Whether bicycles, e-scooters, or cars, rental and sharing concepts are increasingly shaping urban mobility. Providers face the challenge of finding the right pick-up points and managing their fleets so that customers always find a free vehicle. The Munich-based startup Synertics has developed a data-driven solution for this, which founder Manuel Pessanha explains in more detail in an interview.
Munich Startup: Who are you and what do you do? Please introduce yourselves briefly!
Manuel Pessanha: Hello Munich startup scene, my name is Manuel and I would like to Synertics Using data-driven approaches, I want to drive a transition to a more sustainable mobility industry that makes sense for both investors and operators. After completing my business studies in Canada and China and my master's degree in energy management in France and England, my professional life has been shaped by consulting firms and corporations in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Mobility industry in transition
In recent years, the mobility industry has undergone significant change, with a steady stream of new business concepts emerging. However, many companies struggle to access competitive capital because many of these concepts are not yet economically viable and self-sustainable. Synertics was founded to address this.
Synertics is a mobility industry specialist that uses large data sets and financially and strategically sound approaches to create algorithms that help active operators and investors evaluate locations and deploy fleets efficiently. Synertics' digital and data-driven platform, combined with machine learning techniques, enables customers to interact with vehicles and stations on a live basis and predict their demand based on location.
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Manuel Pessanha: These methods have been used in the real estate industry in the past. When a bank opens a new branch, various characteristics such as demographics, competition, and public transportation are typically evaluated.
Machine learning in action
Synertics offers these types of analyses for the mobility industry on a different scale. We have developed a process that can automatically analyze an entire city using machine learning methods. Operators and investors thus gain a comprehensive picture of their options, enabling them to select locations with greater awareness and deploy vehicles efficiently. This leads to more economically viable activities and more positive public acceptance of these new business models.
Munich Startup: What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
Manuel Pessanha: Among other things, Synertics is driven by the following three ingredients:
- A passion for the mobility industry shared by the team.
- Strong expertise in geodata analysis.
- Active self-reflection of customers, company orientation and product development.
Munich Startup: Let’s get to the point: How are things going?
Manuel Pessanha: 2019 was a pivotal year for Synertics. We completed the first pilot projects and validated our technology. Due to the positive feedback and strong demand for such a solution, we officially founded Synertics in January 2020. We are excited about this new chapter and are thrilled to help shape the mobility industry.
Munich Startup: What does Munich mean to you?
Manuel Pessanha: Birthplace and second home. It's an incredible city with a unique quality of life and a strong connection to nature. As one of Germany's most important economic centers and home to several DAX-listed companies, Munich is an ideal place for startups and established companies to find each other.
Become a unicorn thanks to Synertics
Munich Startup: How can your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Manuel Pessanha: We operate in a rapidly changing market and are fulfilling an existing need by bringing transparency and structure to this new industry. Beyond aiming to become a unicorn ourselves, we hope to help our partners achieve that status.
Munich Startup: Isar or English Garden?
Manuel Pessanha: As Haidhausen residents, we visit the Isar River more often than the English Garden. Nevertheless, there's hardly anything as striking as the surfing wave in the Eisbach.
