Munich Startup: What problem do you solve?
Leonie Neisinger, founder of Ivyclip: Traditional hair claws pinch, break easily, and are uncomfortable when worn for long periods or when leaning back. Ivyclip solves this exact problem: the material is flexible, bendable, and always bounces back into its original shape. You can literally bend the clip without it breaking or losing its shape. In other words, we changed the most fundamental characteristic of the traditional hair claw – its rigidity. And that’s precisely where the comfort that Ivyclip stands for comes from.
Munich Startup: What can only you do as of today?
Leonie Neisinger: We developed a hair claw that is flexible, adapts to the shape of your head, and still provides enough tension and hold for different hair types. It is precisely this combination of flexibility, hold, and dimensional stability that sets Ivyclip apart from traditional rigid hair claws.
Ivyclip launched as a direct-to-consumer brand with its own online store. In less than a year, we are selling Ivyclip nationwide across Germany in all dm stores and at hair salons. That shows us that Ivyclip not only works online, but also in the brick-and-mortar mass market.
Munich Startup: What prompted you to start the company?
Leonie Neisinger: The catalyst for founding the company was a very specific everyday problem: after the birth of our daughter, I noticed every day while breastfeeding that hair claws were pressing uncomfortably into the back of my head and bothering me. Because I couldn’t find anything suitable on the market, I started working on a hair claw that adapts to the shape of the head instead of pressing rigidly against it. After many material tests and prototypes, Ivyclip was finally born: a flexible and comfortable hair claw.
250 samples and missed Christmas business
Munich Startup: Was there a moment when you thought about giving up?
Leonie Neisinger: There were definitely many challenges. The first prototype from the 3D printer was way too soft. The first 250 samples were unsatisfactory. The first delivery didn’t arrive in time for the Christmas shopping season. It was a long road with many setbacks until I was genuinely satisfied with the final product. But I have never seriously considered giving up—on the contrary: the problem with hard and uncomfortable hair claws doesn’t just exist in Germany. And that keeps me motivated.
Munich Startup: How would you know in a year that you are on the right track?
Leonie Neisinger: I still read all customer feedback and want us to keep developing Ivyclip with additional shapes and sizes. My vision is for Ivyclip to redefine the hair clip category and make comfortable hair clips the standard. More specifically, in a year’s time, I would say: if we make the leap into European markets and gain a foothold in international retail.
Founding in Munich – with the Isar as a photo studio
Munich Startup: Would you found a company in Munich again, and why?
Leonie Neisinger: As a Berliner who moved down here a few months ago, that’s naturally a trick question. But yes, Munich offers so many opportunities for startups, and I would start a company here again anytime. The banks of the Isar are also the perfect spot for product photos!
Munich Startup: Bootstrapping or venture capital?
Leonie Neisinger: For the next phase of growth, clearly external capital. That’s also why I applied to “Die Höhle der Löwen” [German Shark Tank / Dragons’ Den].
Ivyclip showed very quickly that the product works. Now it’s all about scaling the brand quickly and building it internationally. Even more important to us than the capital itself, however, is the right partner: someone who brings experience, a network, and access to retail and international markets.
