Could you briefly introduce yourself? What drives you, and what led you to participate in this year’s start-up studio?
Hi, I’m Cindy Peng. I come from a background in product and material design. I was born in Berlin and have Chinese roots. My artistic practice is driven by a deep curiosity to experiment, explore, and express myself creatively. I’ve been developing a project called “Knit it”. It involves a unique geometric material system inspired by Chinese lattice windows. The system allows me to create versatile objects like lamps, room dividers, or wall pieces with varying geometries. I was excited to join this start-up studio because I’m eager to learn how to bring my ideas and projects to life, reach a wider audience, and turn my passion into something tangible.
In our last session, we developed an initial MVP. Have you had the chance to test it, and if so, what are your key takeaways?
For my MVP, I decided to organize a dinner party with friends to showcase the lamp and gather feedback. The lamp is fully assembled and ready for testing.
You studied textile and material design at weissensee school of art and design—what do you do for a living, and how do you integrate your entrepreneurial mindset into your work?
And I’ve also spent time working in product design and art education. Right now, I’m in the process of figuring out my next steps. I’m exploring teaching as a potential career path because it offers stability, while also providing the flexibility to work on my personal creative projects.
What does having an entrepreneurial mindset mean to you? Which competencies do you already see in yourself, and which ones are you working on?
For me, having an entrepreneurial mindset means being able to separate myself from the product or business and making decisions based on what’s best for the business as a whole. Right now, I’m still in the early stages of development and find myself primarily thinking like an artist or designer. My focus has been on the artistic integrity of the project and ensuring that my ideas align with the object itself. That said, I’m aware that in order to move forward, I need to shift toward thinking more strategically about the business side of things.
How has this start-up studio contributed to your journey? Are there specific insights or experiences that have been particularly valuable?
The start-up studio has been incredibly valuable in helping me become more open about sharing my work and connecting with others in the process. It’s given me the confidence to present my ideas and seek feedback, which has been crucial for my development. I’ve also realized how important it is to be part of a supportive community where people motivate and encourage each other to keep going. The collaborative environment has helped me refine my ideas and gain new perspectives, and I’m now much more comfortable with the idea of pushing my project forward.
As an aspiring entrepreneur, what impact do you hope to create in the world? Are there particular industries or societal structures that you believe need change? If so, how would you approach them?
My goal is to create meaningful connections between people through the things I make. I believe that design, especially in the form of everyday objects, has the power to bring people together and create shared experiences. I’m particularly passionate about fostering a sense of community and belonging through my work. Beyond that, I see potential in challenging industries that can benefit from more sustainable, inclusive, and human-centered design. I’d like to approach these areas by creating products or solutions that not only address practical needs but also inspire people to think differently about how they interact with the world around them.
Risk-taking is often a key part of entrepreneurship. How do you personally approach uncertainty, and what role does calculated risk play in your decision-making?
With this project, I approach uncertainty until now in a relaxed way. I don’t place pressure on myself for immediate success, because I’m driven by the desire to create something meaningful. However, as the project evolves, I actively seek out calculated risks. I’m ready to share it with a wider audience, explore new opportunities, and make adjustments based on feedback.
Women* in entrepreneurship face unique challenges and opportunities. How do you perceive the landscape for female founders, and what would you like to see change?
I don’t have extensive personal experience yet as a female entrepreneur, but from what I’ve observed, there are definitely unique challenges and opportunities for women in entrepreneurship. I think there’s still a need for more representation and support for female founders. I believe there’s great potential for women to bring fresh perspectives to the table and create impactful businesses.
If you could invent or pioneer something completely new, what would it be? Is there a problem you’ve always wanted to solve or a product you wish existed?
After asking Chat GPT, it would be an “Adaptive Decision-Making System”.
Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share? Any thoughts, reflections, or messages for fellow participants?
Let´s connect!
