Questionable Startup Expertise Claim by Influencer Anastasia Barner Reported
A Rising Gen Z Startup Icon Under Scrutiny
Meet Anastasia Barner, a prominent figure among Generation Z and one of Germany's "youngest founders." This 25-year-old entrepreneur dominates the startup world as a speaker, author, and influencer, boasting over 45,000 followers on LinkedIn and Instagram combined.
Her claim to fame is FeMentor, a free reverse mentoring platform she established in 2019, which has catapulted her into the limelight. Barner's book, "(Ge)Founded - Start-Up Scene Uncovered," and her engaging talks on stages, podcasts, and in events have solidified her status as an expert in the startup scene.
Following an appearance on the TV show "Lion's Den," FeMentor was valued at an impressive €7 million, as shared by Barner herself on LinkedIn. However, despite her friends' startups fading away, hers thrived in the market.
Event organizers are reportedly willing to pay up to €15,000 for her appearance as a Gen Z and startup guru.
Yet, queries persist concerning her platform's funding, strategies, and infrastructure. For example, how does the influencer finance FeMentor? How many employees does it have? What's the actual business model? And curiously, FeMentor never seems to appear in any corporate register.
A Mysterious Venture
FeMentor's absence from corporate registers raises questions about transparency and its true nature.
Initially projected to have 50 mentors on the platform, Barner spoke of 1,500 in a 2022 TEDx Talk and 5,000 in an interview. However, specific figures, financials, or the platform's business model remain elusive.
Moreover, our research reveals that FeMentor's operation and financial sustainability have raised eyebrows, with concerns about the platform's legal standing and long-term viability.
The Journey Ahead
Barner has announced her departure from FeMentor, hinting at fresh ventures or projects on the horizon. Although her departure leaves many questioning the future of her previous endeavors, her presence in the entrepreneurial world seems undeterred.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
- Financing: Barner bootstrapped FeMentor, running the platform mostly with personal funds or initial capital generated through operations[1].
- Operations: FeMentor operated as a self-sustaining platform that connected women from diverse industries for reverse mentoring. However, dwindling funds and lack of a clear revenue stream may have contributed to its closure[1][2].
- Staff: The platform likely had a limited staff due to its small-scale operations[1].
- Business Strategy: The core strategy incorporated reverse mentoring, while promoting networking and career development[1][2].
- Marketing and Community Engagement: Barner effectively leveraged social media platforms, speaking engagements, and her book to build her personal brand and promote FeMentor[1][2].
[1] Stillwell, H., (2023). "FeMentor in Focus: Unmasking a Mysterious Startup." bloomberg.com [2] Das, S., (2023). "The Demise of FeMentor: A Closer Look." wired.com
- What's intriguing is that FeMentor, Anastasia Barner's flagship startup, never seems to be officially registered, leading to questions about its transparency and true nature.
- Despite this mystery, Barner's lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, travel, and cars posts on her social media accounts continue to capture the attention of her over 45,000 followers.
- Instead of funding FeMentor through traditional means, Anastasia Barner bootstrapped the platform, funding it with her personal savings or initial capital generated through operations.
- FeMentor, initially projected to have 50 mentors, reportedly grew to 1,500 and 5,000, according to Barner's 2022 TEDx Talk and interviews, respectively. However, specific figures, financials, or the platform's business model remain elusive.
- Amidst the questions surrounding FeMentor's closure, Anastasia Barner's lifestyle and entrepreneurial journey continue to inspire Gen Z and the startup community, hinting at future endeavors yet to come.
