Seven questions, seven answers. Munich Startup in conversation with Johannes, Christoph, Moni, and Oliver from TankTaler.
- Who are you? Please introduce yourselves briefly!
The founders behind ThinxNet/TankTaler are Johannes Martens, Christoph Geiser, Moni Malek, and Oliver Götz. It all started with Moni and Christoph, who both studied electrical engineering. They met as colleagues in their professional lives before deciding to found another company. When they decided to sell it, they didn't know that the buyers would be their future colleagues, Oliver and Johannes. While Oliver had studied medical informatics, Johannes came from a background in computer science and technology management. Together, they recognized the potential of technology and decided to found ThinxNetHowever, ThinxNet would be nothing without our motivated team. We are very fortunate to have found such a dynamic and complementary team constellation.
2. What product do you want to use to change the world?
TankTaler consists of a hardware connector for cars and a smartphone app. Using TankTaler, users can connect to their car and access information on their phone. They can view statistics on vehicle usage or battery voltage, for example. In addition to this data, users collect TankTaler points and save 2 cents per liter on fuel. These bonus points, collected through trips or participation in special promotions from partner companies, can be redeemed for rewards. It offers users both a fun factor and a financial advantage. The long-term goal is to create a completely new mobility experience in the connected car sector and to make vehicles intelligent. In the future, users will only have to deal with information that is of interest to them at the right time and in the right place, while TankTaler takes care of the rest. Workshop visits, breakdown assistance, paying at the gas station, purchasing parking tickets, or maintaining an electronic logbook – things that are annoying but necessary – can be handled automatically.
3. But that's been around for a long time!
In 10 years, all cars will be connected to the internet—but we're already making it possible. Major automakers are working on various connected car services, but we differ significantly in our approach. Just a few of our unique selling points are that we can offer our product free of charge and that it works across all manufacturers, with vehicles built since 1999. Our bonus system makes TankTaler even more fun for users. We distinguish ourselves by covering the entire vehicle usage cycle and by having a very large community with influence on the market and the environment. We want to enable digital business models for all partners in the automotive sector.
4. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
Passion for the idea, a positive team, and reliable IT. A great idea requires a lot of perseverance and a clear goal. For many industry participants, our innovation is multifaceted, complex, and full of possibilities. Therefore, we must always focus on the essential goals. It's particularly difficult for us to express exactly what we do in one sentence.
5. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Things are exciting. Our user base is growing by 401,145,000 per month, and we're expecting a lot more over the year. Of our users, 371,145,000 are active in the app at least once a day, and even 781,145,000 are active weekly. This simply shows us that we've developed an application that people really want and that users enjoy. We were at the Munich Auto Days and met "fans" there who came to the show specifically to see us. We're also receiving a lot of applications. This is good feedback, and we can see that many people are keen to get involved in this project!
6. What does Munich mean to you?
Home. Our founders either grew up in Munich or have spent a large part of their lives here. Our roots are here. When the weather is good, you can sometimes find us on the Isar River during our lunch break. We also quite like Bavarian customs. The topic of connected cars is still in its infancy; we Germans can sometimes be a bit stubborn when it comes to digitalization. The Bavarians and the people of Munich in particular are a bit more conservative. If we can make it in Munich, we can make it all over Germany. But Munich is no longer a sleepy little town. A positive dynamic is developing here; the region is economically strong. And our startup can communicate very well with industry giants here, as we have all the major companies here.
7. Bavaria or '60?
Today, a colleague pulled the plastic wrap off the cigarette pack and placed the transparent, empty wrapper upside down on the table. When asked rhetorically what it was supposed to represent, he replied with the dry statement, "The trophy cabinet from 1860." I think that answers the question.
