Munich Startup: Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
Andreas Gschaider: Our app offers amateur soccer players training and rehabilitation programs, as well as expertise in sports nutrition. Our programs enable them to take their game to a new level of performance. And in the event of an injury, we offer special rehabilitation programs so that athletes can work on their comeback every day at home and get back on the pitch faster. We have developed all of this in close collaboration with renowned sports physicians, coaches, and physiotherapists.
The idea for this app evolved gradually. I was a passionate amateur soccer player myself for a long time and was always looking for something like this. At some point, after many discussions and considerations, I was so convinced that I gave up my job as a chief inspector. I gradually built a team and was very fortunate to come across some amazing talents and personalities. We now have ten people and today we offer the best soccer training app on the market.
Feedback from the professional sector
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Andreas Gschaider: You'd think so, but that's not the case. Today I know why. It's incredibly challenging to develop programs that help amateur soccer players improve in all areas: strength, athleticism, speed, endurance. And the rehab programs also have to be perfectly balanced. To achieve this, we worked with renowned physiotherapists and sports doctors. But the work was worth it: a few weeks ago, Apple listed us among their favorite apps in the App Store. And we also received great feedback from Jerome Polenz, who coaches Eintracht Frankfurt's U15 team with Thomas Broich. They work with the app and, like the team's athletics coach, are absolutely convinced. So the two of them are not only good TV experts for ARD, they also know a thing or two about soccer apps.
Munich Startup: What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Andreas Gschaider: I wouldn't say there's one "biggest challenge." There are always new, smaller challenges, like finding new employees and setting the right priorities, for example, in app development. Or managing your business as efficiently and effectively as possible while constantly tightening your budget, while also finding the right partners. As a founder, you're constantly confronted with new issues you've never had to deal with before. But I like challenges, and I don't think we've done that badly as a team so far.
Already over 70,000 downloads of B42
Munich Startup: How is business going?
Andreas Gschaider: We're currently very happy. The app has been downloaded over 70,000 times, and the ratings in the Apple and Google Play stores, with 4.8 out of 5 possible stars, exceed our wildest expectations. Sales are steadily increasing. And all of this is thanks to the work of just one developer and a small team. We know from a lot of feedback that our programs work, but there's still a lot to do. The next step, therefore, must be to generate reach while simultaneously expanding the app with important functionalities. We're currently looking for additional developers for this.
Munich Startup: What does Munich mean to you?
Andreas Gschaider: The majority of our team comes from Bavaria and lives in Munich. I think I can speak for the team when I say that we all appreciate this city and its quality of life. And of course, Munich is a great location for networking, finding new colleagues, and gaining inspiration for our next steps. Personally, I live in Velden in Lower Bavaria and commute to our Munich office. Living in the countryside has its advantages, but the issues I just described make it a bit more difficult. My wife, however, is from Munich, and I've never needed to be convinced of the city's advantages.
Munich Startup: How can your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Andreas Gschaider: I've always remained humble and am well aware of how many startups fail. But I also see that professional teams are now approaching us, Apple is impressed with our app, and the reviews are almost consistently excellent. Beyond that, we have a highly competent and harmonious team. And a consummate professional as an investor and advisor who knows this market like no other. There's a need for what we do. And I'm absolutely convinced that we're on the right track with B42. But we also know that we'll make mistakes and have to give it our all every day. Sure-fire successes are rare.
“Making money in the short term was never my motivation”
Munich Startup: Quick exit or long breath?
Andreas Gschaider: Definitely staying power. We work at B42 because of our passion for football. It's about building something long-term and sustainable, not about quickly launching something to then make a quick buck. That was never my motivation. I want us to improve amateur football—both from a sporting and training perspective, and we're also aware of the enormous social significance of football. We want to strengthen football as a social force, for example, by taking a clear stance against racism.
