Founder Burnout: Why Is It Happening More Often? – Martin Schilling, MD Techstars Berlin

About this episode

Starting a company is stressful – anyone who has ever built a startup knows this. But why do burnouts among founders seem to be becoming increasingly common? Martin Schilling, Managing Director of Techstars Berlin, knows the startup scene up close and has gained both professional and personal experience with mental health issues.

Why are founders particularly prone to burnout?

Startup founders face a unique kind of pressure that goes far beyond normal work stress. They bear responsibility not only for their own company, but often also for their investors' money and their employees' livelihoods. This burden of responsibility, combined with the uncertainty of startup life, creates a perfect breeding ground for mental strain.

There's also societal pressure: founders are often portrayed as tireless superheroes who burn for their company 24/7. This glorification of "hustle culture" makes it difficult to show weakness or ask for help.

Personal experiences with burnout

Both Martin Schilling and the podcast host have had their own experiences with burnout. These personal insights show that even experienced people from the startup world are not immune to mental exhaustion. The realization of having a burnout often comes gradually – many affected people only notice late that they have already gone beyond their limits.

Recognizing warning signs

To prevent burnout, it's crucial to recognize the early warning signs – both in yourself and in co-founders. These include:

• –Chronic fatigue that doesn't improve with sleep
• –Declining motivation and interest in your own project
• –Increased irritability and impatience
• –Concentration difficulties
• –Physical symptoms like headaches or sleep disorders

It's important to develop an awareness for these signals and take them seriously before they lead to complete burnout.

Preventive measures in daily life

Prevention is key. Successful burnout management starts with simple but effective daily routines:

Gaining distance: Taking regular breaks is not optional, but necessary. This can mean consciously putting away your phone or creating fixed "offline times."

Scaling your own stress level: A helpful method is to regularly evaluate your own stress level on a scale of 1-10. This creates awareness of your current state and helps you take countermeasures in time.

Work-life balance: Even though it's often frowned upon in the startup world – clear boundaries between work and personal life are essential for long-term performance.

The role of financing

An often overlooked factor in founder stress is the financial situation. Many founders pay themselves only minimal salaries or work completely without pay to keep the startup alive. This financial uncertainty significantly amplifies mental pressure.

Mental health should already be a topic in financing rounds. Investors can make an important contribution by focusing not only on growth numbers, but also keeping an eye on the founding team's well-being.

What investors can do

Investors have more influence on founders' mental health than many realize. They can:

• –Set realistic expectations instead of demanding impossible growth targets
• –Encourage founders to pay themselves appropriate salaries
• –Speak openly about mental health and offer support
• –Prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term growth

Systemic changes in the startup scene

To solve the burnout problem in the long term, changes are needed at a systemic level. The startup scene must move away from glorifying permanent stress toward a healthier understanding of successful entrepreneurship.

This also includes successful founders speaking openly about their mental challenges and showing that vulnerability is not weakness, but an important part of human entrepreneurship.

Mental health among founders is not a luxury topic, but a business-critical factor. Only those who remain healthy and motivated in the long term can build a successful company. The time is ripe for a cultural shift in the startup world.