Kevin Marty, you set up your own company in 2022 and have been successfully operating in the market since then. What makes Eauvation successful?  

Eauvation is characterized by a combination of innovation and pragmatism. As a small company with a clear digital orientation we are continuously working on optimizing our processes through the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

At the same time, Eauvation remains pragmatic and only uses the tools that have been proven to benefit our customers or our company. This enables us to work efficiently and purposefully without wasting unnecessary resources.

What obstacles had you not expected when setting up your company? 

Above all, I underestimated the administrative work involved in setting up and running a company. For example, we need more time for simple administrative activities than planned, instead of generating added value for customers or advancing the company.

Looking back, what would you as a founder do differently today?

I advise all company founders to invest more time in evaluating the basics. Which ERP system do we want to use? And what about the IT infrastructure? How will we organize our accounting? Because to be honest, looking back, it was down to chance and quite a bit of luck that we made the right decisions.

What'is the biggest challenge at the moment?

My biggest challenge right now is setting the right priorities. I've learned that this is an important key to success. There are plenty of tasks that need to be done. You could work day and night. But there's no point. It's important to strike a balance. Specifically, this means setting priorities so as to both increase productivity and avoid overloading employees. This requires careful planning, which we continuously adjust.  

Why did you choose the Institute for Start-ups (IFJ) and Helvetia as partners?  

Simple, fast, clear and digital – these were the main reasons why Eauvation chose IFJ and Helvetia. There are numerous providers out there, but I particularly appreciate the straightforward, transparent and digital solutions from IFJ and Helvetia. These characteristics enable an efficient and flexible way of working, which is crucial in today's business world. 

One small tip: at first, I didn't consider insurance and pension provision to be particularly urgent topics. However, I've realized that these are two key areas and therefore advise everyone to deal with them at an early stage. If you fail to do so, you're taking an unnecessary risk that won't pay off. I recommend that anyone with limited experience in this area should seek support. Helvetia proved to be an ideal partner for me.   

If you could give other company founders a tip,. what would it be? 

Never lose the joy of learning new things. As a company founder, you have to constantly acquire new knowledge. Also, stay optimistic even in difficult times, and motivate your employees to do their best.