With KICKSTART, Hof University of Applied Sciences has launched a funding program that starts at a very early stage of a potential start-up – with the ideas or prototype development. The KICKSTART teams have six months to develop their idea into an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or prototype.
We present: Development of a modular mobile station for the identification of foreign water sources through short-term use – “FremdWa”
The mission
We are developing a mobile measuring system for recording water levels and conductivity. In this way, we support municipalities in the analysis of extraneous water and contribute to the sustainable optimization of water infrastructure.
How did you come up with this idea?
As part of our Sustainable Water Management and Engineering degree course, we came into close contact with the challenges of water infiltration in urban areas. We were particularly interested in this topic in the context of the overloading of drainage systems and the burden on sewage treatment plants. Our professor, Günter Müller-Czygan, introduced us to this topic at an early stage and thus laid the foundation for our project idea.
Our interdisciplinary team brought together a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, which also spurred on the creative process. Together, we asked ourselves: Is there already a practical solution for recording infiltration? This gave rise to the idea of developing a mobile measuring system that can record water levels and conductivity. This allows conclusions to be drawn about possible infiltration.
Studying or working alone is already very time-consuming and exhausting. Nevertheless, you are still working on developing your own start-up idea at the same time. Where do you get your motivation from?
Our motivation actually comes directly from the interface between theory and practice. It is incredibly motivating to see how theoretical knowledge from your studies can be applied in practice to solve real problems. Our project expands our understanding of water management contexts – and at the same time our studies provide new impetus for the further development of the idea.
What’s more, we are a team that has formed out of a genuine interest in the topic. We all pull together – that gives us energy, even when things get stressful. Especially when initial ideas suddenly turn into functioning prototypes and tangible results become visible.
The Kickstart program is designed to promote the further development of ideas that are at a very early stage. You can receive up to 7,500 euros in financial support for this. How do you use the funding specifically?
The focus of our use of funds is on building and testing an initial prototype. This includes the purchase of suitable sensors, a data logger with analog inputs, safety components and a waterproof housing.
In the course of planning, we quickly realized that the implementation was more complex than we thought – not only technically, but also in terms of applicable standards and the requirements of practical partners. We therefore shifted our priorities to the core functions: precise measurement of water level and conductivity. We also want to test the prototype under real conditions – both in open and closed channels. This will give us a solid foundation for the next stage of development.
At the end of the six months, do you already know where you want to go from here? What are your long-term goals? Are you aiming to set up a company?
Yes, we are already thinking ahead. Our results so far show that our system has great potential as a service. We are currently developing a business model in which local authorities can use our system for a short period of time – e.g. two weeks – to collect specific data. This can be used to derive well-founded recommendations for optimizing the infrastructure.
The support from the Kickstart program has definitely given us the confidence to pursue the idea as an entrepreneur.
What have you learned from the project so far? What would you like to pass on to other people interested in starting a business?
Curiosity and openness are essential. It’s not just about building a functioning technical system – it’s just as important to understand the needs of the target group and develop the idea accordingly.
In addition: setbacks are part of the process. It is important to find solutions as a team and to bring in different strengths. For us, collaboration was a decisive success factor. Thinking together, trying things out, adapting – that’s how we progressed step by step.
