With its IoT platform, Munich-based startup Juconn aims to simplify entry into Industry 4.0 for business customers and provide companies with smart data about their processes. The platform can add any number of sensors and companies, regardless of location, to the web application via plug-and-play. An interview with co-founder and CEO Sven Dunker.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
The Juconn GmbH is a young startup that was founded by Minnt GmbH and Thinkmore AG. Our Internet of Things (IoT) platform allows our customers to implement their own IoT solutions easily, quickly, and cost-effectively, unlike any other platform on the market. Due to our uniqueness, we have already been invited to the Vodafone and Cisco partner programs and are in discussions with numerous industrial companies.
The core team behind Juconn consists of a complementary mix of experienced developers, serial entrepreneurs, and sales and marketing professionals. This includes Markus Reichenberger (co-founder of NEU.de) and Achim Bäuerle (founder and CEO of Comtech and Freenet). I myself have over 20 years of experience as a manager and managing director in international IT companies and have successfully founded smaller companies.
IoT within 1 week – no matter which sensor
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Of course, there are also IoT platforms for the B2B segment. But Juconn Solutions is the only platform that can truly handle all sensors, all languages, and all protocols. And no one in the industry is as fast and agile in implementation as we are. Our innovative cost model further reduces the barriers to entry, thus enabling a low-risk and significantly faster transition to an 'Industry 4.0' company.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
In addition to the technological quality of our solution, we actually have several real advantages over our small and large competitors: First, we can truly process data from all sensors, regardless of what the customer may already have installed in their machines. We also offer customized data visualization.
Second: Our speed. Our competition requires ten to twelve weeks to implement a pilot. We need less than a week.
Third: The costs. A pilot project with us costs very little, and in some cases, it's even free. This lowers the barrier for interested customers, while competitors charge mid-five-figure costs.
Market-ready product is tested on major customers
We also focus on joint ventures. We actively enter vertical markets together with specialists from these markets, bringing our platform as an asset to the newly founded companies. This creates highly exciting growth opportunities, and we are continuously seeking partners, both startups and established companies.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
As a startup, we're still very young. But thanks to the previous development at Minnt GmbH, the product is completely market-ready, which is why we've been able to do a lot of preparatory work in customer discussions. We're proud to have already negotiated pilot projects with eight companies – most of them global market leaders – and to have signed the first customer contract with the connection of the first 50 factories.
Additionally, the first joint venture will be established in the second quarter, and two more are already under discussion. Together with Cisco, Vodafone, and other partners, we are planning an IoT roadshow for SMEs in four major cities and expect up to 300 IoT-interested companies to attend. We are very optimistic about the long-term success of our startup.
Munich is a power center of industrial IoT
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Germany is perhaps the most attractive market in the world for industrial IoT. And within Germany, Munich, with its industrial companies, is certainly a powerhouse. This puts us closer to our customers and allows us to implement projects even faster.
Munich has also experienced tremendous growth in recent years in terms of company formation and has become a true hub for startups—alongside Berlin (where the focus is more on consumer startups). However, compared to Berlin, Munich certainly offers a much higher quality of life, especially in (limited) leisure time.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Of course, we're planning for a unicorn! But seriously—there are key factors that actually point to substantial success:
1 – Leading consulting firms estimate the total IoT market to be an incredible $1,453,000 trillion by 2025. And we want a piece of that.
2 – Our growth: Our technological edge will help us, in the first step, to acquire customers as quickly as possible to demonstrate the benefits and return on investment of IoT solutions. In the second step, customers will then be ready to purchase pure licenses in a true SaaS model, allowing us to scale even faster.
3 – Our team complements each other extremely well, boasts exceptionally brilliant expertise, an extensive network, a wealth of experience, and drive. A good team contributes significantly to the success of a startup.
7. Either...or question! Pork knuckle or fish on a stick?
I prefer grilled fish, it’s healthier and tastier.
