7 questions — 7 answers! This time, the Oilfox team answered our questions.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
We are OilFox, a smart level gauge for heating oil tanks. Our founder Markus had the idea of developing the OilFox to keep track of both the fill level and the current purchase prices—combining all of this with intelligence and making it easily controllable from a smartphone.
Our team currently consists of six people who do absolutely everything on the product—even the hardware. At the beginning of our project, we tried to have our product built by partners because they "know what they're doing." Most of them do, but we couldn't find anyone who met our ambitious timeframe. Product development processes lasting seven years, prototype development taking over a year. As a startup, you simply can't afford that.
So we quickly agreed: This had to be done faster! So we quickly decided to make the prototypes ourselves. We bought a 3D printer (and then another one), soldered the first prototype with friends, and then, luckily, later found "real" hardware developers for our team. Today, we're just about ready (touch wood) to release our Fox.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Yes, there are level gauges, but most of them are analog, and none of them are truly smart – they simply indicate the fill level. And they usually do so in the basement. With the OilFox, we are actually the first to develop and implement services related to heating oil tanks and oil ordering. And all of this from the comfort of your couch or on the go.
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
To achieve a high pace, iterative market tests and last but not least The odd bureaucratic hurdle was also the biggest challenge. We repeatedly encountered issues with insurance, import restrictions on components, and many other little things that kept us busy.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Ask us again after the launch 🙂 But we had to stop our first user test (a pre-order campaign) after three weeks due to the immense demand. We consider that a good sign.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
We've found some partners here who have helped us time and again, especially during the prototype phase – and where the proximity simply made things easier. And: Munich is just a lot of fun. Almost all of us are "immigrants" and simply love the location.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
So we'd be up for both in a heartbeat! 😉
7. Cycling or convertible?
Boschetsrieder Straße is always busy, so of course, you should cycle! Enjoy cycling past the traffic jams, with the foehn wind at your back and the sun on your face!
