Munich Startup: What does Smartaxxess do? What problem does it solve?
Ruth Schöllhammer, co-founder and CMO at Smartaxxess: Our startup accompanies and finances founders We offer a comprehensive ecosystem that supports them from planning and financing to the successful establishment of their business. We provide access to relevant partners such as consultants, tax firms, insurers, and lenders and support them in implementing their business ideas.
Smartaxxess: Financing without a bank meeting
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Ruth Schöllhammer: Not quite: this applies to individual elements such as planning, insurance, or credit. There are already various specialized platforms for this. Smartaxxess goes a step further. For one thing, we offer things that aren't otherwise available on the market: our own qualitative rating, for example. Or financing without a bank meeting.
The real and biggest difference, however, is that Smartaxxess is a complete and comprehensive ecosystem. It offers not only access to financing and partners, but also a forecast of the business concept's probability of success and seamless business management. All online, all with a central digital file—and supported by consultants.
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Ruth Schöllhammer: The founding story of Smartaxxess emerged from the collaboration between Kai Flehmig-Pichlmaier, Mark Tom Pösken, and me. As former corporate executives, we joined forces to support young medium-sized businesses in Germany. Through discussions within the German Founders Association, we were able to identify obstacles facing founders. We then set about developing solutions for them, and from this, the Smartaxxess Group was born.
Open to innovation?
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Ruth Schöllhammer: This was certainly about finding the right people who are open to innovation and willing to implement it. It was crucial to find partners from various sectors, such as insurance, banking, and consulting, and convince them of the benefits of the digital platform economy.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Ruth Schöllhammer: We launched at the end of 2023 and are currently in the market launch phase. We aim to finance and support 300 founders through our platform within one year. In five years, we want to be the market leader for financing, consulting, and supporting young companies in Germany.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Ruth Schöllhammer: Munich offers a fantastic environment for startups, especially in the academic sector. There are numerous support and funding opportunities, as well as information centers for founders. However, even in Munich, as elsewhere, there is a lack of concrete support in areas such as financing, funding, and the implementation of startup projects. The processing time for funding applications and the costs of real estate and staff are also issues.
Manage important assets within the company yourself
Munich Startup: Outsource or do it yourself?
Ruth Schöllhammer: Both. Important assets should be managed within the company itself, be it software development, sales, partner onboarding, or support. However, you should bring competent partners on board for this. This also contributes to your own security.
