This interview was originally published in German and has been machine translated.
Understanding the startup & idea
Hi Jannis and Maurice, you are working on the project “muq.”. What does your startup actually do?
We are developing a new concept for a mobile, sustainable coffee machine with which coffee can be conveniently made on the go, both in everyday life and when travelling. Our approach: It is brewed directly where it is consumed, so the machine is also the cup. This allows us to achieve a high level of efficiency and save energy, which is the main driver of CO2 emissions in such devices. This also creates another major advantage of our solution: the true portability of fresh coffee preparation. For this use case, there has so far been no truly satisfactory solution, which is why we can differentiate ourselves so clearly from other coffee machines. We want to make this type of coffee enjoyment more pleasant and accessible.
Sustainability is not an add-on for us, but the foundation of our product. We use plug-in and screwable parts, which makes maintenance and repair easier. We also use recyclable metals, natural materials such as cork for insulation, and no toxic substances.
Until now, the project has run alongside our studies. Since this year, we have been working full-time on this product as part of the EXIST Start-up Grant and are developing further solutions far beyond coffee enjoyment.
How would you describe your vision?
We want everyone to be able to prepare their own coffee anywhere, as easily as possible and with a clear conscience towards the environment. So far, people’s own coffee machines have almost exclusively been in the kitchen, and mobile solutions come with compromises that make it impractical to make coffee on the go in everyday life or when travelling. This is where our solution comes in. Our vision is also to develop the product in public and to work closely with our target group and our partners in order to create added value that goes beyond the actual product.
What was the trigger or the problem that inspired you to come up with the idea?
The idea came about in a university project in which we were supposed to improve the life cycle assessments of coffee machines. As enthusiastic engineers, we wanted to develop a really good solution. Feedback from friends and family additionally motivated us. We see real potential in our product and an exciting challenge to gain start-up experience.
Many people strive for a secure job, but we wanted to create something of our own and take new paths. At the beginning, the focus was on technical product development. Through other study offers from Triathlon, we then also gained insights into business topics. This allowed us to understand that founding a start-up is not just about the product, but about the interaction of many factors. That encouraged us: founding a start-up is much more diverse than we initially thought, and that is exactly what makes it so exciting.
Team & everyday life
What does your team look like today and how do you complement each other in your tasks?
We are currently three people and combine expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and business administration. This means we are very well positioned for technical development, company building, and marketing. Since there are no fixed structures at the beginning, we discuss and debate a lot, but always constructively, results-oriented, and with a lot of joy in what we do.
How do you experience everyday life in a startup between product development, finances, and customer search?
We try to focus and always take the next important step instead of doing everything at once. We are currently working on developing a product suitable for series production and, together with the social media community, building a potential customer base as well as a network of partner companies. We move from priority to priority in order to combine everything into a solid overall concept.
About the people & motivation
Jannis and Maurice, what does your personal path into founding look like?
We have long been interested in developing our own products and systems, simply because we enjoy understanding things and implementing ideas. That is why we chose to study engineering. A university project became a prototype that has already convinced many people of our idea. The challenge of developing a real product of our own, bringing it to market, and building a company from the ground up is a new challenge through which we can learn and grow a lot.
Were there key moments that shaped you?
The Triathlon Business Idea Competition was the first reality check: That was when we realised that there was substance in our idea. That spurred us on. The subsequent Saarland Accelerator was a key phase with intensive input and a clear message about what really matters when founding a start-up. Added to this are the many small successes: finished prototypes, adjustments based on new findings, and conversations with potential users about their needs and opinions.
Which personal qualities or mindsets help you particularly in everyday startup life today?
Maurice: Optimism, willingness to take risks, and dealing with uncertainty. As part of start-up preparation, you learn a lot about yourself. That is why self-reflection is important in order to be able to grow.
Jannis: Seeing the bigger picture. In addition, an honest risk assessment is crucial: Does the effort match the possible return?
Are there qualities in yourselves that you newly discovered or perceived differently during the founding process?
Especially at the beginning, there is no clear path to the goal. Even the goal itself is not fully defined or constantly changes during the process as you learn new things. To deal with this uncertainty, we constantly exchange ideas, get to know our team members and ourselves better, and constantly discover new qualities. In doing so, we constantly find new solutions, especially when we encounter problems that require our adaptability.
Challenges & learnings
What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you deal with it?
Particularly challenging was, on the one hand, the Saarland Accelerator 2023, where we learned a lot. On the other hand, it was the search for another team member. We stepped out of our comfort zone and made a video and promoted it via social media. In the end, we found a great colleague from near Würzburg.
Is there a mistake that you would not make again when founding a startup?
We presented our idea in a closed university setting. Later, we learned that formally this was a publication that could endanger patentability. So we learned that intellectual property should be considered early on and that one should consciously decide what to publish and when. This is in tension with “getting out there quickly”; both need to be carefully weighed up.
What has been the craziest moment in your startup story so far?
It is incredible what opportunities open up when you go out, open up, and present your idea. In this way, we have already made so many contacts, met so many people, and learned so much.
Tips & classification
What advice would you give to someone who is currently thinking about founding a startup?
Go out, talk to people, and test your assumptions. Do not overthink, just do. Get feedback, let go of perfectionism, and take things step by step instead of planning ten steps ahead.
Final question
What motivates you on days when nothing is really working out?
Jannis: Our product is a product for enthusiasts. The idea of climbing a mountain and using our product there is extremely motivating.
Maurice: I am motivated by having freedom and carrying responsibility. I determine what happens with my future, can implement my ideas, and work with many interesting people on many interesting topics.
Thank you for your time!
More about the project: https://coffeemuq.com/
