Sira has launched innovative concepts for corporate childcare. This makes it worthwhile even for smaller companies that want to offer their employees added value. Christina Ramgraber and David Siekaczek, the founders of the non-profit company, are doing this so successfully that they plan to expand to at least 15 to 20 locations in 2019. Our 7 questions for Christina from Sira.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your services!
We are 'Sira Kinderbetreuung' and we offer—who would have thought it—childcare! But we do it a little differently than others: we usually initiate our projects in cooperation with employers, specifically small and medium-sized companies. Our project partners are those for whom a company daycare center seems far too expensive at first glance. So our offerings are aimed, for example, at startups that don't yet have 3,000 employees but rely on retaining colleagues within the company. We conduct our projects with smaller companies that have always wanted to offer childcare for employees' children, but until now had only considered large and therefore very expensive company daycare centers.
Who are we? This is David Siekaczek, 36, a business graduate, and I, Christina Ramgraber, 37, also an economist. We met at our previous employer, so we knew that we were extremely different, yet also complemented each other perfectly.
Innovative company daycare centers for startups
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Yes, company-based childcare has been around for a long time, but not on the scale we offer at our Sira locations. Fortunately, there are a few others, and we're very happy about them, because nothing is more valuable and exciting than the exchange and joint development of the market as a whole.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
- The founding team.
- The stubbornness: We pursue a common goal.
- The clear vision: We know exactly how we want to work together as colleagues — also known as 'corporate culture'.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Since 2017, when we founded Sira Kinderbetreuung as a non-profit limited liability company, we've grown from 0 to 10 locations. In 2019, we'll be opening five more: in Munich, Straubing, and Cologne. We're in talks to open five more this year. We plan to have 39 locations by the end of 2020. We're confident we can achieve this.
“We have benefited greatly from mentoring programs and offers for startups”
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich gave us the opportunity to develop thanks to many opportunities for founders. We benefited greatly from mentoring programs and offers for startups, especially from the SCE and the Social Entrepreneurship AkademieIn addition, all the important associations and decision-makers relevant to us are here, at least when it comes to Bavaria as a location. A lot is happening here! And that's a very important foundation for innovative concepts.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Oh yes, the unicorn thing... we think it's important that we contribute to the development of society through our work, create understanding between employees and employers, and jointly develop solutions for the challenges of everyday family life. And of course, it's good if it's financially worthwhile for everyone—and it will be! As shareholders of Sira, we're certain of that. I'll still come to Epic Fail Night—because you can never learn enough!
7. Isar or English Garden?
Isar! Absolutely!
