Founder of the month: lytris

In the new episode of Tomorrow’s Founders, we talk to the two of them about lytris’ vision, how AI can make everyday student life easier—and why Johannes’ “fundraising beard” always makes for a good story. In conversation with host Daniela Musial-Lemberg, they discuss how digital tools can break down barriers to learning, what role lecturers play in this, and why it takes courage to rethink education.

You can find the entire interview on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

What does your company stand for?

We want to make STEM education at university level more accessible and break down barriers. To this end, we are developing an AI learning assistant specifically for STEM students. However, our approach goes far beyond simply generating answers: lytris offers precise script citations, a tutor mode that guides you step by step through tasks, and interactive visualizations with tools such as Falstad, Matplotlib, or dynamic SVGs so that you can really understand the content.

All results are formally verified to ensure accuracy. The interface is tailored to the specific requirements of STEM subjects. We are currently preparing a pilot test with math professors and are looking forward to further collaborations to test how our system can meaningfully complement teaching.

Where and how did you come up with the brilliant idea to start the company?

The idea came to Johannes during a math lecture by Prof. Dr. Norbert Henze. That’s when he realized for the first time that math can actually be fun. Especially because the professor repeated the prerequisites for each proof and used modern presentations instead of chalk on the blackboard. It became clear that how you convey content makes a huge difference.

How did the founding team come together?

Julian and Johannes knew each other through Johannes’ brother, with whom Julian studied in Konstanz. They really got talking at the street parade – about everything under the sun, trust, and what’s important to them. Later, Julian called Johannes about an idea, he drove straight down, and the two of them built an MVP. That’s how it all started.

What is your grand vision?

We want to become the best AI platform in the field of STEM learning and research. Our goal is to help students and researchers learn faster, more deeply, and with more enjoyment.

Where do you see significant hurdles in the start-up process?

To be honest, right from the notary appointment. The problem is finding an appointment in the first place—and then the whole process with accounts, contracts, and formalities. If you’ve never done it before, it’s a real jungle. Fortunately, Julian was able to draw on his time at the tax office, which made things a lot easier for us.

Where did you get support?

Our mentor from the very beginning is Corinna Jahn – we met her at KIT Innovators Homecoming. We are also part of Campus Founders in Heilbronn. These networks have helped us a lot, not only professionally but also strategically. The KIT Start-up Incubator also supported us a lot in the beginning.

What were the biggest challenges during your start-up phase?

One major challenge was the leap from idea to product. We made many pivots until we found the right direction. And then there were co-founder issues: we had a third co-founder who contributed nothing. In the end, we had to remove him via our vesting clause. That wasn’t nice, but it was important for the team.