Behind the scenes
As the Founders' Valley team travels through Asia, there's plenty interesting things going on behind the scenes that don't make it into the episodes. Here are some highlights from our shoots, constantly updated.
Talent scouting in Taiwan
After a long day of casting, Founders' Valley director of photography Holger Ernst had found a new intern! Due to legal constraints, we unfortunately had to leave this promising talent behind...
Horse-riding in the Mongolian steppe
Although it was only the 2nd time in his life to ride a horse, Founders' Valley host Fridtjof fared well in the Mongolian steppe. But here's a secret: His horse was lame - that's why he looked like a pro.
Cheek by jowl with the nomads
Founders' Valley reporter Carmen Meyer felt sorry for the eagle, but she was amazed by the tradition of eagle hunting, which is also a major tourist attraction. The eagle hunters told her they release their birds back into the wild after a few years.
The beginning of a beautiful friendship
During our epic road trip through the Mongolian steppe, Founders' Valley host Fridtjof and tour guide Taskhyn had plenty time to bond, both in front of and behind the camera.
The face of Mongolian entrepreneurship
We've met plenty impressive female movers and shakers so far, including Enkhbolor Gantulga, a leader of the Mongolian startup scene. She mentors young startups and connects them to people in her network.
Fridtjof's travel ritual
Fridtjof Detzner is an athletic guy. His passion for spending time outdoors has led him to try kitesurfing, paragliding, speed gliding, skiing and freeskiing, road and mountain biking. But his trademark is doing handstands wherever he goes.
The entrepreneur who never sleeps
The prize of the adventure that is Founders' Valley: long hours. Here, Fridtjof is writing emails and keeping is social channels up to date in our Hong Kong hotel room after a typical 14-hour work day.
Making people walk again
Founder Cheng Hua's exoskeletons are made strictly for medical purposes. His startup Free Bionics helps walking impaired people like Victor Shu, one of Hua's employees. During this test, Shu was able to walk 120 meters thanks to the exoskeleton.
The power of A.I.
In Taiwan, Fridtjof got an idea of what artificial intelligence is capable of. The smart security cameras made by A.I. startup Umbo Computer Vision can allegedly prevent crimes...
Uphill battle
Entrepreneurship can be a long a winding road, as both Founders' Valley host Friedel and Umbo CV founder Shawn Guan can attest to. But they agreed that nothing worthwhile happens without great effort.
Politician and coder
Taiwan's head of digital affairs Audrey Tang is not only Taiwan's youngest government minister, the 36-year-old is also the first transgender member of the Taiwanese government and a self-proclaimed anarchist.