Raffael Maio is the COO and the co-Founder of NetGuardians. When he founded NetGuardians with his partner Joel Winteregg in 2007, it was a FinTech startup with two people. Today, NetGuardians has become an SME with an international client base, providing innovative fraud and risk assurance solutions. Maio shares his ten survival rules on the way to growth.

1. From startup to growth
Raffael Maio’s 10 survival rules for
startups

2. Transition from a startup to an SME
Keep going

3. 10 survival rules
Get out of the jungle!

4. #1 - Surround yourself
with key people
Be in contact with others
• Partner or board, human aspect is
the priority; especially on the long-
term
• Back up yourself by those who bring
skills you don’t have
• Don’t be afraid of differences in
opinion

5. #2 – Accept differences
Encourage diversity
• A group of clones does not make a
good team
• Not everyone around you lives in
startup mode – accept what they
bring, it keeps you grounded
• Every employee is different

6. #3 – Question yourself
Be challenged by your board,
advisors, or friends
• There is never just one way and
nothing is won in advance
• Be inspired by others and share
experiences – both good and bad

7. #4 -Take care of
finances
Know when to save and when to
spend
• Either way can be equally damaging
• It’s critical to maintain a global view
of your financial situation at all times
• Be LEAN but keep SMART

8. #5 – Avoid the One Man
Show
A participative governance is
stronger
• Make your team part of the decision-
making process
• Transmit the vision and the strategy
regularly to your team
• Share successes and mistakes
• Build the startup identity together
with your team

9. #6 – Analyze the
failures
Learning from failures
• There’s always a lesson to be
learned
• Don’t be afraid of failure
• Accept that sometimes learning hurts

10. #7 – Delegate,
delegate, delegate
One cannot control everything
• Have confidence in your team
• You simply can’t control everything,
especially when you reach >10
employees

11. #8 – Share your
company vision
Internal organization
• Have a clear internal structure
• Keep everyone in the loop and
inspired by the vision – all staff will
be more motivated to evolve with you

12. #9 – Maintain a healthy
work-life-family balance
The secret to continuity
• Know when to go unplugged!

13. #10 – Have fun!
Enjoy yourself
• Every day should be a joy
• Celebrate victories, as well as
disappointments

14. Contact us!
Follow us!
www.netguardians.ch
info@netguardians.ch
LinkedIn.com/company/NetGuardians
Facebook.com/NetGuardians
Twitter.com/NetGuardians
NetGuardians Headquarters
Y-Parc, Rue Galilée 6
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
Switzerland