Fresh Ideas from Düsseldorf #06
The right idea at the right time: probably the most decisive aspect for a successful startup. But for a strong idea to really become a strong company, more is needed. Experienced partners, for example, who provide impetus and pave the way. Since 2020, the Startup Unit of the Office of Economic Development Düsseldorf has been supporting young founders on their way to entrepreneurship. And apparently quite successfully, because the startup scene on the Rhine is booming. Around 500 startups are currently providing fresh ideas and modern solutions in Düsseldorf – across all sectors.The three companies we are presenting to you today also come from the most diverse sectors: an app for better language skills, a fast and flexible logistics service provider, and a legal tech company that aims to make „getting justice“ easy. And yet the stories of the three show how similar the impulse to found a company usually is: it is the strong will to create a new solution for a problem in your own field. Introducing: Grammario, Pick & Pack 24 and RightNow.
The playful grammar learning app
With his app Grammario, Dominik Klepek won first place in the nationwide “Startup Teens” competition in 2021
How can you help people improve their language skills actively and easily? Dominik Klepek asked himself this question at the age of 15. While grammar, spelling and the like always came easy to him, he quickly realised that this was not true for everyone: “Many people have language problems, even with their mother tongue. In the long run, this leads to considerable disadvantages, both professionally and privately. I wanted to do something about that.” So in 2018, the idea for a playful, fun grammar learning app was born, which Dominik then immediately programmed himself as a prototype. In 2021, it won first place in the nationwide “Startup Teens” competition.
In February 2022, Dominik founded the startup Grammario in Düsseldorf together with his former mentor Georg Reifferscheid. The Grammario app has been officially available in the app stores for a few months now. It is very easy to use: register, create a training plan and the app will suggest suitable exercises that you can complete to collect points. Playful elements such as leaderboards, rewards etc. provide fun and long-term motivation.“We get a lot of positive feedback from people impressed by the app,” says the now 20-year-old founder. “We are still focusing on foreign language learners, but soon we would like to target other groups, such as people with dyslexia. Other languages are also to be added in the next few years. For this, we are currently building a great team with which we want to create something truly special.” •
Gammario UG, Speditionsstraße 15a, 40221 Düsseldorf
Modern logistics services
A passion for wrapping things up: Ömer Demirel, Leon Frank and Emre Calisir (from left to right) are the brains behind the logistics startup Pick & Pack 24.
Solution-oriented, uncomplicated, fast – that's how a logistics service provider should be, according to Ömer Demirel and Emre Calisir, the founders of the logistics startup Pick & Pack 24. As production and warehouse managers of a spice company, the two experienced first-hand what the logistics industry often lacks: “Most logistics service providers work in a rather traditional and not very innovative way,” says Ömer. “That's why we founded Pick & Pack 24 at the end of 2020, a modern and efficient full-service logistics partner. We focus on digital processes and a transparent exchange with our customers.”
Since its launch, the startup has been able to make a name for itself in the food sector in the Rhine region, among others, and today looks after up-and-coming customers such as Just Spices, Naughty Nuts and treatfuls. The special strength of the Düsseldorf-based company: the fast and flexible handling of large projects as well as complex packaging, e.g. for Advent calendars or displays. “From day one, we have supported startups in building up their business as a consulting full-service logistics partner,” says co-managing director Leon Frank, who joined the company in mid-2021. “As a result, word of our modern concept quickly spread in the area. Our goal: customers should not have to worry about their logistics, but rather use their resources elsewhere.“In the coming years, the Pick & Pack 24 team plans to further expand its network and continue to modernise and digitalise its logistics solutions. An open workspace for customers and partners is also in the pipeline. The location in Düsseldorf offers excellent conditions for this, say Ömer, Emre and Leon. •
Pick & Pack 24 GmbH, Wiesenstraße 51a, Gebäude 44-45, 40549 Düsseldorf
Right at the push of a button
Since 2016, Benedikt Quarch, Torben Antretter and Phillip Eischet (from left to right) have been providing “law at the push of a button” with their legal tech company RightNow.
Enforcing your rights – as easy as ordering a pizza. Is that possible? Phillip Eischet and Benedikt Quarch say it is! Together with Torben Antretter, the three entrepreneurs are the people behind the Düsseldorf-based legal tech startup RightNow. The principle: consumers can sell their problem quickly and easily. An algorithm assesses whether a legal claim exists, calculates the individual enforcement risk and offers the person immediate compensation. Law at the push of a button, so to speak. RightNow then takes care of the actual legal enforcement in a concise way. “There is still an immense discrepancy between 'being right' and 'getting justice',” says founder Benedikt. “Especially corporations often don't move until you take them to court. Not everyone has the capacity to do that. With RightNow, we want to help our customers to easily enforce their legal claims and create a balance between consumers:inside and big corporations.”
In 2016, the three founders went into business – today, around 50 people already work for RightNow. There have been numerous awards for the rapid growth, including the Deloitte Fast 50 Award, the FOCUS Growth Award and the FT1000 Growth Champion award. And last but not least, all three founders hold the Forbes “30 under 30” title. The company enforces more than 10,000 end client claims every month – and the trend is rising, says founder Phillip: “In the coming years, we want to open up further legal areas and continue to grow significantly. That is why it is very important for us to be an attractive and dynamic employer. You can only build the best company with the best employees!” •
RightNow GmbH, Kaiserswerther Straße 135 , 40474 Düsseldorf
Words Maria Leipold
Pictures Gammario UG, Pick & Pack 24 GmbH, RightNow GmbH