The VR fitness startup Icaros has outgrown its office in the university district. The founders are also moving to Silicon Valley with their German Accelerator. We visited the Munich-based company at their new premises in Martinsried and got an update.
The hype surrounding Icaros continues unabated: At what seems like every other tech event, one of the VR fitness machines can be found—often provided by another company hoping to capture the attention of attendees. And with success: Crowds of people and long lines reliably form in front of the fitness machines.
Last summer we were able to test Icaros in peace in our Schwabing office (here the portrait) and were immediately enthusiastic:
"Everything seems coherent and robust. The design is appealing, the VR experience is impressive and fun. But above all, the flight is really strenuous. You feel like you're doing something for your fitness. In short: The product simply seems to justify the hype."
Since then, a lot has happened at the young company, as co-founders Johannes Scholl during a visit to the new office in Martinsried. Until about two weeks ago, Icaros was still located in Munich's Schellingstraße at the innovation agency Hyve, from which the startup emerged. However, the space for the startup, which now has 15 employees, has become too small. Johannes Scholl looks back on his time at Hyve positively:
"Hyve was the perfect incubator for us. They provided us with space and their infrastructure, and we were able to interact with colleagues and get to know their customers. We've now outgrown the office, but we're still closely connected to Hyve."
Lots of space in Martinsried
The rapidly growing hardware startup now needs more space. Hyve's prime downtown location also became a problem: There's no freight elevator to quickly transport the massive professional fitness equipment from the office to trade fairs, and trucks can't easily park on the busy Schellingstrasse.
The new office just outside Munich, on the other hand, offers all the advantages of an industrial park and, on top of that, plenty of room for further growth. It's essentially a large showroom with workstations. The startup proudly presents previous Icaros models and current prototypes there. There's also some exercise equipment available for a group workout after work. Fitness is part of the company's DNA.
Impressions from the new Icaros office:
The "Icaros Pro," as the gym-compatible device is now called, offers an underwater world in addition to the flight simulator. The five-person software department is already working on additional scenarios. A multiplayer mode has also been implemented. A home version, already hinted at last summer, is still in the planning stages, as are new devices and projects. The founders are still brimming with ideas.
Icaros goes West
In addition to its core German-speaking markets, Japan has emerged as an interesting market for the startup. The Munich-based company is also expanding into Korea and has already been seen at a sports trade fair in Seoul.
The leap into the American market could soon be successful: Icaros has been included in the German Accelerator. Next weekend, they'll be heading to Silicon Valley for three months. The two founders will travel to California together and then alternate there. Johannes Scholl explains the exact plans:
"We want to use the German Accelerator primarily for networking in Silicon Valley, getting to know people, and starting to build a sales force in the US. Potential investments are also a topic, but they're not the main focus."
We'd be surprised if Icaros met with less interest across the pond than it does here. The startup is certainly prepared: A whole container load of Icaros Pro is already waiting for the founders in the US.
