# Ep. 311 How I Raised It with Stephen Schenk of Stapelstein

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-i-raised-it-the-podcast-where-we-interview-startup-founders-who-raised-capital-62943/ep-311-how-i-raised-it-with-stephen-schenk-of-stapelstein
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-i-raised-it-the-podcast-where-we-interview-startup-founders-who-raised-capital-62943/ep-311-how-i-raised-it-with-stephen-schenk-of-stapelstein.md
Podcast: [How I Raised It - The podcast where we interview startup founders who raised capital.](https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-i-raised-it-the-podcast-where-we-interview-startup-founders-who-raised-capital-62943)
Published: 2025-10-13T17:56:12+00:00
Episode link: https://soundcloud.com/user-2586856/ep-311-how-i-raised-it-with-stephen-schenk-of-stapelstein
Audio file: http://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2189417347-user-2586856-ep-311-how-i-raised-it-with-stephen-schenk-of-stapelstein.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2624

## Resource

Produced by Foundersuite (for startups: www.foundersuite.com) and Fundingstack (for emerging manager VCs: www.fundingstack.com), "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders and investors who have raised capital. This episode is with with Stephan Schenk of Stapelstein, a Berlin-based creator of colorful stacking stones and balance boards for open-ended play that encourages movement, balance, and creativity. Learn more at https://stapelstein.com/ In this episode, we explore how the Company has built a successful business in a high-cost market (Germany) while adhering to high eco standards, why Stephan decided to buyout his early investors and convert the company into a "steward-owned" business (similar to Patagonia) to better align with its mission, how he deals with cheap knockoffs, copycats and clones, the unique ROI attributes of raising capital for a steward-owned business, and more. How I Raised It is produced by Foundersuite, makers of software to raise capital and manage investor relations. Foundersuite's customers have raised over $21 Billion since 2016. If you are a startup, create a free account at www.foundersuite.com. If you are a VC, venture studio or investment banker, check out our new platform, www.fundingstack.com

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