot plant planning, countless hours and financial investment in Project New Dawn, it is now time for something new. Tina says, “It was a wild ride, but I have no regrets!” For the past year, Tina has continued to devote herself to the transformation of the chemical industry as Policy Officer Industrial Transformation at NABU e.V., only from a new perspective.
Dr. Robert Niedl is an experienced biotechnologist specialized in biochemistry, bioanalytics and microbiology, and CTO & co-founder of inventicsDx (formerly diamond inventics GmbH). He has used his extensive skills to develop a cloud-based rapid bacterial test platform for water analysis over 7 years. Which started in his doctoral thesis as "laboratory on a handkerchief" ("Taschentuchlabor") and got funded by EXIST Gründerstipendium at Potsdam University, turned into a series A startup with almost 50 employees in Berlin-Adlershof. But then things turned out to be more connected and serious than expected when the political situation in Europe changed abruptly.
About the CIFamily
The community events called “CIFamily” aim to offer the scene of chemistry-specific founders a place for trusting exchange and learning from each other. “Learning from experts and alumni/ae, sharing and discussing your own experiences with other participants and supporting each other” is the common goal of the community. In order to achieve this, each event is dedicated to a topic selected by the founders, on which there are impulses, exchange and networking in a relaxed and open atmosphere.
How to become part of the CIFamily?
If you want to become part of the CIFamily and get invited to these amazing network events, please contact us.
Impressions from previous CIFamily Meetings:
