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Turning Business Ideas Into Working Digital Products

Published

4 years ago

02/16/2021

We talked to Philipp Noack, co-founder of Venture Leap, about how they managed the pandemic and created the spin-off Probatix that helped in the fight through improved management of corona test centers and this is what he said about it.

Table of Contents

To begin with, how are you doing in times of COVID-19?

Philipp Noack: The corona pandemic is a very big challenge, and like most of us in 2020, I spent a lot of time at home. My daily routine has changed a lot over the past year. To get through these unprecedented times with the least stress possible, I try to maintain existing routines as well as introduce some new ones. I believe that unfamiliar situations require familiar routines to which one can stick. Sticking to the routines makes me feel secure, stronger, and more productive. For example, regular phone calls with my team and a morning coffee in the nearby park weather permitting.

Tell us something about yourself, your background, and how you founded Venture Leap.

Philipp Noack: Daniel and I are passionate entrepreneurs and have been doing business in Germany and Europe for over ten years already. Daniel has a Ph.D in mathematics. After completing his studies, he successfully founded companies in the subscription-economy. I worked as a venture capital investor after university and have founded and co-founded various startups in Europe since 2011.

In 2019, Daniel and I decided to combine our experiences in entrepreneurship, technology, and research and founded Venture Leap. Our goal is to radically simplify the implementation of digital business models. With Venture Leap and the LEAP one platform, we want to support sustainable and innovative companies on the market.

In what way is Venture Leap innovative?

Philipp Noack: We have been involved in more than 100 projects and know why digital products succeed or fail. Based on our expertise we developed a step-by-step process that combines best practice with cutting-edge technology.

In doing so, we focus on the implementation of SME digital products and business models. Our LEAP.one web application platform provides the ideal starting point for this. Based on this innovative PaaS (Platform as a Service) solution, companies can access standardized modules and significantly accelerate their development and efficiency in establishing digital business models – whether SaaS, portal, or platform. Companies such as Bubble Box and Civical are already using the modular PaaS solution.

How is the pandemic affecting your business and how are you coping?

Philipp Noack: As a company, we have come through the past year really well, especially compared to the general economy. Our day-to-day work, however, has completely changed: Ever since the start of the corona pandemic, our employees have been free to work from home. Particularly at the start of the pandemic, I thought about what it would take to develop our own company “remotely” and to carry on the existing corporate culture in a home office; supplying the employees’ technical equipment alone would not be enough. Our employees are a central aspect in building our company so we work hard every day to create an authentic corporate culture, a common understanding, and a special feeling of belonging.

To ensure that these things don’t fall by the wayside in the home office, we’ve established some rituals. For example, daily stand-ups where the team gets together to start the day, as well as virtual coffee/lunch dates. So far, this is working out well. We’re really looking forward to post-corona when we get back together in the office. One of the good things, that came out of the pandemic was a spin-off that we launched called Probatix – a corona test center management software. Probatix is now live all across Germany and supports test centers, doctors, and pharmacies to manage their testing operations.

Did you have to make difficult decisions and what lessons have you learned?

Philipp Noack: Up until the outbreak of the coronavirus, no one could have imagined that there would be something like a nationwide lockdown and a debate about the mandatory home office.

Particularly challenging was the decision to close the office and how to find creative solutions to problems remotely. Before corona, our daily routine consisted of meetings, brainstorming, and regular after-work beers. This not only promoted team spirit but also helped develop creative ideas. Working remotely demands a lot from each individual. For example, communication channels must be carefully maintained and routines established. Otherwise, information is quickly lost.

What special tools, software, and management skills do you use to manage this crisis?

Philipp Noack: Like everyone else, we’ve relied heavily on Zoom. We’ve had daily standup sessions and increased the frequency of virtual one-on-one meetings. Outside of work, we established online “Settlers of Catan” tournaments and have been organizing regular online game nights.

Who are your competitors? And how do you plan to stay competitive?

Philipp Noack: With LEAP.one, we developed an innovative product that combines best practices and development processes with cutting edge technology. With it, we have developed the first platform system for digital services and products. Based on this innovative PaaS (Platform as a Service) solution, companies can access standardized modules and significantly accelerate the development of digital business models and increase efficiency.

At first glance, this puts us in competition with classic IT agencies that develop products and services to support and optimize customers’ business processes. At the same time, LEAP.one offers IT agencies a licensed product so that they can implement software projects faster and more efficiently on the basis of our module platform. This makes us a true innovator for the entire software market and a catalyst for the digitization of SMEs.