The Munich-based biotech company AMSilk was founded in 2008 as a spin-off of the Technical University of Munich (TU Munich). Since its founding a good twelve years ago, the startup has grown into a company with more than 30 employees and numerous customers around the world.
Recognized as one of the world's 50 most innovative companies in 2017, AMSilk is the first and only company capable of producing biotechnologically produced spider silk on a large scale. The AM in AMSilk's name stands for "Advanced Materials," and "Silk" refers to the biotechnologically produced spider silk. These silk biopolymers serve a wide variety of applications, including the aerospace industry and medical, lifestyle, and cosmetics sectors.
AMSilk: When bacteria become silk
But where did the innovative idea that led to the startup's founding come from? The company explains: Unlike traditional silk, which is produced in large quantities by silkworms, spiders only produce small amounts of their robust threads. Before AMSilk was founded, neither science nor the chemical industry had succeeded in producing spider silk on the scale necessary for industrial production.
To solve this problem, the inventor of the technology, Thomas Scheibel—then a professor at the Technical University of Munich—took a different, highly innovative approach: His patented process is based on the use of genetically modified E. coli bacteria. The bacteria were essentially reprogrammed to produce spider silk proteins. In a special process—which CEO Jens Klein says has been years in the making to perfect—these protein molecules are now used, among other things, to coat medical devices or to be spun into special fibers.
Technology as a game changer
We wanted to know from Managing Director Jens Klein how the company has developed — from the unusual idea that emerged from research to the successful company that AMSilk is today.
Munich Startup: Mr. Klein, how complicated was it to establish your revolutionary idea on the market?
Jens Klein, AMSilk: Producing a highly sought-after, yet completely new material in large quantities at acceptable prices and establishing it on the market is anything but trivial. We had to develop and optimize many steps to be able to serve large and diverse markets. Our interdisciplinary team has done a great job here and has now established a true innovation on the market. But this is just the beginning. We are developing many other interesting products—particularly in the fiber area—that will soon be available in stores.
“Potential to make established products obsolete”
Munich Startup: In 2017, AMSilk was named one of the world's most innovative companies by Technology Review. How does it feel to receive such an award?
Jens Klein: That we as one of the 50 most innovative companies worldwide demonstrates the enormous potential of silk technology. A completely new product like our biotechnologically produced silk is not just an innovative idea, but has the potential to make established products obsolete and replace them – and, in the long term, transform entire industries. Our product is a true game changer.
Munich Startup: When the company was founded in 2008, there was less startup support than there is today. What were the biggest challenges for AMSilk in this context?
Jens Klein: Startup support was already available in 2008, and we made extensive use of it. The conditions are certainly better today, but it's essentially about bringing in the missing expertise from outside. This works through startup programs or relevant industry experts. Of course, sufficient financing with a focus on entrepreneurial activity is always essential. Here, we were fortunate to have the right investors on board from the very beginning. (Editor's note: The idea was convincing in addition to the Munich MIG Fund also the investor AT Newtec, behind which stand the Hexal founders Andreas and Thomas Strüngmann.)
Biosteel is a nature-based bionic high-performance fiber. 
The raw material for the fiber is produced in a scalable biotechnological production process.
“Bringing missing expertise from outside into the company”
Munich Startup: Mr. Klein, you came on board in 2014. Why then? Can you describe what changes this brought to the company?
Jens Klein: AMSilk has a highly innovative technology that has the potential to play a key role in transforming established industries toward resource-efficient economies. However, technology alone is of little use without successfully establishing products on the market.
This was one of my key tasks when I joined AMSilk in 2014: Focusing on marketable products in the areas of cosmetics, textiles and Medical technologyAnd this is certainly essential for other startups in a similar situation. Young companies in Germany, in particular, are constantly inventing new and even outstanding technologies. Unfortunately, the implementation of such ideas into marketable products often fails.
The reasons for this are manifold: often there is a lack of Venture Capital, but often also the necessary focus on marketable products—and not infrequently, personnel expertise is lacking in this area. AMSilk has demonstrated that we can also achieve good sales and good margins with our highly innovative technology. Six months ago, we divested one of our divisions, cosmetics, and sold it to the Swiss company Givaudan. This, too, was a correct and necessary step for further and sustainable growth.
“Solidarity and focus on the essentials”
Munich Startup: In your opinion, what is the decisive factor for successful and sustainable corporate development?
Jens Klein: The decisive factor for successful and sustainable corporate development lies in the employees. Cohesion and the necessary focus on what matters most—generating value for the company and its shareholders—are particularly important.
Munich Startup: Do you still see yourself as a startup?
Jens Klein: After many years of development, AMSilk is currently in the commercialization phase. We now supply our customers in tonnes, and many end products are already available on the market. Operationally, we therefore see ourselves as an active company in the market, but in some other aspects, we are certainly still a startup.
In particular, the high level of flexibility, the high level of personal commitment of each employee – even beyond their own area of responsibility – as well as the innovative approach speak for this.
Silk fiber production at AMSilk. 
Products such as silicone implants are also improved by a thin coating of silk protein.
Actively enrich the world with new ideas
Munich Startup: What advice can you give to other founders?
Jens Klein: Persevere, even in difficult times. After all, the opportunity to actively contribute to bringing new ideas and new products to market, which in turn have new features and ideally don't further burden our planet, doesn't come along often in life, does it?
Munich Startup: That's a wonderful conclusion. Thank you for the interview.
