Project

Michéle Tille of CYNiO

As CEO and co-founder of the chemical startup CYNiO, Michéle Tille combines entrepreneurship with technological innovation. Together with Marlene Baumhardt and Sophie Riedel, she has built a company in Bitterfeld-Wolfen based on patented technology for the production of specialized isocyanates. In this interview, she shares how she found her path to entrepreneurship, why diverse perspectives within a team of female founders are crucial, and what advice she’d like to offer other founders.

Michéle, what actually led you to entrepreneurship?

“My turning point came during a semester abroad in Finland: At a startup hub, I had the opportunity to solve real business problems with international teams. That’s when I realized: I don’t just want to talk about ideas—I want to see what happens when you actually build them.”

From research to your own company: When does a technology become a business?

“A technology doesn’t automatically become a business. It takes a scientist who eventually says, ‘Let’s do this.’ […] And then it takes people who can translate the technology into a business case. Chemists and business administrators naturally focus on completely different things. It was precisely this translation that was crucial at CYNiO.”

What advice would you give your younger self today—based on your experience founding several companies?

“There are two things I’d like to share with you: You don’t have to be able to do everything on your own. After all, Renaissance people only exist in The Sims. Build a good network early on and don’t be afraid to use it. And: don’t treat your health like an optional to-do. Exercise, mental breaks, and rest belong on your calendar—and they’re non-negotiable. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Curious about Michèle’s experiences with the day-to-day of starting a business, collaborating with her co-founders, and dealing with uncertainty?

You can read the full interview in the latest FOUND IT! newsletter: HERE