Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Darius Göttert, Spreadly: With Spreadly we make digital business cards for companiesOr, to be more precise: We have developed software that makes it as easy as possible for companies to switch from paper business cards to digital business cards in the form of a QR code, link, or NFC card.
This solves several problems: On the one hand, the classic problem that almost 90 percent of paper business cards are thrown away before they are even saved in the contact details. Then there is the challenge of how to get contacts into your CRM after a trade fair, for example. We solve this through connecting, i.e. by scanning the other person's Apple or Google Wallet, for example, and thus having all contact details directly in their phone. This includes telephone number and email address, but also social media accounts such as LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram. You also get the office location, for example, and even the option to book an appointment. This means you have significantly more information about the other person than if you only exchanged telephone numbers.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Darius Göttert: Yes, there are already some players, and this has developed significantly in recent years. But in essence we are doing two things better: First, we're making it easier than ever for companies to introduce digital business cards for all employees. For example, we have an Office or Google Workspace integration, which allows companies to create a template for all employees. Employees are then connected and immediately have a finished digital business card. This means that whether the company has five or 500,000 employees, it takes less than half an hour for everyone to have digital business cards.
Companies can completely customize the Spreadly solution
The second point is that we offer the broadest range of features on the market. Spreadly offers a white solution that can be completely customized by a company. This starts with the corporate design, continues with text modules, and extends to references and important information that should be included on the page. Integration is also an important component; for example, we offer connections to CRM systems like Hubspot or Salesforce, or even appointment booking directly via Calendly.
We also continue to offer physical cards for those who still want them. These can be paper business cards with a QR code printed on them that links to the Spreadly website. Using the QR code, the recipient can then directly save contact details or book appointments. They can also return to the website at any time to see the latest information, such as when their position or phone number changes. We are therefore expanding the functionality of the paper business card. We also offer NFC cards made of wood, metal, or plastic. Ideally, this will be the last business card you ever buy.
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Darius Göttert: Spreadly is the result of a long process. It all began with our CTO Florian, our techie. He's the one who built the entire software. He started developing an alternative to Linktree as a hobby, a one-link solution that was GDPR compliant—because Linktree isn't. Once the software was largely complete, he approached me, as we already knew each other from Academy Consult, a student management consultancy that has also given rise to Celonis, Presize, Remberg, Vestigas, and various other startups.
“Studies expect the greatest demand for 2026/27”
He asked me if I wanted to join Spreadly and take over the business side. We quickly realized that this Linktree alternative had a lot of potential, but that there was an even more exciting market for the features we had in the base. Our research showed that digital business cards have seen increasing search volumes and users in recent years, and studies predict peak demand for 2026/27. We then started talking to a lot of people: potential clients, agencies, friends, and potential investors gave us a lot of input on what the ideal digital business card requires.
Once we had built the requested features, we officially launched Spreadly and began focusing on user acquisition. That's when our current CSO, Etienne, joined us. We also met him through Academy Consult. He started with us as a Sales Manager and became familiar with Spreadly's potential. And since we wanted a third founder anyway, we brought him on board. This way, Flo can now focus purely on tech, Etienne handles sales, and I can concentrate on all other business-related topics.
Spreadly relies on a strong network
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Darius Göttert: Of course, a major challenge was generating the first users. Not necessarily to make money, but above all to get feedback and continuously develop the product. We solved this challenge by simply proactively contacting many people in our network. And thanks to the student management consultancy, thanks START MunichThanks to other startups in Munich with which we're connected, we've been able to ask many contacts for feedback. The great thing about our product is that when people use it, other people see it again. This way, new people automatically discover it.
But finding the ideal supplier for our NFC cards was also a challenge, especially when you have three different suppliers, offering cards made of wood, plastic, and metal. At least initially, this cost us significantly more time than perhaps the individual card was worth.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Darius Göttert: At the beginning, we gave a lot of thought to where we wanted to take Spreadly. We then clearly decided that we wanted to grow very rapidly and become a unicorn. This includes closing a financing round in the low seven-figure range next year. We're helped by the fact that we're now part of the German Entrepreneurship Master Excellerator program, which is designed precisely for this.
From digital business cards to networking assistants
In the long term, we want to become the global market leader for digital business cards with Spreadly. We're launching in Europe now, but already have customers on every continent except Antarctica. To achieve this, we want to turn our digital business cards into the first digital networking assistant. This means we want to develop a personal CRM that helps build better long-term relationships, for example, by reminding you to schedule a phone call or lunch with contacts you haven't spoken to in months. So that even in ten years, you'll still know where you first met someone and who you can meet for lunch with if you're in another city.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Darius Göttert: For me, Munich is the Silicon Valley of Europe. The city has developed strongly as a startup hub in recent years. Munich offers us many opportunities to tap into networks and expertise. Firstly, for us as students, through the initiatives that exist here: Academy Consult, START Munich, Manage and More or the CDTM. In addition, there are accelerator programs such as the Master Accelerator, locations such as the Plant1 and startup hubs like the Munich Urban Colab for example. We also receive additional support from our universities: Flo studies at LMU, Etienne at TUM, and I at FOM. So, I believe we can overcome almost any challenge through our network.
Therefore, I feel it's important to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us—in the Munich ecosystem and beyond. Spreadly wouldn't be nearly as far along as we are today without them.
“Spreadly defines the next few years for us”
Munich Startup: Quick exit or long breath?
Darius Göttert: I don't think we'll do this until we retire. Not because we don't see the potential or because we wouldn't enjoy doing it for a very long time. But it's important to the three of us to build something, and at some point, there might come a point where we can't innovate as much anymore. Then we'll reach a peak where we'll find other exciting projects and work on new business cases. It'll be a while until then, though, and Spreadly is defining the next few years for us. But I'm pretty sure we'll exit at some point.
