Many people are familiar with screen sharing from IT support: A technician takes over the computer screen and fixes an existing problem. But that's where the difficulties begin: Do you really want to share your screen, including everything on it, with a stranger? Demo desk wants to perfect screen sharing and open it up to a whole host of other applications. We asked the Munich-based startup our seven questions.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your services!
Demodesk was founded at the end of 2017 by Alex Popp (25) and Veronika Riederle (29). We met through the CDTM in Munich – an interdisciplinary degree program offered by TUM and LMU. Alex studied electrical engineering and information technology and worked for several years as a software developer, including one year in Silicon Valley. Veronika studied business administration and mechanical engineering and most recently worked as a project manager at the strategy consultancy Bain & Company.
Demodesk is the first purely cloud-based screen-sharing platform. Instead of sharing the presenter's local screen content, we create a virtual display in the cloud that everyone can access via a link. Combined with a video and telephone conferencing system, easy integration with calendar and CRM systems, and features for automated appointment scheduling and preparation, we've created a powerful tool for digital sales and customer support over the internet.
We're also working on a conversation assistant based on speech analysis and artificial intelligence that analyzes what's said and seen in real time. This can optimize customer conversations, increase customer satisfaction, and improve the performance of sales and consulting teams.
“Demodesk is simpler, faster and more secure than competing products”
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Although more than 301,000 of all meetings are now held virtually, currently available software is unable to adequately meet these requirements. Demodesk eliminates the problems of conventional screen sharing solutions—the necessary installation on the device, firewall issues, slow and choppy transmission with suboptimal internet connections, data protection concerns due to the need to share the entire desktop, and numerous other application-specific disadvantages.
Demodesk enables high-quality screen sharing via a browser, works without installation on any device, and transfers shared content instantly and with significantly increased transfer rates. Furthermore, mouse and keyboard control can be shared with multiple participants, allowing content to be edited collaboratively.
The innovation lies in our specially developed algorithm for virtualizing displays in the cloud and transmitting them efficiently to all participants.
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Demodesk is simpler, faster, and more secure than competing products. With this claim, we set the bar very high. The complexity of the product and the interplay of the various technologies continually present us with challenges. Furthermore, we receive many customer requests for additional features and applications. Therefore, a strong focus on our target customer segment and our core competencies has been crucial to our rapid growth.
“Strong team, innovative technology and an extremely exciting market”
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
The number of our active users reached triple digits shortly after the launch of our beta version. Most of our customers are B2B SaaS companies—both in Germany and internationally. However, we are also receiving increasing numbers of inquiries from other sectors—from DAX-listed corporations to insurance companies and German SMEs. The digitalization of sales and customer service is an important topic for all industries.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
For us, Munich means home first and foremost. We're both native Munich residents, and that alone gives us a strong connection to the state capital. Through our studies at the Technical University of Munich and the CDTM, we were able to build a broad network of friends, mentors, and clients. Especially through the CDTM, we're closely connected to many other successful startups and founders. At the end of the day, most startups struggle with similar issues, so close communication helps enormously.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
We have a strong team, innovative technology, and are operating in an extremely exciting market. If we continue to have the necessary bit of luck, things are looking pretty good. 🙂
7. Isar or English Garden?
Both are wonderful! Our hotspot for the summer, however, is definitely the TU roof terrace.
