FightBack Now by Felix Staeritz and Sven Jungmann Summary

Fightback Now outlines strategies for thriving in the digital economy by merging corporate resources with entrepreneurial agility. Staeritz emphasizes building scalable ventures through platforms, collaboration, and innovation to tackle societal challenges like climate change and healthcare. The book draws on his 20+ years of experience founding ventures like FoundersLane, which has generated over €1.5B in value.

Business leaders, corporate innovators, and entrepreneurs seeking actionable frameworks for digital transformation will benefit most. It’s particularly relevant for executives aiming to bridge the gap between traditional business models and disruptive technologies. Staeritz’s insights also appeal to policymakers and investors focused on sustainable, large-scale impact.

Yes—it provides practical tools for leveraging corporate venture building (CVB) to address global challenges. Staeritz combines real-world examples (e.g., partnerships with Vattenfall and Allianz) with scalable frameworks, making it a valuable resource for driving innovation in established organizations. Its focus on urgency and execution sets it apart from theoretical business guides.

CVB is Staeritz’s model for combining corporate resources with startup speed to launch high-impact ventures. It involves co-creating solutions with entrepreneurs, scaling innovations rapidly, and aligning them with broader business goals. FoundersLane’s success in climate and health sectors exemplifies this approach, having built 50+ ventures since 2016.

The book advocates for a dual strategy: leveraging existing corporate infrastructure while fostering entrepreneurial risk-taking. Staeritz stresses the importance of platforms to connect stakeholders and accelerate idea-to-market cycles. He critiques traditional innovation hubs for being too slow and isolated from real-world challenges.

Entrepreneurs are depicted as catalysts for systemic change. Staeritz argues they must collaborate with corporations to scale solutions, citing examples like KochAbo/Marley Spoon’s IPO. The book positions entrepreneurship as a counterforce to bureaucratic inertia, particularly in addressing climate and health crises.

Some may find its focus on large corporations limits applicability for smaller businesses. Staeritz also prioritizes speed over incremental change, which could clash with risk-averse cultures. However, the book addresses these concerns by emphasizing adaptable frameworks and phased implementation.

Its emphasis on AI-driven innovation and sustainability aligns with 2025’s tech landscape. Staeritz’s CVB model offers a blueprint for companies navigating rapid automation and decarbonization mandates, making the book a timely guide for post-pandemic recovery strategies.

1. Collaborative Innovation: Merge corporate stability with startup agility.
2. Platform Ecosystems: Use digital tools to connect ideas, capital, and talent.
3. Impact Scaling: Focus on ventures that address climate, health, and equity.

The book underscores the need for urgency, citing global challenges like resource scarcity.

While Staeritz’s prior books explore entrepreneurship and digital leadership, Fightback Now is more prescriptive, offering step-by-step frameworks for CVB. It builds on concepts from his World Economic Forum insights, emphasizing actionable strategies over theoretical concepts.

Staeritz highlights FoundersLane’s partnerships with Allianz (insurance innovation), Vattenfall (renewable energy), and Riyad Bank (fintech). These cases demonstrate how CVB can drive €100M+ ventures within 12–24 months, validating the book’s methodologies.

The phrase “fightback” reflects Staeritz’s call to action against complacency in the face of digital disruption. It symbolizes reclaiming competitive advantage through innovation, particularly in industries lagging in sustainability and tech adoption.