Munich Startup: Last time we spoke, you said that SUMM AI wants to offer Easy Language in foreign languages and for the medical and legal fields. Have you been able to achieve this goal?
Flora Geske, Co-Founder Summ AI: Absolutely, we've made great progress here! For example, we've launched a large-scale collaboration with Apotheken Umschau, Germany's largest-circulation health magazine, which is available in 80 percent of the country's approximately 17,600 pharmacies. We've expanded our AI tool for the use case of complex health information. Together, we've developed an editorial process for publishing understandable medical texts at Apotheken Umschau, where our tool is now in productive use. Julian Hörner, project manager there, describes the impact very aptly. I quote: "It's an incredible time saver, as we used to need days for a translation process. With external partners [Summ AI], we can now do it in a few hours thanks to great support, and this enables us to provide significantly more high-quality health information."
We have also been able to initiate exciting collaborations in the translation of various languages: Our tool has been able to translate not only German but also into easy French and easy English for some time now and has already been used by the French government.
Obstacles and a steep growth journey
Munich Startup: What obstacles did you encounter along the way?
Flora Geske: It's particularly challenging to build a growing team where our impact-driven culture remains intact and everyone can participate fully on our rapid growth journey. Since we founded the company straight out of college, we're also first-time managers—it's a challenge to find our feet. But as is often the case with startups: every day you do many things for the first time and grow enormously. Regardless of whether it works on the first or second attempt.
Munich Startup: How has your solution evolved?
Flora Geske: Our AI tool for easy-to-use language is continuously evolving—particularly with regard to the simplest, end-to-end automated creation process for easy-to-use texts. We've worked intensively on one particularly effective feature: seamless integration into the content management systems used by municipalities and companies to maintain their websites and publish content. We've been able to develop various plug-ins, including for WordPress and Typo3, eliminating the need for tedious copy-pasting when working with our tool.
Very successful, 7-figure financing round
Munich Startup: And how are things looking financially for you?
Flora Geske: Great! At the end of last year we had a very successful, 7-figure financing round We have collected a large amount of capital that makes our current rapid growth possible. Among those on board are the Munich-based VC Venture Stars, as well as several family offices and business angels. Furthermore, we are gaining new license customers every day. This generates recurring revenue. Customers have now translated more than 80,000 texts into plain language using our tool, including Deutsche Bahn, Telekom, and the savings banks.
Munich Startup: What learnings have you as a founding team learned so far?
Flora Geske: Being a founder is truly lifelong learning. Not a single day goes by without encountering some new topic. It gives you tremendous freedom and creative freedom. But it's also a lot of work! However, the joy of being our own boss and being able to take matters into our own hands almost always outweighs it.
Munich Startup: What role has the Munich ecosystem played in your journey so far?
Flora Geske: A major role! After the excellent start in the UnternehmerTUM programs (for example, with Xpreneurs), we received active support in the ecosystem through diverse financial and non-material support. We would like to highlight the Media Lab Bayern and that Plant1, where we currently have our offices. Both institutions have created a very special community, of which we are very happy to be an active part, and in which we network with and support other startups.
Summ Ai: Future Milestones
Munich Startup: What milestones are you working towards next?
Flora Geske: We are currently working on two central goals: to ensure a comprehensive offering of information in easy-to-read language in all municipalities in Germany and to support companies in implementing the new, tightened regulations on accessibility. The Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG) will come into force in 2025, which means that products and services must also be made accessible to end customers – including with regard to contracts, product information, FAQs, etc. We are currently establishing ourselves as the Provider for the B2B segment!
