Munich Startup: What motivated you to found a company?
Katharina Hesseler: I was motivated by the opportunity to make a positive contribution to social change through technological pioneering work. I am convinced that new scientific insights and innovative technologies are important levers for sustainably solving the challenges of our time. For me, sustainability means combining economic progress with responsible action. With Omegga, I have the chance to do exactly that while building something of my own that can drive real change. What’s particularly fulfilling for me is taking this path together with a team that is passionate about technology and impact, and works with extraordinary commitment to our vision.
“Founding is not a sprint, but a marathon”
Munich Startup: What would you have liked to know before your first founding?
Katharina Hesseler: I would have liked to understand earlier that founding is far more than the success stories, funding rounds, and networking events you see on LinkedIn. The glamorous side of entrepreneurship is visible; the many difficult phases in between are not. Anyone who founds a company must learn to make decisions with incomplete information, endure crises, and stay the course long-term. Founding is not a sprint, but a marathon. That’s why a strong team you can go through ups and downs with, as well as your own physical and mental health, are decisive success factors. Because in the end, it’s not just about having a good idea, but also about bringing the stamina and resilience to implement it in practice despite all challenges.
Munich Startup: How has your company been financed so far?
Katharina Hesseler: Since our founding in 2022, our team has grown to over 20 employees. In 2024, we were able to secure an EIC grant of 2.4 million euros. One customer is already fully operational, another is in the implementation phase. With the funding round of 10 million euros completed in early 2026 with IQ Capital, Capnamic, and the EIC Fund, we will now double our team.
Munich Startup: When and where do you get your best ideas?
Katharina Hesseler: Usually not at my desk. The best ideas come to me while exercising, on walks, or when traveling – whenever my mind has some distance from daily business. But often the most exciting thoughts also emerge from conversations with our team, customers, or partners, when different perspectives come together.
Munich Startup: What are your 3 favorite work tools?
Katharina Hesseler: Claude and ChatGPT as sparring partners for research, structuring, and drafting presentations and concepts.
Fathom: Automatic meeting summaries allow me to focus completely on the person I’m talking to and the content during conversations. This saves time and ensures that important insights aren’t lost.
My gravel bike: My daily commute to work is a fixed part of my day. Often my thoughts get sorted out, new ideas emerge, or challenges suddenly seem much more solvable. At the same time, it’s time to unwind and recharge, and an important counterbalance to staying focused and energized long-term.
“Know your audience”
Munich Startup: Your top tip on “pitching”?
Katharina Hesseler: Know your audience and keep it simple. If people understand why a problem is relevant, they’ll also understand the value of your solution.
Munich Startup: Does it seem like a good time to found a company right now? Why?
Katharina Hesseler: Yes. There are currently major technological and social upheavals – from AI to increasing resource scarcity. Such changes create challenges, but also opportunities for new solutions. If you solve a relevant problem and have perseverance, you’ll find good conditions for founding even today.
Munich Startup: Which technology or industry would you focus on in your next founding?
Katharina Hesseler: In the field of climate protection and decarbonization. Limiting climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time, and the window for effective solutions is limited. The opportunity to make a concrete and measurable contribution with technology is exciting to me.
Decoupling entrepreneurship from financial background
Munich Startup: What could be improved at the Munich founding location in your view?
Katharina Hesseler: Founding grants should be better adapted to actual cost of living. Especially in a city like Munich, it’s often difficult to live solely on a grant if you don’t already have financial savings. This makes founding harder for many talented people. I believe we could unlock more potential if entrepreneurship were more accessible regardless of personal financial background.
Munich Startup: Which founder would you like to meet in person? And what would you ask them?
Katharina Hesseler: Elon Musk. Although I don’t personally resonate with his political course, his entrepreneurial influence impresses me. He has shaped entire industries and decisively advanced topics like electric mobility and space travel. I’m fascinated by people who don’t explain why something won’t work, but rather dare to attempt what seems impossible and make it reality. I would ask him how he sets priorities, divides his focus between multiple major projects, and where he gets the persistence to stick to a vision even when almost everything goes against it.
