INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

You don’t start out with the right idea

At CBS, students are offered inspiration and practical knowledge to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys. A ranking of European universities reveals that CBS students rank among the top in securing venture capital. Sebastian Herche, the founder of Drivn, is a CBS student who can already call himself an entrepreneur.

By CBS Executive Education

Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash

Sebastian Herche and his friend Nikolaj Mackenzie initially thought they had struck gold with their idea.

Inspired by the US-based Strava app, which tracks running, cycling and other activities, they aimed to create an app measuring people’s CO2 emissions from transportation.

Together with a third friend, they launched Drivn in 2022.

“Our vision was clear from the start – we wanted to encourage greener transportation habits. That vision has not changed, but we have realised that people need either an incentive or regulation to change their behaviour,” says Sebastian Herche.

"Imagine sitting in a small flat with your friends, eating rye bread and trying to launch a business."

Sebastian Herche, student and entrepreneur

A bumpy start

Sebastian is a 4th-semester BSc in Business Administration and Service Management student at CBS. Looking back, Drivn had somewhat of a bumpy start. Developing the app was tricky, and sparking interest was not any easier.

Then a turning point arrived.

Following the introduction of new EU and ESG directives, one of Scandinavia’s largest consultancy companies contacted Drivn. They wanted to use the app to measure employees’ CO2 emissions during work hours.

At the same time, Sebastian began engaging with the Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship (CSE), a CBS centre that supports student entrepreneurs with knowledge and inspiration alongside their studies.

“Imagine sitting in a small flat with your friends, eating rye bread and trying to launch a business. Then you step into CSE with office facilities and a community of like-minded facing the same challenges,” Sebastian says and continues:

“We have access to excellent hands-on workshops. CSE has been pivotal to our development. If you are open to feedback, there is so much to learn.”

Being open to new ideas became essential for Sebastian and Nikolaj, who study at the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU). They shifted their focus from the general public to the business community.

Today, Drivn offers companies an automatic overview of their employees’ transportation-related CO2 emissions. This helps companies comply with regulatory requirements and nudge their employees towards greener habits.

“First, you never start with the perfect idea. You must be prepared to adjust along the way."

Sebastian Herche, student and entrepreneur

Won popular CBS prize

Drivn now has 10-12 major clients and are beginning to take shape, even though it remains a work in progress.

Recently, the startup won the CBS Startup Award, securing DKK 140,000 for its innovative business concept.

“I am really proud of this. I have already learned a great deal about entrepreneurship. First, you never start with the perfect idea. You must be prepared to adjust along the way,” says Sebastian Herche and continues: "Second, you need discipline. A lot of discipline – and perhaps a touch of naivety. The journey is long, and you will face setbacks. Third, your team is everything. Building a team with shared visions but diverse skills can make all the difference.”

CSE nurtures entrepreneurial skills

Entrepreneurs are often described as those who are willing to step outside their comfort zones and explore uncharted territories.

While that is true, at CBS, that is just one part of the equation.

Creativity without knowledge is not very impactful and vice versa. It is the combination of the two that drives innovation and opportunity. Or as Ashlea Wallington, Director for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CSE, says:

“We are a centre for applied entrepreneurship, and our mission is to create an environment that, alongside their studies, helps students become transformative individuals. Here, they can experiment and develop the competences required to build a business.”

Denmark and the EU need skilled entrepreneurs, Ashlea points out. The government's recent entrepreneurship strategy underscores a growing demand for startups to fuel economic growth.

“We cover topics like leadership, sustainability, team dynamics and pitch coaching at CSE. We offer students coaching from professional business developers and access to a network of mentors supporting with legal, marketing and financial challenges,” she explains.

Ashlea Wallington also emphasises the significance of practical resources such as dedicated office spaces, meeting rooms and coffee and access to a professional work environment.

"It is not about getting a fancy car or moving to Dubai. I am driven by the desire to make a difference, and I have always wanted to start my own business."

Sebastian Herche, student and entrepreneur

Drawing on tennis skills

While balancing his studies and Drivn, Sebastian has found time to train for an Ironman competition. He is a former youth elite tennis player and applies the same structured approach to his entrepreneurial journey.

With a current team of seven – mostly fellow students – Sebastian focuses on sales and finance.

“I don’t know if entrepreneurs are different from other people. Maybe we dream a little bigger.

But for me, it is not about getting a fancy car or moving to Dubai. I am driven by the desire to make a difference, and I have always wanted to start my own business. If Drivn becomes successful enough to sell one day, I would happily start something new,” Sebastian concludes.

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You don’t start out with the right idea

"Imagine sitting in a small flat with your friends, eating rye bread and trying to launch a business."

“First, you never start with the perfect idea. You must be prepared to adjust along the way."

"It is not about getting a fancy car or moving to Dubai. I am driven by the desire to make a difference, and I have always wanted to start my own business."

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