The interview with Philipp Linster, CEO of the House of Startups

CEO of the House of Startups since 2020, Philipp Linster is a passionate entrepreneur, following in his father's footsteps. He enjoys supporting companies in developing their innovative ideas and is determined to continue growing the startup ecosystem in Luxembourg.

In Philipp Linster's phone

Hello, my name is Philippe Linster and I am the CEO of the House of Startups in Luxembourg.

Tell us about your first phone.

Like many people, I had a Nokia 3310. It was fun back then because we were limited in space to write a text message. I also loved the game Snake, which I even downloaded on my iPhone today.

Are you more team Android or team Apple?

It's a bit mixed. For my phone or iPad, it's more team Apple. However, for work on computers, I really prefer team Android because I've gotten used to it.

What is your favorite app?

I am a big chess enthusiast and I love the chess.com app. I enjoy playing Blitz or Bullet online with people I don't know.

Since 2020, you have been at the House of Startups. Where does your passion for entrepreneurship come from?

My father was an entrepreneur and architect, which exposed me to entrepreneurship from a young age. I have always been involved in business management and have had the chance to support many entrepreneurs in my various jobs. Being at the House of Startups is therefore a logical continuation for me, and I am pleased to support entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.

After almost 5 years, the House has grown significantly. What achievement are you most proud of?

I would say I am proud of the development of the startup ecosystem in general. It has evolved tremendously in recent years, and the House of Startups has played a role, but there are also many other actors involved. Many startups have been created and developed, and we still have a long way to go to help them expand internationally.

Can you tell us about a Luxembourgish startup that impressed you in 2023?

I can name two. The first is Sanki, which started with us with two or three people and now has over 150 employees. Of course, they are no longer incubated with us because they have grown too large. The other is Talkwalker, one of the most well-known Luxembourgish startups and a great success story for our country.

Your mindset is bold for creating. Can you tell us more?

If you don't dare, you don't create. There are two critical elements: the passion to create something and innovation. Creating a new product or service is not always easy, but you can always improve something. Our role is to support and help entrepreneurs connect with the right partners and benefit from the best possible support.

What would be your best advice for young entrepreneurs?

One piece of advice that has helped me a lot in my career is to seek out a mentor. It doesn't necessarily have to be someone from the company, but rather someone with more experience. Being an entrepreneur is not always easy, and having that exchange is essential for every young entrepreneur.

A startup ecosystem that is rapidly developing in Luxembourg. Thank you for inviting me and allowing me to share this.