Meet the mentor Christoph started his career in a Berlin digital agency in 1996, tried and failed to build his first startup in 1999/2000 and has been working with the digital industry ever since. From 2008 to 2012, he co-founded and hosted Mobile Monday Berlin and has been hosting, mentoring, and speaking at national and international workshops and technology events ever since. In summer 2012, Christoph founded Berlin Startup Academy, Berlin’s independent boutique accelerator, graduating the first batch of six start-ups in March 2013. How do you define yourself? “Tough love” is my motto. Better to tell someone that their idea has no chance of succeeding than let them waste the time and passion they could be spending on something that makes sense. Why do you mentor tech start-ups? While mentoring, it’s the mentor who learns and grows the most. Why did you become part of the Young Innovators Competition? Berlin is Europe’s start-up capital, but we never get to see and work with ideas and founders from places like Cameroon, the Philippines, or Latin America. ITU Young Innovators Programme offers just that – a truly global perspective. Christoph Raethke Mentor InnovationSpace: Young Innovators 45