Finally, order! The Munich-based startup Kwerqus designs and markets clothes rails and shelves in industrial design. The two founders, Benjamin Böhmer and Maximilian Frederic Jacob, aim to beautify rooms and shops in urban spaces with their regionally produced, simple metal and wood designs. For this, they were awarded the Munich Founders' Prize excellent.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
We are Benjamin and Maximilian von Kwerqus, and we specialize in the manufacture, design, and distribution of industrial-style furnishings. Our focus is on the combination of solid wood and metal elements.
Benjamin (26) is a business economist, and I, Maximilian (28), am an industrial engineer. We studied in South Africa at the same time and met there. We quickly discovered our shared interest and passion for entrepreneurship and formed a founding team. Both Benjamin and I had already gained experience in the startup scene.
Our product range is characterized primarily by its flexibility and individuality. We also offer our customers the option of creating a personalized design upon request. This precisely matches the customer's ideas—thus offering extensive customization options within our modular system. We will continue to expand this area across our entire product portfolio in the future.
Regional clothes rails, high-quality shelves, completely individual
Lean, mean & fast as f**k: This means that we pay incredible attention to being agile in the market and keeping our internal structures very lean. However, we always want to incorporate our values into our products: Made in Germany and high-quality products at a fair price.
2. But that has been around for a long time!
Yes, of course! But innovation isn't just about the product itself; it's spread across the entire supply chain. The original product already exists. We at Kwerqus manage to offer over 17,000 1TP1408 inks from a small number of individual parts. Naturally, we've clustered this selection a bit and summarized it in 18 products in our online shop.
The interior design market is tough and fraught with 'fuckups.' We want to define ourselves precisely and do one thing perfectly, rather than—like many others—doing a little bit of everything.
Kwerqus aims to create functional design for rooms and shops
That's why we work with the raw material almost daily to ensure the end result is as perfect as possible. Metal doesn't always remain metal, and wood doesn't always remain wood. We're constantly searching for better options, new designs, and new products for our customers. Kwerqus is intended to enhance the increasing number of one-room apartments, shared rooms, and small two-room apartments in urban areas. Through functionally adapted furnishings in a cool design combined with the statement: 'Kwerqus? Yes, simply cool.'
Not only the end customer, but also the B2B market holds further interesting potential for the future. It will be exciting to collaborate with boutiques, shops, and even the hotel industry. We have already implemented initial projects in each of these areas, but we intend to become more active in this area in the future.
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge so far was a legal dispute combined with a squeeze on liquidity. Ultimately, however, this legal battle instilled in us the aforementioned "lean, mean & fast as f**k" mentality. That's why, in retrospect, it was actually a milestone.
Another challenge was the rapid growth. It was difficult to actively manage this growth and keep it at a healthy level so that it didn't overwhelm us. Around the same time, in the summer of 2018, a heatwave hit our production and logistics facilities. Temperatures here exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in some places, making it anything but conducive to work. As a result, we experienced delays across the entire supply chain.
“Success comes by stairs, not by elevator”
Now it's time to rediscover ourselves. This, too, presents a challenge. What does Kwerqus stand for, and what statement do our products make? Precisely defining our company's DNA and setting operational goals for 2021 are incredibly important at this point in time. This is also why we will initiate this decision together with our new employees now, in the new year.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
We're generating strong sales and have established ourselves well in the market. At the same time, we want to structurally prepare ourselves for our upcoming international expansion with a solid product portfolio. There are still some challenges we need to overcome here. After all, we're bootstrapped, and in a capital-intensive business segment. Success comes by stairs, not elevators.
“Munich has a community of doing”
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich is the home and birthplace of Benjamin. At the same time, it is the adopted home of me, Maximilian. Meanwhile, especially through the Wayra CommunityWe see Munich as an ecosystem and community of creativity. Anything is possible here. You can find investors, the love of your life, hustlers, hipsters, hackers, corporates, but also a truly established startup scene.
I believe that such diversity — combined with Bavarian tradition — is unique in the world.
6. Will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
The Epic Fail Night actually sounds pretty awesome, it would almost be worth showing up there!
We're not afraid of taking risks, but we're still firmly focused on our vision. In other words: We won't play "bullshit bingo" or enter every pitch competition just to grab a headline. Instead, we focus on what's truly important to us: making our customers happy!
And if we can do this in a unique way, then many more people will hear about us.
7. Pork knuckle or fish on a stick?
Shredded roll!
