Munich Startup: Who are you and what do you do? Please introduce yourselves briefly!
Frank Juice: We are Marco, Daniel and Korbinian, the founders of Frank Juice – one of Germany's first cold-pressed juice providers. We met during our studies and are now bringing New York's cold-pressed juice to Europe. Since 2013, we've been pursuing the mission of helping promote body-conscious nutrition and a positive attitude to life with our juices, soups, and shots. We place particular emphasis on complete nutritional content and the highest quality.
Munich Startup: What problem does your startup solve?
Frank Juice: We help many people live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle with our nutrient-rich and innovative products – and offer quick access to natural, fresh ingredients. At the same time, we protect nature through our recycling program and sustainable resource sourcing.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Frank Juice: We place the highest value on high-quality raw materials in our products. We avoid purees and concentrates and use only whole ingredients. Our goal of producing products as high-quality and simple as possible sets us apart from our competitors and sets us apart in the market.
Frank Juice: Longer shelf life thanks to bottling under pressure
Munich Startup: What have been your three biggest challenges so far?
Frank Juice: We encountered our first major challenge right at the beginning: our goal was to keep our juices fresh for up to two weeks – without additives or preservatives. With the help of our HPP process, which preserves the freshly squeezed juices through pressure, we achieve precisely that. Since this process is only possible with PET bottles, we introduced a deposit system in keeping with our sustainability philosophy. The bottles can then be returned to deposit machines and recycled, thus contributing to a smaller footprint. The biggest challenge, however, was getting used to the management positions, as none of us had started the business after graduating with any professional experience.
Munich Startup: How are things going?
Frank Juice: We've received a lot of positive feedback on our products and their effectiveness. In 2020, we generated sales of several million euros and are listed in over 1,500 REWE stores.
Munich Startup: How do you rate Munich as a startup location?
Frank Juice: In our opinion, one of the best in Europe! The startup community in Munich is huge, and we particularly benefit from exchanging ideas with other founders on various topics and growth phases. With renowned universities nearby, such as LMU and TUM, we have optimal access to qualified employees. The city's infrastructure is also extremely attractive for startups – and the connections within the city also make Munich a great place to live for its residents.
Munich Startup: Risk or security?
Frank Juice: Starting a business is already a risk in itself! While our classmates and friends chose a more traditional career path, we founded our own startup. The risk of failure is high and has massive financial and psychological consequences. However, with careful and good planning, external help, and the support of family and friends, these failures can be prevented. And it's worth it!
