How are Munich startups dealing with the coronavirus crisis? What restrictions are they experiencing due to working from home, and are they worried about their business? We've gathered their views.
Maria and Dominik Sievert from Inveox:
"We are all facing uncertain times, and the impact on the global economy will potentially be significant. On a personal level, the restrictions of the coronavirus crisis are an organizational and mental challenge for many, for example, for colleagues with children. Therefore, our line managers are in close contact with the teams on a daily basis to provide them with the best possible support. The health and safety of our employees remains our highest priority. As far as Inveox is concerned, it is important to us to remain calm and focus even more on our core competencies. Whether working from home or on-site, our goal remains to help people. Each employee does this in their own area of expertise and in their own way. However, the real heroes these days are not us, but our customers: medical specialists and laboratory staff who are working tirelessly. We would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts, both as an Inveox team and as individuals."
Laurin Hahn from Sono Motors:
"At the moment, conditions are changing from day to day, and the true impact of the current situation on the automotive industry cannot yet be fully assessed. We are currently assessing the situation for ourselves, but remain optimistic that we can achieve our development and financing goals this year. However, it is certainly to be expected that there may be delays in the schedule."
Economic crises are not exactly the best times to secure investments for startups
Claudio Ricci from Picter:
"To be completely honest: The concerns are there. Economic crises aren't exactly the best times to secure investments for startups, let alone improve key internal KPIs. The next two months will be crucial for us (as they are for almost all companies). However, the current rush on our platform and the fact that we're building software that's needed right now by a large portion of all creative teams worldwide (marketing, agencies, freelancers) makes me very optimistic. I think we can emerge from this crisis positively. But of course, you never know how hard it will hit our customers and, consequently, us."
Veronika Schweighart from Climedo Health:
"Coronavirus is a global crisis that requires cooperation and rapid action. As a healthcare startup, we want to use our resources to contribute to containing the virus. Our automated eDiary solutions can support essential measures such as social distancing: First, each patient's health status can be monitored remotely, and second, research projects are significantly accelerated using real-world evidence. Our goal is to help both physicians and researchers achieve results safely, quickly, and affordably without further spreading the disease. This is a call to all institutes, physicians, and researchers currently working on a COVID-19 project to contact us and discuss the possibilities."
We have cancelled personal meetings during recruiting
Michael Frick from Repair:
"As with all companies, uncertainty is there and cannot be ignored. However, we see the current crisis as an opportunity for our company. More and more people are developing an even greater awareness of health issues, particularly because of the current situation. This is precisely where we can add value with our Ayurvedic topics. The current download numbers and the many positive feedback show us that we are on the right track. Even people who previously considered healthy eating and an understanding of their bodies less important are reporting to us about the positive effects on their well-being. We look forward to the coming weeks and months with calm and positivity!"
Florian Zyprian from Confucius:
"So far, everything is fine for us. We're also working from home for the time being. Software development is continuing as normal. Since we've been working as a remote team before, nothing has changed here. We're currently conducting client meetings and demos via web conference, which has been well received. Only in recruiting have we postponed in-person meetings with promising candidates we've already met digitally."
Fabian Eckert from Recup:
“The biggest challenge is to keep the team together as best as possible, even when working digitally, and to maintain team spirit.”
Stephan Werner from Risklio:
"Risklio develops AI to analyze opportunities and risks in the financial markets. Under the motto "Keep Calm and Carry On from Home," we are using current developments in the financial markets as an opportunity to optimize our algorithms. However, we take no risks and utilize the full range of digital tools for virtual collaboration."
No customer visits to hospitals possible
Julian Nast-Kolb from Cliniserve:
"We've been managing quite well with working from home so far, even though it's certainly an adjustment. However, we have to significantly change our business practices in the short term, as we, as our customers, are currently unable to visit hospitals and therefore cannot hold sales meetings, appointments, or training sessions. At the same time, demand is high despite and because of the crisis, as we can help close staffing gaps with software solutions for absence management and better connect isolated patients with care through digital patient communication. Now we have to switch to online meetings with customers and find time for this between crisis management meetings of the hospital management. However, support for nursing is even more important than before in the current situation, which is why we are all the more motivated!"
Manuel Pessanha from Synertics:
"Our biggest concern is that the current situation will dampen the positive momentum of the mobility industry, thereby slowing the production and market launch of electric vehicles. This could disrupt supply chains and indirectly negatively impact companies like Synertics."
Andy Weinzierl from Sushi Bike:
"We're not worried, but a healthy respect for such a large task is certainly appropriate for a young company. Ultimately, a Sushi Bike is exactly what people need and want right now: independence from public transport."
