Munich Startup: What motivated you to start a company?
Barbara Prähofer: I founded my first company in school as part of a student project, and since then I’ve had the entrepreneurial spirit in me. What motivated me to co-found Exomatter is that with our groundbreaking technology, we have great leverage to strengthen the innovation power of companies, because 90 percent of all innovations are based on materials.
Small structural changes with big impact
In addition to the technology, I want to create a company at Exomatter where women and men are individually empowered. Whether with a small baby, school-age children, or other personal circumstances, everyone should have the same chance to develop at Exomatter. Through small structural changes like nursing rooms, childcare, or shared leadership, we can prevent inequality between women and men at Exomatter. And that’s one of my biggest drivers.
Munich Startup: What would you have liked to know before your first founding?
Barbara Prähofer: Not more than I already know now. Because with more knowledge, you wouldn’t try it yourself and would miss out on many opportunities.
Munich Startup: How has your company been financed so far?
Barbara Prähofer: We’ve completed the first part of the current funding round and the second part is in the final stages. But we also already have good revenue for this year.
Munich Startup: When and where do you get your best ideas?
Barbara Prähofer: When networking with other founders.
Don’t rehearse too much & translate technical terminology
Munich Startup: Your top tip on “pitching”?
Barbara Prähofer:
Tip 1: Set yourself a rough framework for what you want to say, especially for very short pitches (2-3 minutes), but don’t practice it too much or you’ll lose the sparkle and enthusiasm.
Tip 2: Especially with deep tech topics like Exomatter’s, it’s very important to translate it into a language that everyone understands. And pitch it to someone who’s not an expert in the field. If that person understands the problem and solution, then you’re good.
Munich Startup: Does it seem like a good time to found a company right now? Why?
Barbara Prähofer: Well, if you’ve found a solution to a problem, then you should found it now. No matter what the market is like. Especially for female founders, things have developed in a positive direction. There are many networking events and support. You just have to do it.
Munich Startup: What technology or industry would you bet on with your next founding?
Barbara Prähofer: Recycling, quantum computing. Or also care – although I have no idea what solution could make sense there.
Bringing established & new founders to the same table
Munich Startup: What could be improved at the Munich startup location in your view?
Barbara Prähofer: More affordable office space. Otherwise, it’s a great location for founding a company.
Munich Startup: Which founder would you like to meet in person? And what would you ask them?
Barbara Prähofer: Through the UnternehmerTUM with Xpreneurs and Techfounders, we have very good regular exchange with many founders. That’s why I don’t currently have a wish for who I’d like to meet. I would find it exciting to bring together founders of older companies like Birkenstock or family businesses with brand new founders at one table.
