Munich Startup: What does Sneakprint do? What problem do you solve?
Kevin Zürn, Sneakprint: Sneakprint produces and sells sneakers that are individually customized to fit the wearer’s foot and needs, with the midsole manufactured using 3D printing. This means we don’t sell sneakers by size; instead, we measure, digitize, and analyze each foot in advance to model and manufacture a properly fitting midsole in “Me-Size” for the wearer. With 3D printing, we can individually adjust the hardness and shape, then produce everything in a single manufacturing process.
We are revolutionizing the current shoe industry by replacing mass production with mass personalization. It’s important to us that people wear shoes that truly fit them and that are sustainably worn for a long time. Currently, one out of every five sneakers is thrown away unworn because it’s often cheaper for existing brands to dispose of the shoe rather than return it to circulation.
Munich Startup: But that already exists, doesn’t it?
Kevin Zürn, Sneakprint: A product like ours doesn’t exist in this form yet. On today’s shoe market, there are certainly “comfort shoes” with so-called memory soles. The sole is supposed to adapt to the foot shape, but if someone has a misalignment, that can be counterproductive. A memory sole would merely entrench the misalignment without correcting it.
Of course, there are also insoles and orthopedic shoes. However, insoles often have the problem that they only fit conditionally in the shoe and often provide no support after a short period of wear. Orthopedic shoes are often not fashionable and therefore unattractive to young people. Our stylish and fashionable sneakers are optimized by an orthotist for each individual foot—that’s a real innovation.
(Photo: Ruan van Jaarsveldt)
Market readiness after three years of development
Munich Startup: What’s your founding story?
Kevin Zürn, Sneakprint: I personally need insoles and have very wide feet, which made it difficult for me to find fitting shoes. I had to buy a shoe that fit my insoles and often couldn’t find one I liked. In 2015, I was still a student and was supposed to found a fictional company for a university project. At that time, 3D printing had arrived in the shoe industry. However, it was not being used for health benefits; it was only being used as a marketing object. That’s how the idea for Sneakprint came about, because 3D printing is perfectly suited to individually customizing each shoe to the wearer’s foot. The idea never left me, but I couldn’t really pursue it at first due to other jobs.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the time finally came. I finally found the time and energy to focus intensely on the idea and found Sneakprint. After more than three years of research and development, testing, and prototypes, we’ve finally made it and reached market readiness.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Kevin Zürn, Sneakprint: The biggest challenge was finding the right shoe construction as well as the material, an appropriate printing technique, and a structure for the midsole. We also developed a workflow that automatically generates the individual grid structure. That was a major challenge, but we managed it. After countless tests, setbacks, and investments, we finally developed the perfect material in combination with the printing technique, structure, and shape. Many partners were involved, and intensive consultations and collaborations were necessary. Another challenge was developing a functioning impression kit/digitization solution for our customers’ feet. There are many smartphone scan options to digitize your feet via photo. However, many of these weren’t precise enough, so for now we’ve opted for our functional manual solution. In the long term, this will be replaced by a digital scanning solution.
Sneakprint wants to promote conscious shopping behavior
Munich Startup: Where do you want to be in a year, where in five years?
Kevin Zürn, Sneakprint: Our goal is to be an established brand for properly fitting “Me-Size” sneakers within a year. We want to gain awareness in the DACH countries and already make our first customers happy. In five years, we want to supply all of Europe with our sneakers. We’re working on our own production line, which is a realistic target for five years.
In the long term, we want Sneakprint to promote conscious shopping behavior in our customers through our sustainable and personalized products. We don’t want mass production manufactured for the landfill; instead, we want to convince through high quality, individual fit, and design sustainability. A B2B solution for industry is also in the planning stages.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Kevin Zürn, Sneakprint: Munich has countless programs and funding opportunities for startups. We ourselves had the opportunity to support our development through the innovation voucher, Wipano, or the digital bonus. That helped us a lot because as a self-funded startup, our resources are limited. However, it takes a lot of time to find the right funding program for you, as there are really countless options. Additionally, there are lots of events and networking programs where you can present and showcase your project to the public. Therefore, I would call Munich an ideal startup location.
Munich Startup: Public transport or bike?
Kevin Zürn, Sneakprint: Fortunately, my office is close to my apartment, so I can take a walk in my innovative custom sneakers every day. Around the city, I mostly use public transportation, and I can see many positive changes at the MVG that have taken place in recent years: from simplifying the zone system to more attractive prices for the Deutschland ticket. Since parking in the city is almost impossible anyway, public transport and our sneakers are the perfect combination for getting around Munich.
