
"FightBack NOW" is your crisis survival blueprint, published during COVID-19's peak to help businesses leverage existing assets amid uncertainty. Written by FoundersLane CEO Felix Staeritz, it's become essential reading for leaders asking: How can we not just survive global disruption, but actually thrive through it?
Felix Staeritz and Sven Jungmann, authors of FightBack Now: Leveraging Your Assets to Shape the New Normal, are recognized authorities in corporate innovation and crisis management.
Staeritz is a bestselling author and digital transformation leader. He co-founded FoundersLane—Europe’s largest corporate venture builder focused on climate and health solutions. His 20+ years of entrepreneurial experience include guiding companies to IPO and advising the World Economic Forum’s Digital Leaders community.
Jungmann, a physician-turned-serial entrepreneur, combines medical insights with startup expertise gained from founding multiple ventures and studying healthcare innovation at Cambridge.
Their book blends strategic frameworks with real-world examples of leveraging platforms and ventures during disruptions like COVID-19, reflecting their shared mission to drive scalable solutions for global challenges. Staeritz’s earlier works include contributions to the FightBack movement empowering European corporations, while Jungmann explores digital economy strategies in his German-language title Das Entscheidende Jahrzent.
FightBack Now has gained traction among executives for its actionable approach to combining existing assets with emerging technologies and has expanded its reach through editions tailored for international business audiences, originally published in German.
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.
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.
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Capturez les idées clés en un éclair pour un apprentissage rapide
Reactive strategies are no longer enough.
Embracing diversity isn't just about fairness - it's a strategic imperative.
The world needs bold, innovative leaders.
The old ways of operating are no longer sufficient.
Décomposez les idées clés de FightBack en points faciles à comprendre pour découvrir comment les équipes innovantes créent, collaborent et grandissent.
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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

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The pace of change in our world today is unprecedented. As authors, we've observed how technological advancements like automation, high-speed internet, and cloud computing have transformed entire industries, allowing humans to be healthier and more productive. However, these rapid changes also bring significant challenges that span across borders and industries. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly illustrated how deeply interconnected our global systems are. When the virus spread worldwide, we saw stock markets plummet and economies face years of disruption. This crisis made it clear that the biggest challenges we face today - from pandemics to climate change - require collaborative, interconnected thinking to solve. As business leaders and innovators, we must recognize that the old ways of operating are no longer sufficient. We need new approaches that can keep pace with the rate of change and address complex, multifaceted problems. This is why we wrote this book - to provide a roadmap for individuals and organizations to not just survive, but thrive in this age of disruption.
One of the key strategies we propose is to look at your existing assets with fresh eyes. Too often, companies get stuck in rigid thinking about how their resources can be used. But some of the most innovative solutions come from creatively combining or repurposing what you already have. Take the example of Airbnb. The founders didn't create a new product - they simply looked at existing homes and apartments in a new way, seeing the potential for a global network of short-term rentals. By leveraging technology to connect homeowners with travelers, they disrupted the entire hospitality industry. We encourage readers to conduct regular "asset audits" within their organizations. What technologies, data, expertise, or partnerships do you have that could be valuable in new contexts? How might you combine different assets in innovative ways? This mindset of creative recombination is crucial for staying adaptable in rapidly changing environments.
In today's interconnected world, breakthrough innovations rarely happen in isolation. The most impactful solutions often emerge when different sectors, industries, and expertise areas come together. We call this "collaborative innovation," and it's a cornerstone of the FightBack Now approach. Consider the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines. This unprecedented scientific achievement was only possible through intense collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, governments, and regulatory bodies. By sharing data, pooling resources, and working towards a common goal, they accomplished in months what normally takes years. We challenge readers to look beyond their immediate industry or sector. What unconventional partnerships could lead to game-changing innovations? How can you foster a culture of open collaboration, both within and outside your organization? The companies that thrive in the coming decades will be those that master the art of collaborative innovation.
In a world of constant change, reactive strategies are no longer enough. Leaders must develop the ability to anticipate future trends and proactively shape their environment. This requires a combination of data-driven analysis and creative foresight. We introduce the concept of "future-back thinking" - starting with a vision of where you want to be in 5, 10, or 20 years, then working backwards to determine the steps needed to get there. This approach helps organizations move beyond short-term firefighting and invest in long-term, transformative initiatives. For example, we highlight how some forward-thinking cities are already preparing for a future with autonomous vehicles. They're redesigning infrastructure, updating regulations, and exploring new economic models - all based on anticipated changes that haven't fully arrived yet. By taking this proactive stance, they're positioning themselves to thrive in the transportation landscape of tomorrow. We encourage readers to regularly engage in scenario planning exercises. Imagine different possible futures and strategize how your organization could adapt or even help shape those futures. This kind of strategic foresight is invaluable in navigating uncertainty and seizing emerging opportunities.
In our research and consulting work, we've observed that the most resilient organizations are those that embrace diversity in all its forms. This goes beyond just demographic diversity (though that's crucial) to include diversity of thought, experience, and approach. Diverse teams are better equipped to handle complex challenges because they bring a wider range of perspectives and problem-solving strategies. They're also more likely to spot potential risks and opportunities that a more homogeneous group might miss. We share the story of a global manufacturing company that credits its survival during the pandemic to the diversity of its supply chain. By having suppliers in multiple countries and regions, they were able to adapt quickly when some areas faced lockdowns or disruptions. This principle of diversification for resilience can be applied across many aspects of business strategy. We challenge readers to honestly assess the diversity within their organizations and networks. Are you hearing from a wide enough range of voices? Are there blind spots in your collective experience or expertise? Embracing diversity isn't just about fairness - it's a strategic imperative for thriving in an unpredictable world.
Throughout this book, we've shared strategies and examples for navigating disruption and driving positive change. But ultimately, the most important factor is mindset. The leaders and organizations that will shape the future are those who approach challenges with curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to take bold action. We call this the "FightBack Now" mindset. It's about refusing to be a passive victim of change, and instead actively working to create the future you want to see. This mindset is characterized by: 1. Embracing uncertainty as an opportunity for innovation 2. Constantly questioning assumptions and seeking new perspectives 3. Focusing on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains 4. Seeing collaboration as a strength, not a weakness 5. Having the courage to take calculated risks and learn from failures We conclude with a call to action for all readers. The challenges we face as a global society are immense, but so are the opportunities for positive transformation. By adopting the strategies and mindset outlined in this book, you can position yourself and your organization to not just survive disruption, but to actively shape a better future. The time to fight back is now. The world needs bold, innovative leaders who are ready to tackle our biggest challenges head-on. We hope this book has given you the tools and inspiration to join that fight. Together, we can create a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous world for all.