This interview was originally published in German and has been machine translated.
Hi Nina, hi Larissa, you are currently driving the LAHA project forward. What exactly does your start-up do?
We are developing the world’s first laser-based hearing aid. Instead of a conventional loudspeaker, we use a fine laser fiber that generates sound directly at the eardrum. This results in clearer sound quality and a more comfortable wearing experience.
The project is funded through a three-year EXIST Research Transfer program. This funding provides financial resources for staff, product development, and coaching. At the moment, we are working on prototype development, approaching investors, and preparing the next steps toward market readiness.
How would you describe your vision in one sentence?
Conventional hearing aids quickly reach their limits. We want to provide people with hearing loss with a hearing aid they can truly be satisfied with in the long term.
What was the trigger or problem that inspired you to pursue the path of founding a company?
Our research is based on a rather accidental discovery: during laser experiments on animals, it was observed that they reacted to light impulses. They could actually hear the laser, not just see it. This insight became the starting point for our idea to use laser impulses in the context of hearing aids.
The step toward founding a company came when we sought start-up advice at Saarland University via Triathlon. That was the starting point for our EXIST application and the moment when research suddenly turned into a start-up.
What does your team look like today, and how do you complement each other in daily work?
We have grown significantly and now consist of eight team members plus two student assistants. We are an interdisciplinary team with expertise in medical technology, industrial engineering, biophysics, medicine, and electrical engineering. We cover all aspects from research and business to technical implementation. Everyone has their own core expertise while also thinking beyond their own discipline. This mix is what makes us strong.
How do you experience everyday start-up life between product development, finances, and customer acquisition?
Larissa: I helped shape our EXIST application, took parental leave for a while, and then returned. The team supported me tremendously. Balancing family and entrepreneurship really works for us. The start-up world has broadened my horizons enormously – after years in research, it opens up completely new perspectives.
Nina: I find it exciting that we combine so many different fields. I come from research, can contribute my expertise, and at the same time constantly learn new things. I repeatedly face situations I’ve never encountered before. That builds confidence and is a lot of fun.
What did your personal paths into entrepreneurship look like?
Nina: I came across the project through a job posting in a biophysics group. I was immediately fascinated by the combination of medical technology and interdisciplinary research. Originally, I wanted to stay in research, but over time, entrepreneurship became increasingly appealing.
Larissa: I come from academia, completed my PhD, and contributed to funding applications. At some point, I thought: I could actually do this for my own project. The EXIST Research Transfer showed me how exciting the start-up world is and that I feel very comfortable in it.
Were there any key moments that shaped you?
A decisive moment was receiving approval for the EXIST Research Transfer. Until then, it was more of a “let’s just try this” approach. With the funding came the certainty that the project has substance and that others believe in it as well. That validation was a turning point for us.
Winning the Saarland Pitch was another highlight. For the first time, we were able to present our idea to a broad audience and experience live how well it was received.
On the technical side, our “first-in-human” study and the moment when people could actually hear the laser were truly defining. It gave all of us goosebumps.
Which personal qualities or mindsets help you most in everyday start-up life?
Curiosity and a willingness to constantly learn are especially important. We regularly leave our comfort zone and try things we’ve never done before. Added to that are perseverance, self-reflection, a high level of trust within the team, and the ability to work independently. And very importantly: a large dose of optimism and goodwill – that carries us through demanding phases.
What has been your biggest challenge so far, and how did you deal with it?
Over the course of the project, we experienced several changes in the team. That was difficult at first, but it made us stronger in the long run. We learned to respond flexibly to change, adjust priorities, and bring new skills into the team.
What has been the craziest moment in your start-up story so far?
Two team members were pregnant at the same time – that was pretty crazy. In retrospect, however, it turned out to be a big win. We saw that being family-friendly in a start-up is not only possible, but actually brings the team closer together.
What advice would you give to someone who is currently considering starting a business?
Nina: Don’t stay in your quiet corner for too long. Get out there, show your idea, and ask for feedback. That’s the only way to really know where you stand.
Larissa: Think in small steps. Big goals can feel overwhelming, but when you break them down, they become manageable.
How do you look back today on the step into self-employment, and what would have helped you at the beginning?
Larissa: It was exactly the right step to move beyond pure research. At the beginning, I would have liked someone to simply say: you can do this! A role model showing that successful founders are just normal people.
Nina: For me, the EXIST Research Transfer was the ideal entry point – the perfect transition from research to entrepreneurship.
What motivates you on days when nothing seems to work?
Nina: Clearly the team. When things aren’t going well, we take a break, talk, laugh, and then start again.
Larissa: The experience that difficult phases pass. Over time, you become more relaxed and learn to trust that things will get better again.
Thank you for your time!
