Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem are you solving?
Mission Monument: Mission Monument makes it possible to talk to statues. A city walk or museum visit becomes an interactive experience. With our app, we want to contribute to more conscious perception of public spaces and contemporary discourse about monument culture. In short, we want to increase cultural education and entertainment at the same time—in an motivating and empathy-promoting way. Our app is for everyone looking for cultural education and entertainment in a city, so both locals and tourists of various age groups.
Munich Startup: But that already exists!
Mission Monument: Really, where?
Munich Startup: What’s your founding story?
Mission Monument: The four of us have been friends for a long time, and Jones, Simon, and Will have been developing web applications and apps together for years. During a group city trip to Regensburg, we visited the Walhalla. We were very impressed by the size and scope of the exhibition. However, we all left with a desire to learn much more about the people behind the busts. And in that moment, the idea for Mission Monument was born, and the idea quickly became a concrete project and an application for the “Extended Realities” funding program from FFF Bavaria.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Mission Monument: We’re aware that currently, especially in the digital space, many great ideas are competing for attention. Plus, it’s not getting easier to secure funding for cultural projects right now. We certainly feel both of these things. But we’re motivated to continue exploring the possibilities of cultural funding and to find partners who also bring motivation, imagination, and a spirit of play. We work with enthusiasm to leverage advancements in digital technologies, not just in AI, for ourselves.
First tour coming in 2024
Munich Startup: Where do you want to be in one year, and where in five years?
Mission Monument: We want to release our first own tour “Munich personalities” in 2024 and also help museums enrich their visitors’ experiences through customized implementation of our idea. In the following years, many more tours and museums should follow. Additionally, the technology for creating content should become simple enough that customers can develop and modify it themselves.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Mission Monument: Munich has a lot to offer for startups and doesn’t need to hide behind Berlin. We’ve already met many exciting people, companies, ideas, and programs, which have also advanced our product. That said, you still have to make sure things keep moving forward yourself.
Munich Startup: Public transport or bike?
Mission Monument: Whenever possible, definitely bike!
