7 questions — 7 answers! This time the team from FLSK Questions and answers.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
We are Quentin Pratley (25) – industrial engineer and Patrick Bohrer (28) – business economist. We originally met through a mutual circle of friends in Munich. Our passion for sustainable solutions quickly solidified the idea of working together. FLSK combines our requirements for the perfect product: Quentin demands uncompromising functionality, and Patrick sets the standard for sophisticated, modern design. The result is the ultimate drinking bottle: Thanks to the unique VICC® technology we developed, it keeps drinks ice-cold for over 24 hours and hot for over 18 hours. Furthermore, it is made of 100% Type 304 stainless steel, which is considered the highest quality and most sustainable stainless steel. The narrow spout and the perfectly fitting lid make the FLSK drinking bottle leak-proof and completely airtight. The thermos flask is particularly suitable for carbonated drinks, as it is also carbon dioxide-resistant and taste-neutral. Last but not least, it is completely BPA-free and sustainably produced. This – and its puristic, clean style – makes it the original of its kind!
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Of course, we didn't invent the bottle. Drinking bottles have existed and always will. Since time immemorial, humans have relied on filling liquids – be they beverages, oils, or medicines – for storage, transport, or consumption on the go. Even the thermos flask existed 100 years ago. What's important is that we've now combined the functions of both bottles – drinking bottles and thermos flasks – optimized them, and enhanced them with a sophisticated design.
We believe that women in particular have been severely neglected in the drinking and thermal bottle segment. Until now, the only option was the outdated stainless steel thermos, which was neither visually nor functionally appealing. Heavy, leaky, and unsightly – after taking it out once a year for skiing, it quickly disappears back into the basement. Our solution is the "FLSK." It's lightweight, stylish, and fits in and with any handbag. It's 100% leak-proof and keeps any drink at the desired temperature without worry.
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Continuity. In a startup, almost every situation is new and exciting. This quickly leads to hecticness and chaos, and you make many mistakes. The key is to learn from them and grow from all experiences. It's extremely important to quickly create a basis for decision-making based on these experiences and define a concrete path forward. We've been lacking this uncompromising focus until now, but it seems to be increasingly present.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Things are going well at FLSK! Since the beginning of the year, we've been able to double our sales every month. Our best month so far has been August. We've been able to strengthen our position through special marketing campaigns and have secured two major partners, including Air Berlin and VOGUE.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich is a startup paradise. We're located here in the Westend industrial estate, and everything we need is within easy reach—high-quality printing companies, creative agencies, photo studios, and tinkerers everywhere. Anyone who doesn't feel the entrepreneurial spirit here is doing something wrong. Personally, Munich is our home, even if we don't all come from Munich. We can all get to work in 15 minutes, but we can also get to a beautiful park, the Isar River, or the lake just as quickly. The leisure activities—which, of course, aren't available as an entrepreneur during the startup phase—are limitless. In summary: a perfect location for people and businesses.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
We're not even thinking about unicorns or failure. What's important to us is that we'll still be around in ten years and that we can continue to impress with innovative products. The FLSK water bottle is the core of our business, and a lot more will be created around it. We always tell ourselves: it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
7. Valentin Stüberl or Bob Beaman?
Bob Beaman – Electro and hip hop nights!
