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Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our team – Program Manager Jonas Günther! In his new role, Jonas will manage the Startup Bootcamp program, lead partnerships, and provide coaching to startups.
Learn more about the newest addition to our team below:
Tell us a little about yourself. How did you end up joining the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute in a full-time position?
I’m originally from Germany and moved to New York City in 2016 to pursue a graduate degree in Management of Technology at the Tandon School of Engineering. After graduating in 2018, I was selected to join the Summer Launchpad Accelerator, where I took the leap into entrepreneurship by co-founding We Are The New Farmers. This experience laid a strong foundation for my journey in the startup world, allowing me to learn the ins and outs of building a business from the ground up. After spending over six years growing our venture, I felt ready to take on a new challenge: helping other entrepreneurs and innovators at NYU. Joining the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute felt like a natural next step, where I could bring my hands-on experience to the table and support others in following a similar path.
How do you think your past experience as a Founder in Residence helped prepare you to become Programs Manager?
My role as a Founder in Residence was incredibly formative in learning how to distill complex startup challenges and communicate those lessons in a way that’s accessible and actionable for others. As a founder, I faced a variety of unique hurdles and gained firsthand experience on how to overcome them. By sharing these learnings with the teams I coached, I gained insight into the most effective ways to translate these experiences into valuable guidance for early-stage founders. This skillset is especially relevant to my role as Programs Manager, where clear communication, empathy, and problem-solving are essential to guiding new teams on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Which aspect of your new role are you most excited to tackle?
One of the parts I’m most looking forward to is the chance to work closely with teams during 1:1 coaching sessions. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about diving deep into each team’s unique challenges, helping them brainstorm solutions, and guiding them through the nuances of early-stage development. These sessions offer a chance for real connection and insight, where I can see each team’s progress firsthand and help them navigate critical milestones.
What’s your favorite aspect of acting as a coach and mentor to up-and-coming NYU founders?
I genuinely love being part of a team’s journey to success! Watching entrepreneurs go from having a budding idea to growing a fully-fledged business — complete with hiring, launching products, and making an impact — is something I find truly rewarding. Each milestone feels like a shared accomplishment, and it’s incredibly inspiring to witness their growth and resilience. Mentoring our founders reminds me why I got into entrepreneurship in the first place, and it gives me the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant community of innovators at NYU.
Tell us a bit about the backstory behind coming up with the concept for We Are the New Farmers.
We Are The New Farmers started with a mission to harness the incredible potential of fresh spirulina, a nutrient-packed microalgae, to create a sustainable and nutritious food source. Our team wanted to introduce more people to this powerful superfood and demonstrate how it could be cultivated in a way that’s gentle on the environment. By focusing on spirulina, we aimed to address challenges in the traditional agricultural system, offering an alternative that’s not only healthy for consumers but also beneficial for the planet. Through our journey, we’ve been able to show that innovation in food production can go hand-in-hand with sustainability.
As a founder yourself, what’s one piece of advice you wish you’d received earlier in your entrepreneurial journey?
If I could go back, I’d remind myself that raising venture capital is not the only — or even the best — pathway to success. It’s easy to get caught up in the notion that outside funding is necessary for growth, but sometimes it can shift your focus away from building a resilient, impactful company. Staying dedicated to building a strong business from the ground up is what truly makes a company last. In the end, maintaining a solid foundation is more valuable than chasing investors’ expectations, and I think it’s something that many early-stage founders can benefit from hearing.
What do you like to do during your free time outside of the Institute?
Outside of work, I love spending time in nature and staying active, whether that’s hiking in scenic spots or working out closer to home. Gardening and cooking are two of my favorite pastimes, giving me a chance to explore new flavors and stay connected to the food I eat. Cooking lets me unwind while also bringing a bit of creativity into my routine.
Which well-known entrepreneur would you host as a dinner party guest?
I’ve recently been listening to Trevor Noah’s podcast, and while he’s not a traditional entrepreneur, I’d love the chance to have him over for dinner. His perspective on global issues, humor, and insights into life on this planet would make for a fascinating conversation. Trevor has a unique way of seeing the world, and I think his experiences could inspire a fresh outlook on entrepreneurship, resilience, and leadership — all invaluable qualities in today’s world.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I’ve been fortunate to travel to over 50 countries and have lived on four continents, which has given me a broader perspective on cultures, people, and ways of living. This exposure to diverse environments has greatly shaped my approach to both life and business. Each place has added something unique to my outlook, and I’m always curious to discover new places and experiences.
NYU undergrad and graduate students: Book a startup coaching session with Jonas today!
