The Munich startup StudySmarter helps students learn even better. The StudySmarter platform provides support through mind maps, statistics, and gamification..
1. Who are you and what do you do?
We founded StudySmarter as a trio. We met as part of the Manage&More program of the UnternehmerTUM and have already worked together successfully before. Till, 22 (Computer Science at TUM), and Simon, 26 (Mechanical Engineering at TUM), are responsible for product development. Christian, 20 (Business Administration at LMU), works on corporate strategy and financing.
Intelligent algorithm supports learning
Students can upload their learning materials (e.g., lecture slides and lecture notes) to the StudySmarter platform. These are then analyzed and processed by the intelligent StudySmarter algorithm. As a result, students can access the automatically generated Smart Studying Content—mind maps, summaries, and quizzes—in real time.
Through learning interaction with our Smart Studying Content, we can show students comprehensive statistics on their current learning level and progress and increase learning motivation with gamification features.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Amazingly, not yet! We differentiate ourselves from other e-learning providers for students along two dimensions.
Continuous success experiences
On the one hand, we are the first providers to use intelligent algorithms to automate parts of the learning process. Existing solutions relied solely on manually created learning materials, resulting in either poor availability or poor quality.
On the other hand, we not only improve the efficiency aspect of the learning process, but also help students better structure their learning process and stay more motivated. We achieve this through sophisticated statistics and gamification features that increase transparency and continuously generate moments of success.
Biggest challenge: Market-ready product
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
The learning process is one of the most fundamental yet complex human actions. Supporting this process holistically presents a monumental challenge, especially with the limited resources of a startup.
As a result, we have to focus on individual features, especially at the beginning, in order to generate significant short-term customer benefits. The process of turning our concept into a market-ready and quickly implementable product has been our biggest challenge to date.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
We've just released our first prototype in closed beta, so the first students are currently testing StudySmarter. We're very excited about the feedback and will use the insights to further develop our platform until its launch in December.
The StudySmarter team includes — in addition to the co-founders — twelve passionate students who help us in all areas of the company! Thanks to the support of the CDTM We have an office in downtown Munich. We are currently looking for new employees!
StudySmarter is currently being supported in two accelerator programs, the Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator and the EY Start-up Academy. We have also received commitments from two major companies to support our development. We are also in close contact with universities.
StudySmarter: “We owe a lot to the Munich ecosystem”
5. What does Munich mean to you?
All three co-founders are Munich natives, and we also received our university education here. StudySmarter emerged from the Manage&More and CDTM ecosystem, and we owe a huge amount to the Munich ecosystem and its support.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
In three to six months, we'll be able to answer this question much better. The big question right now is what user feedback will be on the actual product and what service we'll be able to provide to students by the next exam period. Either way, it remains exciting!
7. Isar or English Garden?
English Garden.
