Deep Tech Germany™, powered by Startuprad.io, explores the scientific breakthroughs and deep technologies shaping Europe’s future. Hosted by Joe Menninger, this podcast dives into the convergence of research, engineering, and venture capital — where pioneering ideas evolve into scalable companies.
Every episode uncovers how scientists, founders, and investors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH) transform frontier technologies into global businesses. From AI and robotics to semiconductors, quantum computing, photonics, biotech, and space tech, we highlight the ecosystems that make Europe a world leader in applied innovation.
Whether you’re a researcher commercializing IP, an investor seeking defensible deep-tech opportunities, or a policy leader shaping industrial strategy, this show reveals how deep science becomes deep growth. Our guests include entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors building Europe’s next generation of unicorns through advanced R&D, venture building, and technology transfer.
Join conversations that cover:
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in industrial applications
• Robotics and automation for manufacturing and healthcare
• Quantum technology, semiconductors, and next-generation computing
• Climate and materials innovation for a sustainable Europe
• Biotech, medtech, and space exploration startups
• EU funding, IP management, and spin-out acceleration
Deep Tech Germany™ translates complex science into actionable insights — bridging universities, venture capital, and policy. Episodes decode the challenges of turning prototypes into production, connecting research clusters like Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, and ESA BICs with the investors fueling them.
The podcast forms part of the Startuprad.io™ Network, Europe’s leading platform for startup and venture capital storytelling, alongside Fintech Germany, Blockchain Germany, Security Startups Germany, and German Startup News. Collectively, the network reaches over one million annual streams and ranks among the global top 0.5 % of podcasts, trusted by founders, investors, and corporate innovators.
🔹 Topics we explore: AI startups, robotics innovation, quantum computing, semiconductor strategy, biotech, space tech, applied research, venture capital Europe, and DACH deep-tech ecosystems.
🔍 Explore more from the Startuprad.io Podcast Network:
• Fintech Germany Podcast
• Blockchain Germany Podcast
• German Startup News
• Security Startups Germany
• Female Entrepreneurship Podcast
💌 Subscribe for insider updates: https://startupradio.substack.com/
🌐 Discover all links & platforms: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
📰 Read our blog & show notes: https://www.startuprad.io/blog/
All content for Deep Tech Germany: AI, Robotics & Frontier Innovation by Startuprad.io™ is the property of Startuprad.io™ – Europe’s Startup & VC Podcast Network and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Deep Tech Germany™, powered by Startuprad.io, explores the scientific breakthroughs and deep technologies shaping Europe’s future. Hosted by Joe Menninger, this podcast dives into the convergence of research, engineering, and venture capital — where pioneering ideas evolve into scalable companies.
Every episode uncovers how scientists, founders, and investors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH) transform frontier technologies into global businesses. From AI and robotics to semiconductors, quantum computing, photonics, biotech, and space tech, we highlight the ecosystems that make Europe a world leader in applied innovation.
Whether you’re a researcher commercializing IP, an investor seeking defensible deep-tech opportunities, or a policy leader shaping industrial strategy, this show reveals how deep science becomes deep growth. Our guests include entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors building Europe’s next generation of unicorns through advanced R&D, venture building, and technology transfer.
Join conversations that cover:
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in industrial applications
• Robotics and automation for manufacturing and healthcare
• Quantum technology, semiconductors, and next-generation computing
• Climate and materials innovation for a sustainable Europe
• Biotech, medtech, and space exploration startups
• EU funding, IP management, and spin-out acceleration
Deep Tech Germany™ translates complex science into actionable insights — bridging universities, venture capital, and policy. Episodes decode the challenges of turning prototypes into production, connecting research clusters like Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, and ESA BICs with the investors fueling them.
The podcast forms part of the Startuprad.io™ Network, Europe’s leading platform for startup and venture capital storytelling, alongside Fintech Germany, Blockchain Germany, Security Startups Germany, and German Startup News. Collectively, the network reaches over one million annual streams and ranks among the global top 0.5 % of podcasts, trusted by founders, investors, and corporate innovators.
🔹 Topics we explore: AI startups, robotics innovation, quantum computing, semiconductor strategy, biotech, space tech, applied research, venture capital Europe, and DACH deep-tech ecosystems.
