Founding of the month: Prio Optics
23.09.2024
Aline Kinzie
Founder of the month
Everyone uses optical filters, for example built into our smartphones. However, manufacturing them is quite time-consuming and costly. Isn't there another way? The KIT startup Prio Optics is revolutionizing optical filters. Thanks to the new, cost-effective method, the filters can be manufactured energy-efficiently and for various technological applications. The goal is to further develop production in B2B markets and to minimize environmental impact.
What does your company stand for?
Prio Optics is developing a new technology for the production of optical filters. We are a game-changer that can push back the boundaries of optical filter production and open up possibilities that did not previously exist.
Where and how did you come up with the idea to found the company?
Qiaoshuang and Qihao came up with the idea while they were doing their doctorates under Professor Uli Lemmer at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). As doctoral students in the field of optics and photonics, they were working intensively on the development of new technologies and were also users of optical filters themselves. Through this dual role as developers and users, they recognized many of the existing pain points with optical filters on the market. During their research, they managed to develop an innovative technology that could solve precisely these challenges.
After a successful proof of concept, they recognized the great potential of their invention and saw the opportunity to create significant added value for the industry. This realization ultimately led to their decision to commercialize the technology and found their own company.
How did the founding team come together?
After Qiaoshuang and Qihao decided to start a company, they turned to their colleague Andres, who also did his doctorate at the KIT. Andres has extensive software experience and is key to automating the production process. Through the KIT IRM network, the last team member, Gerda, eventually joined them. Gerda brings extensive financial expertise and valuable startup experience.
With her arrival, the team was complete and perfectly complemented in the skills needed to successfully advance the company.
Where do you see hurdles in the founding process? Where did you get support?
Formalities in the founding process are tedious and take time. We got advice and support from our networks, from CyberForum and UnternehmerTUM. Gerda has an extensive network that was often able to help with questions.
What was one of your biggest challenges during the start-up phase?
We overcame the first challenge, the Exist research transfer, at the first attempt and without any problems. This phase was very important for the team to grow together. Visiting trade fairs and learning from customers were very important in this phase. Completing doctorates and then the coexistence of technical development and parallel company development is the biggest challenge this year.
What qualities do you think are needed to found a company?
It’s important to be resilient. You need courage and frustration tolerance, as well as stamina. If there are only one or two founders, you need to be willing to communicate and be extroverted. The ability to work in a team and to deal honestly with each other is important; this also includes asking uncomfortable questions. The ability to make decisions is also important.
Do you have any practical tips for other young company founders?
From my point of view: look for an accelerator that is right for the team and the topic, and participate consistently. You can learn a lot from experienced founders.
What are your plans for the future? What are your next big milestones?
The next technical step is to get a grip on all the little problems that came up while setting up our own production line. We are working on automating production at the same time. Of course, setting up the company is an important milestone. Then comes the financing for the phase after EXIST. We are in initial talks with VCs, but this is still in the early stages. And we need paying customers and feedback and a willingness to pay from the market. We are in initial discussions with customers and have our first engineering projects, but that’s just the beginning.
Thank you for answering the questions!
Listen to the podcast episode with Qiaoshuang and Gerda from the founding team. Daniela talks to them about their journey from the initial idea, to the notary appointment this month, to the planned market entry.
