FlowShare documents processes - easier and nine times faster thanks to AI
Imagine your company is rolling out new software and you are tasked with documenting every step of the procedure. First, you create a PowerPoint presentation from hundreds of screenshots and notes, followed by PDFs and instructions, and send it all to your team. Sounds boring and tedious? Oliver Fluck was not enthusiastic either when he was asked to capture the process for customer software development projects. “There must be an easier way," he thought, and brought Sofia Gertzen and Louis Maywald on board.
AI-powered solution that automatically creates instructions
Together, they founded the startup Miraminds in 2016 and officially named their product FlowShare. Since then, they and their team have developed an AI-powered solution that automatically creates instructions and translates them into 29 languages - nine times faster than manual documentation.
We interviewed Sofia to find out about her key learnings on the startup journey and to get possible tips for budding founders in Hamburg. She reveals the steps she wishes she had taken earlier and the funding programmes that can help startups go international.
Sofia, what is the idea behind your startup? What does FlowShare do?
FlowShare automatically creates step-by-step instructions while the user is using a programme or tool. It captures every action and automatically documents it in screenshots, notes and plain text instructions. That makes it easier for experts to share their knowledge across the organisation. Our AI technology uses precise documentation to ensure that teams can master complex tools confidently.
What is your software’s USP and which sectors do your customers come from?
FlowShare is desktop software and is compatible with all applications running on Windows - even in offline mode. This makes it very attractive to many industries such as banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and the public sector. FlowShare can be used without extensive training and employees can share their knowledge easily. Our tool is ideal for complex transformation projects, onboarding and introducting new software such as SAP. It can make processes transparent and create training documents 'on the fly'.
From founding your startup to now - what were the most important lessons?
We decided from the start that we wanted to build a product not a service, which has pros and cons. One disadvantage was revenue and funding, and it took us much longer to become profitable. The funding schemes allowed us to focus on product development. While financial support is essential for innovation, work on the business model cannot come to a standstill. To this end, we received support from accelerator programmes, which has boosted our development and turnover.
Financing is vital when setting up a company. How did you tackle this issue?
As a bootstrapped startup, we had to rely on additional income for many years. Milestones were facilitated by lenders who believed in us and our idea. We also received research funding, starting with InnoRampUp from Innovationsstarter Hamburg/IFB, European SME Innovation Associate Programme, and later a joint project. This enabled us to become profitable and achieve healthy growth. We are now pursuing our next milestone. We have focussed a lot on investor readiness in recent months. The important thing is to know your figures. This professionalises the company, regardless of whether you are looking for an investor.
What tips do you have for (future) startup founders?
Take advantage of the opportunities for founders! They open doors and are very, very helpful. Go beyond Hamburg. If your business model can work worldwide, seize offers by the AI.STARTUP.HUB or the German Accelerator, which support internationalisation. We took this step years after founding the company. The insights we gained in just a few weeks in Silicon Valley, for instance, would have taken us months, if not years, here.
What was it like for you to set up in Hamburg? What offers in the startup ecosystem helped you?
Hamburg has plenty to offer founders. You just have to know where to start. Addresses such as Betahaus provide initial contacts, events by the Hamburg Investors Network help with visibility. When it comes to information about founding and funding programmes, platforms like Startupcity Hamburg offer a great overview. The InnoRampUp scheme by the Innovationsstarter Hamburg was a real game changer in terms of financial support. The events organised by Hamburg@Work and Hamburg Startups have really expanded our network. In recent months, we have benefited from the AI Accelerator of the AI.STARTUP.HUB, where we have found a long-term advisor and new premises in a strong and ambitious community.
Many thanks for the interview, Sofia, and for your time and insights into your development. We wish you continued success with FlowShare!
