Munich Startup: What motivated you to start the company?
Susanne Haspinger: The founding of Holo-Light It wasn't planned in advance, but rather a spontaneous idea within the group. We simply knew we had to tackle the topic of augmented and virtual reality. Personally, it was very important to me to build something of my own and help shape a team and product from the very beginning.
Munich Startup: Did you have any role models when you started your business?
Susanne Haspinger: I didn't have a particular role model and I don't have one. Until I founded the company, I had hardly any contact with the startup world. Together with my co-founders, I simply took the plunge. However, I do try to learn from others. female founders and founders and also to share my experiences.
Munich Startup: When and where do you get the best ideas?
Susanne Haspinger: I get inspiration from many places and in a variety of situations. Often through direct interaction with my colleagues. But also after conversations, while running, working in the garden, sewing, or simply sitting in the car.
keep Calm
Munich Startup: Your greatest talent?
Susanne Haspinger: My greatest talent is keeping calm. Even in stressful and chaotic situations, I stay cool and can channel the "chaos" into orderly channels.
Munich Startup: How do you deal with doubts?
Susanne Haspinger: I go through my doubts or thoughts point by point to see if they're well-founded or just speculation. If I still have doubts, I talk to my co-founders about them. But I've never had any doubts about the founding and success of Holo-Light.
No chance of a “crisis-proof” job
Munich Startup: The three worst prejudices you encountered when starting a business?
Susanne Haspinger:
- This can never end well. You'll all end up deeply in debt.
- You are wasting the chance of a “crisis-proof” job in a large company.
- Founding a startup has nothing to do with real work. You just play table football all day.
Munich Startup: How do you set priorities? And which ones?
Susanne Haspinger: We set priorities for the company as a team. It's important to have a good overview and consider different perspectives. It helps that we all take a very analytical approach and are also good at discussing things with each other. In my day-to-day work, I like to work with to-do lists – my calendar filled with notes is my constant companion.
Susanne Haspinger: “There will always be challenges when building a startup”
Munich Startup: Does this seem like a good time to start a business? Why?
Susanne Haspinger: Having a good idea is always a good time to start a business. There can and will always be challenges when founding and building a startup.
Munich Startup: Do you think it is important that more women start businesses in Germany?
Susanne Haspinger: Definitely, we need more diversity to drive innovation and to allow and utilize different perspectives.
Series B financing is in progress
Munich Startup: What’s on top of your desk right now?
Susanne Haspinger: Preparing for our next investment round. We're currently working on our Series B financing round to further build the team and grow.
Munich Startup: What makes you happy?
Susanne Haspinger: The moments when my colleagues and I can share our free time and private lives and laugh until we cry. And of course, there's also sunshine, long road trips, and a good book.