🔍 Explore more from the Startuprad.io Podcast Network:
• Fintech Germany Podcast
• Blockchain Germany Podcast
• German Startup News
• Security Startups Germany
• Female Entrepreneurship Podcast
💌 Subscribe for insider updates: https://startupradio.substack.com/
🌐 Discover all links & platforms: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
📰 Read our blog & show notes: https://www.startuprad.io/blog/
Salt-Free Water Softener: How AQON PURE Bootstrapped a Cleantech Startup
Deep Tech Germany: AI, Robotics & Frontier Innovation by Startuprad.io™
49 minutes 55 seconds
3 months ago
Salt-Free Water Softener: How AQON PURE Bootstrapped a Cleantech Startup
What if fixing hard water could also save energy and rivers?That’s the question Maximilian Wilk, Co-Founder & CEO of AQON PURE, set out to answer. His team developed a salt-free water softener that prevents limescale, lowers energy bills, and avoids the chloride pollution caused by traditional salt-based systems.
In this episode of Startuprad.io, Maximilian shares how AQON PURE transformed from a family business into a bootstrapped cleantech startup that scaled without VC funding. Instead of relying on wholesalers, the team built a D2C + certified installer network that grew from 100 to over 400 plumbers—unlocking sustainable growth across Germany and beyond.
What you’ll learn:– How limescale silently increases household energy bills by 10–15%– Why salt-based softeners are being phased out for environmental reasons– The GTM pivot that took AQON PURE from 18 months of failure to triple-digit growth– Why bootstrapping a hardware startup can beat VC hypergrowth– How AQON PURE plans to expand into Spain and Poland with quality-first scaling– How awards like the FT1000 and a stage appearance at the Schwarzenegger Climate Summit built trust and credibility
Guest Spotlight:Maximilian Wilk is Co-Founder & CEO of AQON PURE, a leading European startup building climate-positive water technology. His journey shows that family roots, disciplined growth, and a bold pivot can reshape even the hardest hardware categories.
Read complete Blog: https://www.startuprad.io/post/salt-free-water-softener-aqon-pure-founder-playbook
Watch full interview: https://youtu.be/wibm7IOuy54
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Partner with us: partnerships@startuprad.io
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Follow Joe on LinkedIn: Jörn Menninger
Salt-free water softener, cleantech startup, bootstrapped startup, hardware startup, limescale prevention. D2C startup strategy, European expansion, family business to startup, installer network.
Deep Tech Germany: AI, Robotics & Frontier Innovation by Startuprad.io™
Deep Tech Germany™, powered by Startuprad.io, explores the scientific breakthroughs and deep technologies shaping Europe’s future. Hosted by Joe Menninger, this podcast dives into the convergence of research, engineering, and venture capital — where pioneering ideas evolve into scalable companies.
Every episode uncovers how scientists, founders, and investors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH) transform frontier technologies into global businesses. From AI and robotics to semiconductors, quantum computing, photonics, biotech, and space tech, we highlight the ecosystems that make Europe a world leader in applied innovation.
Whether you’re a researcher commercializing IP, an investor seeking defensible deep-tech opportunities, or a policy leader shaping industrial strategy, this show reveals how deep science becomes deep growth. Our guests include entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors building Europe’s next generation of unicorns through advanced R&D, venture building, and technology transfer.
Join conversations that cover:
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in industrial applications
• Robotics and automation for manufacturing and healthcare
• Quantum technology, semiconductors, and next-generation computing
• Climate and materials innovation for a sustainable Europe
• Biotech, medtech, and space exploration startups
• EU funding, IP management, and spin-out acceleration
Deep Tech Germany™ translates complex science into actionable insights — bridging universities, venture capital, and policy. Episodes decode the challenges of turning prototypes into production, connecting research clusters like Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, and ESA BICs with the investors fueling them.
The podcast forms part of the Startuprad.io™ Network, Europe’s leading platform for startup and venture capital storytelling, alongside Fintech Germany, Blockchain Germany, Security Startups Germany, and German Startup News. Collectively, the network reaches over one million annual streams and ranks among the global top 0.5 % of podcasts, trusted by founders, investors, and corporate innovators.
🔹 Topics we explore: AI startups, robotics innovation, quantum computing, semiconductor strategy, biotech, space tech, applied research, venture capital Europe, and DACH deep-tech ecosystems.
🔍 Explore more from the Startuprad.io Podcast Network:
• Fintech Germany Podcast
• Blockchain Germany Podcast
• German Startup News
• Security Startups Germany
• Female Entrepreneurship Podcast
💌 Subscribe for insider updates: https://startupradio.substack.com/
🌐 Discover all links & platforms: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
📰 Read our blog & show notes: https://www.startuprad.io/blog/
