Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Muniqo: In Germany, approximately 60,000 premature babies are born each year. These infants are usually transported to a specialized hospital by ambulance and in a transport incubator. Approximately one in three premature babies suffers a cerebral hemorrhage, which can lead to disability or death. One of the causes of cerebral hemorrhage is the shock and vibration that occurs during transport. Current solutions cannot adequately prevent these harmful shocks, which cause cerebral hemorrhages.
This is where we come in: Muniqo Performante. We offer an iInnovative solution for vibration-free storage of transport incubators, which enables the safe transport of premature and critically ill newborns. This significantly reduces the risk of transport injuries such as cerebral hemorrhages. This technology not only potentially saves babies' lives, but can also save up to €200,000 in costs per prevented cerebral hemorrhage, as well as numerous nursing and medical expenses. We also offer the option of continuously monitoring concussions. Furthermore, conclusions can be drawn about the risk of cerebral hemorrhage, and preventative measures can be taken.
Muniqo Performante: Vibration sensor can do more than just transport incubators
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Muniqo: Our product is based on an innovative platform technology that enables optimal damping and suspension. Technically, it covers a wider spectrum than comparable solutions.
Our system also functions as a vibration sensor. High-precision work and processes play a role not only in the transport of incubators, but also in numerous economic sectors. The technology can also be used in battery production or quantum technology applications.
Efforts have been made to find solutions for vibration-free positioning during infant transport. The most important approaches to preventing vibrations currently include reducing driving speed, using cushioning materials such as gel mattresses, wrapping babies tightly, and using rubber shock absorbers. These approaches, and especially rubber shock absorbers, cannot optimally cover the spring, damper, or sensor functionality, or even cover it at all. By installing our product in transport incubators, the babies lie on a support surface and can thus be transported with virtually no vibration. Another point is that the exact influence of the journeys and the effects of the vibrations on the newborn have not been precisely researched, but can only be estimated. Our sensor functionality can make an important contribution here.
Best friends become a founding team
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Muniqo: We, co-founders Luca Fabiano and Sebastian Wann, have known each other since elementary school and have been best friends ever since. We graduated from high school together and shared a lot of other ideas. Sebastian had the idea for our product while still in school. We both studied at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). There, we learned how to describe the idea mathematically and physically and developed an initial prototype. After completing our master's thesis and winning the TUM IdeAward 2023, we decided to apply the technology to real-world problems. Muniqo Performante has been a member of the TUM Venture Labs Additive Manufacturing and Mobility since December 2023. At the end of May, we also completed the Xplore program for UnternehmerTUM.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Muniqo: A specific challenge for a project in its early stages, like ours, is recruiting highly qualified staff. Such an undertaking is extremely risky, and therefore it's difficult to find people willing to join us in this regard. In addition, there are the usual issues: work-life balance, or rather, work-work-life balance, where we have to juggle startup, studies, and a part-time job; uncertainty; and, of course, money.
Plans for further development
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Muniqo: In one year, we aim to have completed the pilot projects, developed functional and potentially usable prototypes, and received EXIST funding, so we can then officially launch our company. In five years, we want to be established in the market and run a stable company with six-figure revenue, while simultaneously driving forward research and development and thus opening up additional market segments.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Muniqo: We received a tremendous amount of support and were able to build a large network in a very short time, especially through UnternehmerTUM. The Venture Labs also contributed to this. They also provide us with tremendous technical support. There are often great and helpful events. And if you need something or someone who isn't in the network, there's always someone who can quickly connect you. It's also extremely helpful that we have so many universities and sometimes even people who are genuinely interested in helping you. This accelerates the development of tech solutions immensely.
Munich Startup: Outsource or do it yourself?
Muniqo: We will not outsource.
