Lena Jüngst, air up: From University Project to €60 Million Startup

About this episode

Lena Jüngst is Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of air up, the world's first drinking system that flavors water purely through scent. What began as a thesis project at university has evolved into an impressive startup success that has raised a total of €60 million across five funding rounds.

The Innovation Behind air up

The technology behind air up is as simple as it is ingenious: the drinking system flavors water exclusively through scent. While drinking, a special mechanism releases fragrance that influences the taste experience – without actually adding any flavors or additives to the water. This innovative approach leverages the natural connection between smell and taste.

From Student Project to Million-Euro Business

air up's journey exemplifies how a university idea can evolve into a successful company. What started as a thesis project developed through consistent iteration and strategic funding into a startup that's now revolutionizing the beverage market. The five funding rounds totaling €60 million demonstrate investors' confidence in the concept.

Sales Strategy and Market Positioning

A key success factor for air up lies in its well-thought-out sales strategy. The company leverages both its own webshop and retail channels. The webshop offers crucial advantages: direct customer contact, better margins, and complete control over the customer experience. Meanwhile, retail enables broader market penetration and visibility.

Learnings for Founders

Lena Jüngst's experiences offer valuable insights for other founders. The role of networking was particularly crucial for air up – both for product development and for funding and market launch. The right team composition and complementary skills among founders contributed significantly to success.

What Makes air up Stand Out

air up's success is based on several factors: a genuine innovation that solves a real problem, strong team dynamics, and a well-planned go-to-market strategy. The company demonstrates how important it is to learn early, iterate quickly, and find the right timing for scaling.

Advice for Aspiring Founders

For other founders, Jüngst emphasizes the importance of talking to potential customers early, actively using your network, and developing complementary strengths as a team. The key lies in turning a good idea into a functioning business – while never losing focus on customer value.

The story of air up impressively demonstrates that German startups can achieve international success with the right innovation, execution, and funding. Lena Jüngst's journey from student to successful entrepreneur is inspiring for the entire startup ecosystem.