Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim, Mybacs: At Mybacs, we rely on the power of the microbiome to improve health from the inside out. We develop high-quality, scientifically based food supplements that are specifically designed to promote the balance of intestinal flora. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between the gut and overall wellbeing, as we know that a healthy microbiome not only affects digestion, but impacts far more processes in the body, including the immune system, metabolism, skin health and even the psyche. The problem we are solving is that many people today suffer from stress, poor diet and environmental factors that unbalance the microbiome. Through our products, we offer natural support to rebalance the gut microbiome and thus increase well-being. Our formulations contain specially selected bacterial strains and nutrients that have proven their effectiveness in scientific studies. We attach great importance to transparency and quality – all our products are vegan, gluten- and lactose-free and developed on the basis of the latest scientific findings.
Munich Startup: But that’s nothing out of the box!
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: That’s right, dietary supplements for intestinal health are not a completely new invention. But what sets us at Mybacs apart from our competitors are our innovative formulations, which are tailored precisely to the needs and requirements of specific target groups. We also differentiate ourselves by the way we bring the topic of gut health to the masses. We go one step further by using the latest research in microbiome health to develop high-dose products that target not only digestion, but also skin health, metabolism and the immune system. We also place great emphasis on transparency and aesthetics – we want our customers to know what they are taking while offering a high-quality, appealing design. Our direct customer approach and our D2C approach allow us to respond more quickly to customer needs and offer customized solutions.
Munich Startup: What’s your founding story?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: Our story began in 2018 with a crucial question: how can we sustainably improve human health? We found the answer in the microbiome – one of the most underestimated parts of our body. We realized that better health starts with a holistic view of it and optimal nutrient intake, which is significantly influenced by the microbiome.
Science meets modern health needs
The original idea was Travelbacs, a product specifically for travelers to prevent digestive problems caused by foreign environmental conditions and pathogens. But with the outbreak of the pandemic, travel became impossible and we realized that the microbiome should also be supported in everyday life. My co-founder Sebastian, a pharmacist, had observed during his studies in Boston how the field of gut health was gaining a lot of attention in an international context. In America, brands such as Seed had already established themselves, not only offering high-quality products, but also building a modern, appealing and science-based brand, while in Germany the topic was still characterized by traditional, outdated brands in the pharmacy sector. There was a lack of scientifically based and at the same time aesthetically appealing D2C brands.
That was the moment we founded Mybacs (= my bacteria) – with the aim of combining the science of the microbiome with modern health needs and offering products that are both scientifically sound and visually appealing and easily accessible.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: Our biggest challenges with Mybacs were manifold: one key challenge is educating consumers. Many people are not aware of the importance of the microbiome for their health. Our task is not only to offer products, but also to raise awareness of the role of healthy intestinal flora. This requires a lot of educational work via marketing, our website and direct customer contact. We had to find ways to communicate complex scientific relationships in an understandable way to show how our products support long-term health.
Challenge: Market entry in a highly regulated environment
Another challenge was entering the market in a highly regulated environment. Dietary supplements are subject to strict legal requirements, particularly with regard to health claims. We therefore ensure that all claims are scientifically sound and comply with the regulations in markets such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The path from idea to market approval is often complex and time-consuming – but feasible, as we can see from our company.
After all, growth and scaling are a challenge. The transition from startup to established brand requires the development of a stable infrastructure and a strong team. In addition to product development, we had to further expand our logistics, sales and marketing to meet the growing demand – always with a focus on sustainable growth and maintaining our quality and values.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in a year, where would you like to be in five years?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: In a year’s time, we want to significantly increase our brand awareness in the DACH region by further expanding our online business and strengthening customer loyalty on our website. Our focus is on continuously optimizing and expanding our product portfolio to meet the changing needs of our customers. We are also aiming to enter the offline market in order to make our products accessible to a larger target group.
In five years, we see Mybacs as the leading provider of science-based microbiome products in Europe. In the long term, we want to build a strong community around gut health and wellbeing that supports people in understanding and improving their health holistically. We also plan to expand internationally to gain a foothold outside the DACH region and establish the brand globally.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: Munich offers us an excellent environment and some key advantages that make the location particularly attractive. The city is known for its strong presence in the fields of technology, IT, life sciences and medical research. This makes Munich a hotspot for tech startups and research institutions and offers a wide range of opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
Thanks to renowned universities such as Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), startups have access to highly qualified specialists and new talent, especially in the fields of technology, natural sciences and entrepreneurship.
Networks such as Bits & Pretzels, the annual founders’ conference, and innovation forums offer excellent platforms for networking, contact with investors and exchanges with other founders.
However, Munich is one of the most expensive cities in Germany, which poses a particular challenge for young companies. High office and living costs make it difficult to get started. Nevertheless, the high quality of life and the strong network make Munich an ideal location for us.
Goal: Sustainable, international success
Munich Startup: Hidden Champion or Shooting Star?
Carl-Philipp von Pohlheim: We see ourselves as an exciting mix of both. Initially, we are establishing ourselves as a hidden champion with the aim of becoming the market leader in the microbiome health niche. In the first few years, the focus was on sustainable, long-term growth as well as the high quality of our products and close customer relationships. With our scientifically sound and innovative products, we have already established ourselves in the microbiome niche and offer solutions that really help our customers.
In the next step, we want to significantly increase our brand awareness, have a public presence and gain more media attention in order to develop into a shooting star. Our vision is to be known not only as a brand for gut health, but as a leading brand that promotes holistic health from the inside out. Our path is clear: we are aiming for sustainable, international success – both in the niche and beyond.
