Munich Startup: What motivated you to start the company?
Christina Mauer: It was always clear to me that I wanted to start my own company. But I didn't just want to start a business for the sake of starting a business. I wanted to solve a real problem.
During my doctoral studies, I researched the theoretical inefficiencies in real estate valuation. Afterwards, I worked for several years as a portfolio manager and experienced the problems firsthand: valuation processes that take weeks, tedious manual work on all sides, a lack of transparency, and no digital integration. It was frustrating.
The crucial factor was market timing. The real estate industry is one of the most conservative sectors. But with the Pandemie, a much greater openness to digital solutions suddenly emerged. New systems entered the market, and seamless data transfers became possible. At that moment, I knew: now is the right time. I know the problem from practical experience; the industry is finally ready for change, and the technical infrastructure exists to truly make a difference.
Founding: A rollercoaster ride
Munich Startup: What would you have liked to have known before starting your first business?
Christina Mauer: That starting a business is truly a rollercoaster ride. And I mean that quite literally. You read it everywhere, you hear it from other founders, but you only really understand it when you experience it yourself.
What I wish I'd known beforehand: After every valley comes a climb. It sounds banal, but when you're stuck in the middle of a valley, it sometimes doesn't feel that way. Perseverance is the most important thing.
I wish I'd had this mental strength and confidence from the start. But perhaps it's something you can only learn through experience.
Munich Startup: How has your company been financed so far?
Christina Mauer: We started with the EXIST start-up grant, which I can truly recommend to everyone. It not only provided us with financial security, but also gave us access to an important network and valuable coaching.
After that, we received some funding and also won awards, which was an important validation for us as a young company. By then, we had already two funding rounds, a pre-seed and a seed round, with a strong mix of VCs and business angels who bring us not only capital, but also valuable expertise and networks.
Strategic team sessions as a catalyst
Munich Startup: When and where do you get the best ideas?
Christina Mauer: Actually, it usually happens when I'm preoccupied with completely different things. On vacation, for example, when my mind is clear and I'm away from the daily grind. It's often in those moments that the best and clearest thoughts come.
But what also acts as a real catalyst are our strategic team sessions. When different perspectives and viewpoints collide and we discuss things together, the most exciting ideas often emerge. This mix of diverse expertise and ways of thinking truly moves us forward.
Munich Startup: What are your 3 favorite work tools?
Christina Mauer: Notion, Claude, dictation function
Munich Startup: Your top tip on pitching?
Christina Mauer: Quite simply: an emotional story, and truly conveying that emotion. Bring energy!
Based on my own practical experience, I was able to convey, for example at the Pain Point, how incredibly manual the evaluation processes are in a very emotional way, and how frustrating that is in everyday practice. And I think that resonated with everyone.
We humans are always driven by emotions; that's just how we're wired. Numbers and facts are important, but what truly convinces and engages people is the emotional connection to the story. If you're passionate about what you do and convey that authentically, your audience will sense it too.
Munich Startup: Does this seem like a good time to start a business? Why?
Christina Mauer: There is no perfect time. If you are solving a real, current problem, the market is large enough, and the barriers to entry are low, then you should always start a business.
Of course, one can worry about the current economic situation, the challenging funding environment, or uncertainties. But at the end of the day, what matters is: Is there a real problem that needs solving? Are there customers who would pay for it? If the answer is yes, then now is the right time.
Those who wait for the perfect conditions will wait forever. The best companies often emerge precisely in challenging times, because that's when the pressure is on to work truly efficiently and smartly.
Munich Startup: Which technology or industry would you focus on for your next startup?
Christina Mauer: Definitely in the area of future technologies like humanoid robots or AI. These technologies have the potential to transform entire industries and fundamentally change the way we work and live.
The specific industry is actually irrelevant to me. What's far more important is that the technology solves a real problem and has a measurable impact. Just like with Einwert, I'm less concerned with the industry itself and more interested in using innovative technology to solve real problems and create added value.
"Munich could use more visibility compared to Berlin."
Munich Startup: In your opinion, what could be improved at the Munich startup location?
Christina Mauer: The availability of talent and the price level are definitely challenges. Munich is expensive, both in terms of office space and living costs. This makes it more difficult to attract top talent, especially compared to other locations.
Furthermore, Munich could benefit from greater visibility compared to Berlin. Berlin is often automatically perceived as the German startup hub, but Munich boasts an incredibly strong technology and innovation landscape, excellent universities, and a fantastic ecosystem. These strengths could be communicated more effectively to better position Munich as a startup location.
Munich Startup: Which founder would you like to meet in person? And what would you ask them?
Christina Mauer: I would love to meet Whitney Wolfe Herd or Melanie Perkins. Both have built their companies from the ground up to multi-billion-dollar valuations and have grown alongside their companies as founders.
My question to them would be: How did you manage to evolve alongside the company? How did you grow through the different phases of the business? From the founder doing everything herself to the CEO leading a large team and making strategic decisions. This is one of the biggest challenges for founders, and I'd like to understand how they mastered this path.
