The Munich-based startup Camperboys aims to give travelers the campervan experience, with comfort at the forefront. The startup's digital travel assistant is designed to provide campers with optimal routing and insider tips for overnight stays. Camperboys is already the second company for the two founders, Andreas Mall and Paul Pizzinini. Here, the two explain how they came up with the idea and what makes it so unique.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
Camperboys rents out top-equipped VW vans directly from Munich Airport. The name actually comes from the two founders, Andreas Mall and Paul Pizzinini. Even as schoolchildren, we traveled the world together, equipped with the bare essentials, a few hammocks, or a retired camper van, but always with a thirst for adventure. At the same time, Andi earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and a degree in savings bank management, while Paul is completing his master's degree in media, management, and digital technologies in Munich.
We've turned our passion for traveling and discovering the world on wheels into our profession. We make the adventure easier for our renters: We offer the latest VW California campervans with all the features needed for a comfortable journey, making the hearts of both camping novices and seasoned travelers beat faster.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
We may not be the first campervan rental company in Germany, but our location is unique: By offering the option of departing directly from the airport, we want to offer international travelers a mobile adventure. For a trip through the beautiful Alpine foothills of Bavaria, across Germany, or Europe, Munich is naturally an ideal starting point.
Digital travel assistant with insider tip instead of campsite
In addition to traditional and analog rentals, our renters will have access to a digital travel assistant, an app that offers hand-picked, personalized routes and personal contacts throughout Europe. The Camperboys want to provide an unforgettable experience that doesn't necessarily have to involve a crowded campsite, but can take place at insider-tip locations such as unique country estates with picture-perfect views.
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
With Camperboys, we want to reach a size that allows us to live off our dream without any capital of our own and without giving up any shares.
Profitable, but in discussion with partners to accelerate expansion
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Our arrival at Munich Airport, the rental of our vans, and the development of our customized route app are all going according to plan. We're already in talks with strategic partners for 2020 to accelerate our expansion. And most importantly: the team is growing, and we're always having a lot of fun!
5. What does Munich mean to you?
We both grew up in the west of Munich and always enjoyed the proximity to the lakes and mountains. The Alps are an hour away, and the seaside is five hours away—this location is also perfect for campervans!
In addition, we are fortunate to benefit from the great network of LMU Entrepreneurship Center and the UnternehmerTUM to benefit and make promising contacts. Munich generally offers a good base for networking, as important contracts are still signed here on beer mats.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Unicorn or not, we're going all-in and having a lot of fun!
Camperboys is already profitable, so hopefully we'll be spared the Epic Fail Night.
7. Fish on a stick or pork knuckle?
Two pork knuckles, please!
