"It’s underestimated how much of a difference aggression and ambition makes. I think 95% of a company's success is that.” Torsten Reil on not letting anything stop you: “Everything else is excuses.” “Regulation doesn't matter. Yeah sure it takes longer to start a company in Germany. Yes you have... to go to a notary. Who cares?” “It's not a problem.” “The regulations that we are subject to as a defense company with regards to the certification qualification of our systems, export law, and a whole bunch of other things… dealing with confidentiality, classified information, is a hundred times more than what a startup has to deal with in terms of bureaucracy and you can still deal with it.” “It still doesn't slow us down.” “Who gives a shit? Stop making excuses.” “I just don't like when people make excuses.” “You just have to have a few very aggressive companies that point out that everyone else is basically mailing it in, and I think a lot of people are."show more

@torstenreil Okay, but if you made startups accessible to less aggressive ambitious people then you'd produce more stuff. Get both blades of the scissors working.

@torstenreil Then why aren’t there more unicorns in EU? Are all of them making excuses? This is a reductionist take. Why is EU worried about their AI offerings in the future? EU wants more startups (several funding programs) but is blind to see why they don’t start here

@torstenreil Entrepreneurs who justify and encourage regulation are aspiring monopolist aided by State.

@torstenreil He’s not encouraging regulation. He’s saying stop fucking complaining and don’t let anything stop you from achieving your mission. Ever.

@torstenreil You should complain against regulation. Its an unfair advantage for well connected individuals in detriment of free markets, merit and true innovation.

@torstenreil if I take my glasses off y'all could be dopplegangers.

@torstenreil Someone told me Torsten looks like @samhinkie

@torstenreil I understand the point, but also the kind of money you make from a defense contract makes it worth the time.. not always the case when incorporating a company.

@torstenreil Most people aren’t blocked. They’re just good at explaining why they haven’t started.

We are known in our industry as “No Excuses”. Over sixteen years I have performed around 700 phone interviews for salary full benefits leadership tam careers paying upper five figure salaries. The teams hired about 160 from cohorts of five or six through panel interviews. By choice we have retained 35 of the best, all strong, smart women creating their own futures. That is 5% of all phone interviews and 20% of everyone ever hired They oversee a workforce of 600 coworkers. They have put up a 26% CAGR 2010-2025 in an industry with a chronic labor shortage. Bonuses now comprise over 15% in additional compensation. The labor force annually shares $150,000 in bonuses earned by 35% of the coworkers. No Excuses. Ever.

@torstenreil Europe has gone from being a dominant force to regulations overtaking everything. Look at how few EU companies are at the top of tech today vs 50 years ago. Privileged take, being able to pay €30k for a notary to tell you rules. You think regular founders has that opportunity?

@torstenreil great mindset

@torstenreil He's just quintessentially German. That's all. I love him.

Yes we need way fewer regulations including no need to be read long contracts for a day etc for people who are less aggressive and less patient than Torsten so that they too can start companies in Germany. Why should only aggressive go getters who “don’t give a shit” be able to start companies? How do we encourage rather than discourage small business activity which is the lifeblood of any successful society? Or should everyone have to be like Torsten?

@torstenreil He's so right.

@torstenreil Sorry, 100 Prozent Staatsaufträge entwertet sein Argument, denn er erwirtschaftet seine Umsätze nicht am Markt, sondern über Umverteilung von Ressourcen die der Staat mittels Zwangssteuern dem Markt entzieht.