Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Serotonin: Chronic stress and its consequences are no longer a marginal issue. Sleep disorders, digestive problems, circulatory problems, and exhaustion are part of everyday life for millions of people, whether at work or at home. Seroton guides people back to balance. Our smart audio-haptic technology for holistic regeneration, where meditation meets massage, synchronizes soothing audio content with gentle touch. In just a few minutes, a multisensory experience is created that effortlessly calms body and mind and stops the carousel of thoughts. This brings the deep relaxation of a wellness area into your own four walls.
“Our technology creates a completely new recreation format”
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Serotonin: "So you make massage chairs and a meditation app?" Yes. And no. One user described it perfectly: "It's like meditation 2.0, a massage for the soul." Seroton is neither traditional pressure massage nor conventional meditation. Our technology creates a completely new relaxation format: immediately effective, intuitively usable, deeply relaxing. You hear guided exercises or nature sounds – and simultaneously feel them through finely tuned touches on your body. It feels like a reset button for body and mind.
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Serotonin: The idea for Seroton was born as part of an innovation project at the Digital Product School in Munich. Our founders – Markus Schwarz, Nastasia Gläser, Nico Vogler, and Christoph Emmert – knew the symptoms of stress all too well. Issues like sleep problems and burnout were becoming increasingly prevalent in their environment. Two things converged at the right time: a growing societal need for effective solutions to stress, and access to a high-quality, mature technology from the automotive sector, originally developed for seat comfort systems. From this combination emerged the vision of creating a technology-supported solution suitable for everyday use that helps people reduce stress and promotes mental health. Scientifically sound, user-centric, and free of clichés.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Serotonin: Launching a product that you have to feel to understand was (and still is) a huge challenge. Words, images, and videos pique interest. Anyone who experiences Seroton immediately feels the difference, and the vast majority are not just convinced, but enthusiastic. Added to this is the technological complexity: We combine hardware and software, synchronize audio and haptic feedback, and have invested countless hours perfecting the experience. The goal: maximum impact, with absolutely no barriers.
Goal: Established brand for smart relaxation
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Serotonin: In one year, we want to have built a strong early adopter community and help thousands of people relax better. In five years, Seroton will be established as a brand for smart relaxation – in living rooms, gyms, rehabilitation clinics, and offices across Europe.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Serotonin: Munich offers a lot of potential and great talent, especially for healthtech, hardware and Impact-Startups. We have a strong network here and see Munich as a great starting point with great appeal.
Munich Startup: Hidden champion or shooting star?
Serotonin: We're not interested in quick hype, but in a lasting impact on one of the greatest challenges of our time: chronic stress. Our goal is to help people in their everyday lives in a tangible and straightforward way. Because we want to make this experience accessible to as many people as possible, it's not enough to remain a hidden champion. That's why we strive for shooting-star status, but without unnecessary stress. Our motto: Give your mind a hug.
