Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim, Mybacs: At Mybacs We harness the power of the microbiome to improve health from the inside out. We develop high-quality, science-based supplements specifically designed to promote the balance of the gut flora. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between the gut and overall well-being, as we know that a healthy microbiome not only influences digestion but also impacts many other processes in the body, including the immune system, metabolism, skin health, and even mental health. The problem we solve is that many people today suffer from stress, poor nutrition, and environmental factors that disrupt the microbiome. Through our products, we offer natural support to rebalance the gut microbiome and thus improve well-being. Our formulations contain specially selected bacterial strains and nutrients that have been proven effective in scientific studies. We attach great importance to transparency and quality – all our products are vegan, gluten- and lactose-free, and developed based on the latest scientific findings.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: That's true, gut health supplements aren't a completely new invention. What sets Mybacs apart from our competitors, however, is our innovative formulations, which are precisely tailored to the needs and requirements of specific target groups. We also differentiate ourselves in the way we bring gut health to the masses. We go a step further by leveraging the latest research in microbiome health to develop high-dose products that target not only digestion but also skin health, metabolism, and the immune system. We also place great importance on transparency and aesthetics—we want our customers to know what they're taking, while also offering high-quality, appealing design. Our direct customer approach and D2C approach allow us to respond more quickly to customer needs and offer customized solutions.
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: Our story began in 2018 with a crucial question: How can we sustainably improve human health? We found the answer in the microbiome—one of the most underestimated areas of our body. We realized that better health begins with a holistic approach to this and optimal nutrient intake, which is significantly influenced by the microbiome.
Science meets modern health needs
The original idea was Travelbacs, a product specifically for travelers to prevent digestive problems caused by foreign environmental conditions and pathogens. But with the outbreak of the pandemic, travel became impossible, and we realized that the microbiome needed to be supported in everyday life as well. My co-founder Sebastian, a pharmacist, had observed during his studies in Boston how the field of gut health was gaining significant international attention. In America, brands like Seed had already established themselves, not only offering high-quality products but also building a modern, appealing, and scientifically sound brand. In Germany, the topic was still dominated by traditional, outdated brands in the pharmacy sector. There was a lack of scientifically based yet aesthetically appealing D2C brands.
That was the moment we founded Mybacs (= my bacteria) – with the goal of connecting the science of the microbiome with modern health needs and offering products that are both scientifically sound, visually appealing and easily accessible.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: Our biggest challenges at Mybacs were diverse: A key challenge is educating consumers. Many people are unaware of the importance of the microbiome for their health. Our task is not only to offer products but also to raise awareness of the role of a healthy gut flora. This requires a lot of educational work through marketing, our website, and direct customer contact. We had to find ways to communicate complex scientific concepts in an understandable way to demonstrate how our products support long-term health.
Challenge: Market entry in a highly regulated environment
Another challenge was entering the market in a highly regulated environment. Dietary supplements are subject to strict legal requirements, particularly regarding health claims. Therefore, we ensure that all claims are scientifically sound and compliant with regulations in markets such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The path from idea to market approval is often complex and time-consuming—but doable, as we demonstrate with our company.
After all, growth and scaling are challenging. The transition from startup to established brand requires building a stable infrastructure and a strong team. In addition to product development, we had to further expand our logistics, sales, and marketing to meet growing demand – always with a focus on sustainable growth and maintaining our quality and values.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: In one year, we aim to significantly increase our brand awareness in the DACH region by further expanding our online business and strengthening customer loyalty on our website. Our focus is on continuously optimizing and expanding our product portfolio to meet the changing needs of our customers. We also aim to enter the offline market to make our products accessible to a larger target audience.
In five years, we envision Mybacs as the leading provider of science-based microbiome products in Europe. Longer term, we want to build a strong community around gut health and wellness that supports people in holistically understanding and improving their health. We also plan international expansion to gain a foothold outside of the DACH region and establish the brand globally.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: Munich offers us an excellent environment and several key advantages that make it a particularly attractive location. The city is known for its strong presence in the fields of technology, IT, life sciences, and medical research. This makes Munich a hotspot for tech startups and research institutions, offering a wide range of opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
Thanks to renowned universities such as the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), startups have access to highly qualified specialists and new talent, especially in the fields of technology, natural sciences and entrepreneurship.
Networks such as Bits & Pretzels, the annual founders' conference, and innovation forums offer excellent platforms for networking, investor contact and exchange with other founders.
However, Munich is one of the most expensive cities in Germany, which presents a challenge, especially for young companies. High office and living costs make getting started difficult. Nevertheless, the high quality of life and strong network make Munich an ideal location for us.
Goal: Sustainable, international success
Munich Startup: Hidden champion or shooting star?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: We see ourselves as an exciting mix of both. First, we are establishing ourselves as a hidden champion, with the goal of becoming the market leader in the microbiome health niche. In the early years, our focus was on sustainable, long-term growth, the high quality of our products, and close customer relationships. With our scientifically sound and innovative products, we have already established ourselves in the microbiome niche and offer solutions that truly help our customers.
Our next step is to significantly increase our brand awareness, establish a public presence, and gain more media attention to become a shooting star. Our vision is to be known not just as a brand for gut health, but as a leading brand that promotes holistic health from the inside out. Our path is clear: We strive for sustainable, international success – both within our niche and beyond.
