Startuprad.io™ is Europe’s voice on startups, venture capital, and innovation — giving you backstage access to the continent’s most dynamic founders, investors, and tech visionaries. Hosted by Joe Menninger, the show has become a trusted source for international audiences who want to understand how Europe builds and scales its next generation of unicorns.
Each episode dives deep into the strategies, funding rounds, and market shifts shaping the DACH and broader European startup scene — from fintech and deep tech to sustainability, AI, and frontier innovation. Through data-driven storytelling and in-depth interviews, Startuprad.io™ connects you directly with the entrepreneurs, policymakers, and venture capitalists transforming the European economy.
Why listeners tune in:
• Insightful founder interviews and growth stories across Germany, Austria & Switzerland
• Exclusive access to venture capital trends, exits, and emerging funds
• Data-backed coverage of fintech, AI, green tech, and deep tech sectors
• Conversations on policy, talent, and ecosystem development across Europe
• B2B intelligence for investors, corporates, and innovators expanding into Europe
Global Recognition
Featured by Forbes, Tech.eu, Crunchbase, Feedspot, F6S, and MillionPodcasts, Startuprad.io™ consistently ranks among the world’s top entrepreneurship and innovation podcasts — reaching founders and decision-makers in more than 60 countries.
The Startuprad.io™ Network
The flagship show anchors a family of focused podcasts including FinTech Germany, Deep Tech Germany, Security Sutra, Blockchain Germany, and European Startup Pulse. Together they form one of Europe’s most comprehensive English-language startup media networks, attracting over one million annual listeners and viewers across podcast platforms, YouTube, radio, and newsletters.
Our Mission
To connect Europe’s innovation economy with a global audience — through credible journalism, deep research, and storytelling that empowers entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Stay Connected
🌐 All links → https://linktr.ee/startupradio
💌 Newsletter → https://startupradio.substack.com
📰 Blog → https://www.startuprad.io/blog/
📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/startupradio
Startuprad.io™ — Where Europe’s startup stories meet the world.
All content for Startuprad.io™ – Europe’s Voice on Startups, VC, Innovation & Growth 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.
Startuprad.io™ is Europe’s voice on startups, venture capital, and innovation — giving you backstage access to the continent’s most dynamic founders, investors, and tech visionaries. Hosted by Joe Menninger, the show has become a trusted source for international audiences who want to understand how Europe builds and scales its next generation of unicorns.
Each episode dives deep into the strategies, funding rounds, and market shifts shaping the DACH and broader European startup scene — from fintech and deep tech to sustainability, AI, and frontier innovation. Through data-driven storytelling and in-depth interviews, Startuprad.io™ connects you directly with the entrepreneurs, policymakers, and venture capitalists transforming the European economy.
Why listeners tune in:
• Insightful founder interviews and growth stories across Germany, Austria & Switzerland
• Exclusive access to venture capital trends, exits, and emerging funds
• Data-backed coverage of fintech, AI, green tech, and deep tech sectors
• Conversations on policy, talent, and ecosystem development across Europe
• B2B intelligence for investors, corporates, and innovators expanding into Europe
Global Recognition
Featured by Forbes, Tech.eu, Crunchbase, Feedspot, F6S, and MillionPodcasts, Startuprad.io™ consistently ranks among the world’s top entrepreneurship and innovation podcasts — reaching founders and decision-makers in more than 60 countries.
The Startuprad.io™ Network
The flagship show anchors a family of focused podcasts including FinTech Germany, Deep Tech Germany, Security Sutra, Blockchain Germany, and European Startup Pulse. Together they form one of Europe’s most comprehensive English-language startup media networks, attracting over one million annual listeners and viewers across podcast platforms, YouTube, radio, and newsletters.
Our Mission
To connect Europe’s innovation economy with a global audience — through credible journalism, deep research, and storytelling that empowers entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Stay Connected
🌐 All links → https://linktr.ee/startupradio
💌 Newsletter → https://startupradio.substack.com
📰 Blog → https://www.startuprad.io/blog/
📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/startupradio
Startuprad.io™ — Where Europe’s startup stories meet the world.
Salt-Free Water Softener: How AQON PURE Bootstrapped a Cleantech Startup
Startuprad.io™ – Europe’s Voice on Startups, VC, Innovation & Growth
49 minutes 55 seconds
2 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
Subscribe here: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Partner with us: partnerships@startuprad.io
Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/startupradio
Feedback: https://forms.gle/SrcGUpycu26fvMFE9
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.
Startuprad.io™ – Europe’s Voice on Startups, VC, Innovation & Growth
Startuprad.io™ is Europe’s voice on startups, venture capital, and innovation — giving you backstage access to the continent’s most dynamic founders, investors, and tech visionaries. Hosted by Joe Menninger, the show has become a trusted source for international audiences who want to understand how Europe builds and scales its next generation of unicorns.
Each episode dives deep into the strategies, funding rounds, and market shifts shaping the DACH and broader European startup scene — from fintech and deep tech to sustainability, AI, and frontier innovation. Through data-driven storytelling and in-depth interviews, Startuprad.io™ connects you directly with the entrepreneurs, policymakers, and venture capitalists transforming the European economy.
Why listeners tune in:
• Insightful founder interviews and growth stories across Germany, Austria & Switzerland
• Exclusive access to venture capital trends, exits, and emerging funds
• Data-backed coverage of fintech, AI, green tech, and deep tech sectors
• Conversations on policy, talent, and ecosystem development across Europe
• B2B intelligence for investors, corporates, and innovators expanding into Europe
Global Recognition
Featured by Forbes, Tech.eu, Crunchbase, Feedspot, F6S, and MillionPodcasts, Startuprad.io™ consistently ranks among the world’s top entrepreneurship and innovation podcasts — reaching founders and decision-makers in more than 60 countries.
The Startuprad.io™ Network
The flagship show anchors a family of focused podcasts including FinTech Germany, Deep Tech Germany, Security Sutra, Blockchain Germany, and European Startup Pulse. Together they form one of Europe’s most comprehensive English-language startup media networks, attracting over one million annual listeners and viewers across podcast platforms, YouTube, radio, and newsletters.
Our Mission
To connect Europe’s innovation economy with a global audience — through credible journalism, deep research, and storytelling that empowers entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Stay Connected
🌐 All links → https://linktr.ee/startupradio
💌 Newsletter → https://startupradio.substack.com
📰 Blog → https://www.startuprad.io/blog/
📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/startupradio
Startuprad.io™ — Where Europe’s startup stories meet the world.
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