Munich Startup: What career path have you taken so far?
Julia Seiss, founder of Jambo and managing director at Testando: I left secondary school after 9th grade to train as a hotel manager. After my training in Hamburg, I worked for several years in France, China, and the Netherlands before returning to Munich and working at, among other places, the Paulaner Brewery Group. While working, I completed my university entrance qualification, a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and finally completed my doctorate at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland until 2021. 2024 was an exciting year for me because I founded Jambo and took on the managing director position at Testando.
Inclusive workplace for seniors
Munich Startup: What motivated you to start a company?
Julia Seiss: In recent years, I have repeatedly seen in my surroundings how much poverty in old age and loneliness are underestimated. Especially in a city like Munich, where living is expensive and social networks often become fragile, many older people feel left behind – emotionally and financially. With Jambo, I want to address exactly this. Our mission is to provide seniors with an inclusive workplace where they can not only supplement their pensions but also become part of a community that brings them appreciation and joy. Through the handmade, sustainable fashion they sew, we promote not only conscious consumer behavior but also dialogue between generations.
My managing director position at companies like Testando has additionally inspired me. There I see daily how companies “function” and what challenges – but also opportunities – founding a company brings, which also includes combining social responsibility with business activity.
Munich Startup: What would you have liked to know before your first founding?
Julia Seiss: That many things often take longer than planned and uncertainties are completely normal. You learn to handle these challenges and grow through them. Especially in the textile industry, networking and public relations work differently than in the areas where I’m well-versed. It would have been helpful to better understand these differences from the start.
Munich Startup: How has your company been financed so far?
Julia Seiss: Jambo has been financed through equity so far. Additionally, collaborations and local support help us develop the project further. We are particularly proud to be part of the Munich Impact Incubator. This wonderful initiative from the city of Munich not only provides us with funding but also networking and resources that strongly support us.
Change of perspective for new ideas
Munich Startup: When and where do you get your best ideas?
Julia Seiss: My best ideas usually come when I’m in nature or traveling. A change of perspective gives me new impulses and boosts my creativity. This is also how the idea for Jambo came about. I also find exchange with others extremely important.
Munich Startup: What are your 3 favorite work tools?
Julia Seiss: Canva is a must because I can work really creatively with it. I also like to use various AI tools to create social media posts, develop ideas, or write texts. And then of course there’s our great backend at Testando, which our owners programmed themselves and perfected over the years, so we can provide our customers with quick and competent mystery checks.
Munich Startup: Your top tip on the topic of “pitching”?
Julia Seiss: Put the passion and added value of the project at the center. An authentic example makes the pitch more tangible and sparks interest. It’s important to stay true to yourself, because that conveys credibility.
“Sustainability and social responsibility are becoming more important”
Munich Startup: Does it seem like a good time to found a company right now? Why?
Julia Seiss: Yes, definitely! Sustainability and social responsibility are becoming increasingly important, and there is growing support for projects that create real value. Additionally, the need for fairly paid jobs in major cities like Munich is enormous – we see an opportunity here to provide people with financial stability through employment. Moreover, a rethinking is taking place in the textile industry among many people: fast fashion is yesterday’s news.
Munich Startup: What technology or industry would you focus on for your next founding?
Julia Seiss: Digital education or integration solutions. Especially for older people, there is still a lot of potential for user-friendly tools that make it easier for them to access the digital world.
Munich Startup: What could be improved at the startup location Munich in your view?
Julia Seiss: It would be helpful if the local press paid more attention to social enterprises. Jambo is often seen as a profit-oriented company, but our primary goal is to contribute to an inclusive society. I continue to draw my main income from my “main job” and see Jambo as an opportunity to do something for society. On the other hand, I think it’s great that the city of Munich supports founders with many programs, such as the Munich Impact Incubator!
Munich Startup: Which founder would you like to meet in person? And what would you ask them?
Julia Seiss: I have met so many inspiring founders in recent months through networks and events that it’s hard to say how one could top that. The first question I almost always ask is: How did you come up with your idea? Many of these founders impress me with their creativity and their ability to forge new paths.
