Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Hannes Münzinger, founder and managing director of HomenergyWe provide homeowners with access to renewable energy. This means we advise our customers and supply them with photovoltaic modules, energy storage systems, heat pumps, and wall boxes. We also offer them the Homenergy Manager, an energy management solution that intelligently controls energy flows. And we provide them with access to a dynamic electricity tariff. Ultimately, our goal is to provide our customers with cost-effective and reliable energy. sustainable energy to supply.
Sustainable energy for private households
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Hannes Münzinger: Yes and no. It's true that there are other providers with similar offerings. And yes, we don't have a traditional USP. We differentiate ourselves from other companies primarily by combining the advantages of a regional craft business with the potential of digitalization. We are positioned to provide optimal local support to our customers – they have a dedicated, permanent contact person. At the same time, our own IT platform makes us very efficient. Our customer reviews and the fact that we are growing against the trend, especially in a very difficult market environment, demonstrate that this works.
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Hannes Münzinger: I worked in the energy sector for almost ten years, most recently as Managing Director at Daheim Solar. By mid-2022, it was clear that the market for solutions for the energy transition was really taking off. That was a time when the entire country was worried about gas storage levels and the future of the energy supply. Since I was already looking for a new challenge, I decided to tackle the topic and establish a company—together with my co-founders Bastian and Alexander, whom I knew from Daheim Solar. I knew we had a fantastic team dynamic.
Boom over, Homenergy still growing
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Hannes Münzinger: We're probably in the midst of our greatest challenge right now. The PV and heat pump market has suffered tremendously recently; the initial boom is over. This is partly due to energy prices falling again, but also to a great deal of misinformation and uncertainty – especially surrounding heat pumps – as well as the discontinuation of subsidy programs. Nevertheless, we're growing – bucking the trend – and are financially more than stable. That's why we see the opportunities above all else, as the market is currently consolidating.
Munich Startup: How are things going?
Hannes Münzinger: The Business is going well – despite the difficult market situation I just described. In the first year after our founding, we achieved sales of 42 million euros and an EBITDA of almost 4 million euros. With only 1 million euros in start-up capital, we were able to break even after just three months. We're continuing on this path. And currently, for example, we're seeing an increase of over 50 percent in June 2024 compared to the previous months, and we're far better positioned than the overall market.
“Excellent opportunities to grow as a startup”
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Hannes Münzinger: Incredibly positive. I've been in Munich for over twelve years – my two co-founders are native Munich residents. The city offers excellent opportunities for growth as a startup. Great infrastructure, a well-established startup scene, a diverse and highly educated workforce, and much more. We absolutely love being here.
Munich Startup: Outsource or do it yourself?
Hannes Münzinger: Both. We're aware of our strengths, but we're also aware that there are areas we prefer to leave to our partners. For example, our in-house developed IT platform is a key success factor. We also primarily handle electrical installation and heating installation ourselves. At the same time, we have subcontractors for rooftop installation of photovoltaic systems, for example. We always strive to pursue the path that best advances us as a company, but above all, our customers.
