This is how we did it – episode 3 with Dr. Jannik Lockl from inContAlert

The decision to start your own start-up is always a challenge. In our series “This is how we did it” we talk to founders from our portfolio who have made their first experiences as entrepreneurs in challenging times — valuable first-hand tips and insights. In the third episode we talk to Dr. Jannik Lockl, co-founder of inContAlert, about his founding experience. The MedTech startup was founded in 2022 and develops a sensor device to monitor the bladder filling level of patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The AI-based solution enables the affected people to empty their bladder in time and protects them from uncontrolled urine leakage or a health-damaging overstretching of the bladder.

What opportunities did the crisis open up for you as a young company?
The process until the completion of our pre-seed financing round was very lengthy and challenging. The transition from science to a start-up is often a big hurdle, at which many outstanding ideas fail. Here, much perseverance and ambition were required, which we could only overcome through strong team cohesion and trust in our technology.

What was your most important insight from this time?
Setbacks are normal in times of great change! Instead of giving up right away, you should get together as a team and work together on a solution that makes you emerge stronger from the situation.

Were there any surprises?
The extreme openness of the affected people surprised us a bit, especially since we are not medical professionals. We knew what demand there was for such a product, but we are always impressed by the different backgrounds for the interest in our product and how committed the affected people are to advance our development. This gives us realistic insights into the lives of the patients and motivates us to continue working on the product every day.

What should founders pay special attention to when they start a start-up now?
It is important that you deal extensively with the idea and inform yourself in advance about competitors, but also the demand for the new product in this area. Of course, a balanced team as well as the fun and desire to found are essential. There are numerous possibilities to get support for a founding, which you should definitely take advantage of.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Deal with the real problems of society. Think disruptively, out-of-the-box. This is the only way to find groundbreaking ideas and solutions that improve our society and thus the quality of life of our fellow human beings.