Julia Flötotto, a computer scientist, founded a startup with three partners. Smart4Diagnostics, or S4DX, wants the Digitize the path for blood samples from collection to the laboratory. How the startup benefits from exchange and diversity, what is important to the founder and what has shaped her — an interview.
Munich Startup: What motivated you to start the company?
Julia Flötotto: The desire to design and create something myself. Discovering a niche in the market, inventing and developing a product interactively with customers and users, building a team—these are challenges I love. My goal is to bring about lasting changes and improvements. Only if this succeeds can a startup survive.
“Then suddenly a veil is lifted”
Munich Startup: Did you have any role models when you started your business?
Julia Flötotto: Günther Faltin, the founder of the Teekampagne (Tea Campaign), is a role model. I find the approach of developing new and fair business ideas through a critical eye and analysis of the status quo—especially without being an expert myself—very exciting. If the new ideas also promote sustainability and efficiency, then I consider it the ultimate discipline.
Another role model is my father, an entrepreneur himself. His immense energy and perseverance, but also his humility and appreciation of each individual employee as a part of our success, are key elements that have had a profound impact on me.
Munich Startup: When and where do you get the best ideas?
Julia Flötotto: I usually develop ideas through discussion with others. Then, suddenly, a veil is lifted in the discussion, and things become very clear and logical.
Julia Flötotto: A woman with infectious energy
Munich Startup: Your greatest talent?
Julia Flötotto: I think that I have a lot of “contagious” energy and can inspire others.
Munich Startup: The biggest mistake you have ever made?
Julia Flötotto: It is very tempting to assume that others think in a similar way to oneself. I always find it challenging and exciting how different we humans are and how we, as a team and as managers – “team builders” – manage to do justice to this.
Munich Startup: Your secret weapon when networking?
Julia Flötotto: Openness and curiosity about other people.
“Diversity helps us a lot”
Munich Startup: Was being a female founder an advantage or a disadvantage for you?
Julia Flötotto: As a female founder and computer scientist, you get a certain amount of attention. This has always helped me to forge my own path. Since I co-founded the company with three men, I don't notice any disadvantages. The diversity helps us a lot.
Munich Startup: The three worst prejudices you have encountered in your everyday life as a founder?
Julia Flötotto: I haven't encountered any prejudices so far. As an "exotic" person, I feel pretty free in that regard.
Thanks to EIC Accelerator, recruiting is now underway
Munich Startup: What’s on top of your desk right now?
Julia Flötotto: Recruiting. In December we received confirmation for the EU EIC Accelerator and thus be able to grow in a completely different way. We are looking for several software developers, one QM and Lean Production Manager, and one Office Manager.
Munich Startup: Where will you spend your next vacation?
Julia: Skiing holiday with my family in Austria.
