Munich Startup: Who are you and what does Saysom do? Please introduce yourselves briefly!
Antonia Pervanidis, Saysom: Behind Saysom is a young team with the vision of making every type of online event as flexible and user-friendly as possible. Together with my two co-founders, Cornelius Carl (25, architecture) and Jan Dihlmann (25, computer science), we work every day to provide users with a unique event experience. Whether it's a corporate event, roundtable discussion, or class reunion.
The coronavirus pandemic has separated people in many ways – both professionally and personally. Saysom wants to bring people together again. We also want to enable new options for digital collaboration: through a user experience and features that simply can't be found in Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangouts.
The three of us know each other from school. Cornelius and Jan were in the same class, and I was in the same class as them for a year. Over the years, we stayed in touch despite our different educational paths. Ultimately, we all shared the entrepreneurial spirit, and now we're here.
Saysom creates dynamic communication and interaction
Munich Startup: What problem does your startup solve?
Antonia Pervanidis: Everyone has experienced the awkward situations in video calls several times – half the participants have their cameras turned off, and the other half's inattention is evident on their faces. The problem is standardized platforms that offer little flexibility for both participants and hosts.
This is precisely where Saysom comes in: a virtual space in which participants can move independently, join forces, create private spaces, and store media. This creates dynamic communication and interaction opportunities that enable free group formation and, ultimately, networking in the digital space.
Speed dating, whiteboard and more
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Antonia Pervanidis: That's true, there are many video platforms on the market. Compared to other video platforms, Saysom abstracts the advantages of a physical event, such as freedom of movement and dynamic group formation. Instead of ten tiles with videos of blank facial expressions, I, as a participant, can freely decide who I talk to. With Saysom, we want to show that digital events offer just as much as real events – if not more. A free communication system where everyone can talk to everyone. With features like the speed dating function, where all participants can get to know each other, or an integrated whiteboard function, Saysom can be used for a variety of events, whether homeschooling, networking, or corporate events.
For homeschooling, networking or corporate events
Munich Startup: What have been your three biggest challenges so far?
Antonia Pervanidis: There have already been a few, and we're sure to face more challenges. Starting with the ability to discard good ideas if they lack market relevance. For example, we started with little Sims as avatars, but then, with a heavy heart, we had to let go of them.
Time was also a clear challenge at the beginning. Since all three of us were busy with other projects, whether studying or working, we often reached our limits. Added to that, of course, was the current market relevance. The biggest challenge, which we and every other founder certainly face, is not letting ourselves be discouraged by all the small and even large setbacks.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Antonia Pervanidis: This year, the focus is on product development and feature implementation to enable a holistic event for as many customers as possible. Looking further into the future, we are pursuing the vision of a platform on which any type of digital Event can be held and hosted.
Munich Startup: How do you rate Munich as a startup location?
Antonia Pervanidis: Saysom knows no geographical boundaries, which is why our team is spread across Germany. Currently, only one-third of the team is based in Munich. But that can change at any time.
Munich Startup: Isar or English Garden?
Antonia Pervanidis: It's all in the combination!
