All data in one place: DBI Analytics develops its cloud analysis platform ABIS and is currently being Media Lab Bayern We asked the people behind the startup our 7 questions.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
David Patrick Chang: During my studies at the Munich University of Applied Sciences, I DBI founded in May 2014 following a successful digital project with E.ON Solar. Since then, the business model has changed quite a bit. In the summer of 2016, I met my co-founder Daniel Janz at a meetup. Since then, we have been working together on the development of the collaborative cloud analytics software ABIS.
Daniel Janz brings a technical background as a software developer, while I helped develop the business concept and data architecture. In fall 2017, Christopher Matt (Head of Design and Communications) joined us as a front-end developer and played a key role in the design of our ABIS product. Since summer 2018, Maximilian Anzile, together with his social media agency, has been supporting the DBI team in PR as an external partner.
Maximilian AnzileABIS provides companies with an analytics toolkit for digitalization. In the wake of smart data and artificial intelligence, companies are increasingly challenged to master data and information management. This is the only way German medium-sized companies can maintain their competitive advantage in the long term. With the ABIS cloud analytics platform, the ABIS team primarily supports SMEs in building comprehensive data analysis structures.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
David Chang: Unlike American providers like Domo, Microsoft Power BI, or Google Data Studio, we offer a German solution alongside SAP Analytics Cloud. The Chinese company Talkingdata is now also in the thick of the AI and Big Data race.
Unlike other providers, ABIS consolidates internal team communication around data, enabling seamless integration with existing processes. Furthermore, with ABIS, we rely on a decentralized and federated data architecture, meaning each user decides where their data should be stored. With ABIS, the company is much more flexible in designing new digital solutions. Even complex processes can be analyzed and managed in real time over the long term using ABIS. ABIS is built entirely on open source components and is intended to establish itself as a platform for analyzing and managing the company.
Larger investment planned
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Daniel Janz: The biggest challenge was getting a universally applicable software architecture off the ground. After almost three years of development, we managed to achieve this. Along the way, we faced many hardships, as we had financed everything ourselves. Fortunately, friends and relatives supported us very actively, even if it wasn't always easy for them to understand what we were actually doing.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
David Chang: Since 2014, we have generated revenues in the higher six-figure range through consulting and services. Naturally, most of this was invested in the development of the ABIS cloud platform.
In spring 2018, we were able to bring a partner company on board to work with us on a social media reporting solution for agencies.
In the fall of 2018, I was able to convince the world's largest tech VC from New York of ABIS. We want to further prove our product by the end of the year and then plan to take on a larger investment for growth.
In January 2019, we won a competition for the Media Lab Bayern. With its help, we are now launching ABIS.
“Small and medium-sized businesses demand innovative solutions”
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Christopher Matt: Munich is a city of poets and thinkers, and also a very interesting location for startups in the fields of big data and artificial intelligence. Many internationally active technology companies have their European headquarters in Munich. Thanks to Media Lab Bayern, we have a beautiful office in the Werksviertel.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
David Chang: The market for smart data and AI is still relatively young, and the potential for new solutions is far from exhausted. Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, are demanding innovative solutions and concepts to accelerate digitalization. We believe that with ABIS, we have created precisely this solution. In the long term, we plan to open-source parts of our software so that companies in all industries can benefit from what we have already achieved.
7. Fish on a stick or pork knuckle?
Daniel Janz: A wheat beer naturally requires pork knuckle! Our team is convinced of this.
