Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Albert Brenner, Managing Director & Co-Founder: With Obsphera We make 3D spatial computing as easy as uploading a photo. E-commerce companies want to display products in their online stores as interactive 3D models, insurance companies require more vivid documentation of insurance claims, and industrial companies need visual digital twins. Until now, creating high-quality 3D models was expensive, complicated, and took weeks. Our solution Obsphera.ai automatically creates interactive 3D models from photos or videos and puts them directly on the web – without special hardware, simply via a browser.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Albert Brenner: Of course, there were already methods for 3D creation. However, they all required specialized knowledge, a lot of time, and were expensive. For example, scanning and the necessary remodeling. Alternatively, 3D models can be developed manually, with the same cost and time disadvantages. Some companies also have 3D models from a CAD system, but cannot use them for web applications. Until now, the creation of 3D content was the central hurdle for immersive web experiences and applications. Our software now solves this, saving over 90 percent in costs and time compared to previous 3D methods. And before you ask: AI systems (LLMs) can also develop 3D models. This works well even where it is not important to depict a specific object, room, or building. When it comes to authenticity, LLMs are not suitable for 3D creation.
From web agency duo to deeptech startup
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Albert Brenner: My co-founder, Florian, and I have known each other since university in 1994. In 1997, we founded the first web agency and developed websites for companies. We've been friends ever since, and our professional paths have crossed frequently. Florian was Head of IT Continental Europe at Computershare, CPO at various startups, and have been developing software systems and products for over 25 years. I was a co-founder and manager of various agencies such as Pepper, thaltegos, and diva-e. I was responsible for marketing and sales at an American tech company for several years, and I've been working in business strategy, marketing, and sales for over 25 years. We came to Obsphera through our clients. We've worked on many spatial computing projects, and the biggest hurdle was always 3D creation. Companies like BMW ultimately required us to develop digital twins more cost-effectively and quickly than was possible using conventional methods. After a year and a half of R&D, we are now ready to offer our clients this option with Obsphera.
Technically highly complex, but easy to use
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Albert Brenner: The biggest challenge was balancing high-end 3D model quality with a fully automated and easy-to-use SaaS solution. 3D shouldn't be complicated, otherwise companies or, in the case of insurance companies, their customers wouldn't be able to use it themselves. With our Release 1, we're 90 percent there. This fall, we'll be able to provide a recording app, and then we'll have a 100 percent solution.
Pilot customers, pipeline, perspective
Munich Startup: How are things going and where would you like to be in one and five years?
Albert Brenner: We're now live with our Release 1. Together with our six employees, we've generated over €600,000 in revenue, acquired renowned pilot customers, and have a growing pipeline. And all of this so far without any funding or external capital. So, we're quite satisfied with our current status. Within the next year, we want to significantly scale within the DACH region and our focus sectors of insurance, e-commerce, and industry, also with the help of external capital. Our ambition for the coming years is to be the leading European B2B computer vision SaaS solution. With a market of €1.2 billion annually in the DACH region alone, we see enormous potential for our business.
A heart for Munich
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Albert Brenner: Munich is a perfect location for us. With BayStartUP and the Munich Business Plan Competition We have found a very helpful platform to refine our business model and strengthen our network of contacts. Collaboration with universities, especially the world-leading computer vision experts at TUM, is also of great importance to us. Last but not least, Munich is our home base, where we have built our personal and professional networks over the past few years. In that respect, it's a perfect fit for us.
Munich Startup: Quick exit or long breath?
Albert Brenner: Our goal is clear: We want to make 3D experiences accessible to everyone and grow Obsphera. An exit is only possible if it accelerates our vision. Until then, we're thinking long-term and scaling consistently.
