Startups @ HSWT | Part 51: Maentum

at HSWT Business Management and Entrepreneurship Renewable Energies and is co-founder of the company MAENTUM, which provides the best supply at festivals with cool boxes, power stations and solar panels and is now one of the leading manufacturers of compressor cool boxes.

How did you come up with the idea of ​​starting your own company and how do you define yourselves as a brand?

We'd long harbored the desire to create something of our own – our bachelor's thesis finally gave us the impetus to give it a try. From the very beginning, it was important to us to have a personal presence, whether on our website, in our videos, or in direct customer contact. We're not just some anonymous company, but two young graduates who are passionate about their idea. Our brand thrives on authenticity and a direct connection to people.

What is your underlying business model and which target group do you want to reach with your products?

Our business model is based on e-commerce: We operate an online shop with products from our own brand, as well as selected items from other manufacturers. Our main target group is primarily campers. With Plug-in Festivals, we focus on a strong price-performance ratio, while MAENTUM stands for high-quality premium products. Additionally, we rent out power stations at festivals in Germany to ensure that guests at campsites have access to electricity.

You registered your GmbH (limited liability company) in 2020. How did the Corona pandemic affect your then still young company?

The pandemic was a shock for us at first, because at that time we were exclusively in the rental business – and suddenly there were no more festivals. So we were practically facing ruin, but then we decided to simply sell our products online. That took off completely, because the camping industry was booming at the time. That's how our second business model in e-commerce came about, which is now even bigger than the rental business.

What challenges do you face in the industry?

One of the biggest challenges these days is the intense competition, which is often significantly cheaper than us. This used to be difficult, but we've since built a brand name that people actively search for and want. That's precisely why we focus so heavily on brand building – a strong brand isn't easy to copy. Of course, it remains a constant competition, but that's exactly what drives us. Every new competitor forces us to improve and think outside the box. Ultimately, every challenge ensures that we continue to evolve and don't stagnate.