Founder of the month: Charge Circle

22.06.2026 Aline Kinzie Founder of the month

Why build new charging points when there are already so many? This is precisely the question Joshua Enahoro and Sinah-Nikola Enahoro are asking with their start-up, Charge Circle. The team, having its roots at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, connects private charging points at logistics depots with electric lorry fleets, thereby creating a digital network for shared charging. Their aim is to make the expansion of the charging infrastructure faster and more efficient.

Charge Circle brings together two groups that have previously had little in common: logistics companies with electric lorries and depot operators with their own charging infrastructure. Using virtual clusters and intelligent route planning, the startup ensures that charging processes can be planned more effectively and that existing capacity is not left unused. This creates a business model that benefits both sides – and is designed to drive the mobility transition forward at the same time.

In conversation with host Daniela, founder Sinah-Nikola Enahoro explains how she and her husband Joshua built up the company, why the real transformation in the logistics sector begins in people’s minds, and why trust is often more important than technology. She also explains why Charge Circle creates a genuine win-win-win situation for everyone involved. You can find the full interview on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

What does your company stand for?

Long-term charging partnerships for the shared use of privately operated lorry charging infrastructure.

Where and how did you come up with the idea to set up the company?

We had initially focused on V2G, but during a visit to a customer it became clear to us that the market does not currently need this, or is not yet ready for it; rather, the lack of charging infrastructure is currently the biggest hurdle to the electrification of their fleet. Likewise, the lack of predictability and reliability when charging electric lorries is a major problem, which is primarily due to the lack of infrastructure; public charging is also a significant cost factor. It felt as though the solution was right there in front of us on a silver platter: booking and reserving charging slots, ideally at private depots, which would then also receive payment for the unused capacity of their own infrastructure.

How did the founding team come together?

We met at the Hector School of Engineering at KIT. Joshua studied Energy Engineering & Management there, and I studied Information Systems Engineering & Management. We attended the management lectures together, and that’s where we first discussed the topic (back then, of course, on a very different scale to today). Joshua focuses on the energy side of things and I come from the mobility sector – our backgrounds complemented each other perfectly.

What is your overarching vision?

That electric lorries become the norm on the roads and that all companies share their infrastructure – working together, so to speak – to make a more emission-free future possible.

Where do you see any significant hurdles in the startup process?

The first hurdle is finding the right co-founders. Every co-founder needs a clearly defined area of responsibility where they can make good use of their own strengths and where they are actually ‘needed’. The second challenge is commitment: every co-founder must be prepared to go the extra mile to drive the business forward.

This can mean late nights, financial investment, but also a willingness to adapt quickly, independently and flexibly. The third hurdle is the startup process itself; here, you need to think carefully about when to launch the business and in what form. For example, we had to postpone our launch to take part in a funding program, but if you’re looking for a VC, for instance, a specific legal structure is often required. You have to decide on a case-by-case basis what suits you best. Last but not least, you naturally need to think about the distribution of shares in the company – do you want to bring someone else on board? What percentage will they receive in return?

Where did you seek support?

We’re receiving funding through the exist program until the end of June; for this and other funding programs, we’ve received support from KIT-Gründerschmiede. We also have a mentor at KIT – a professor who’s helping us with optimisation. We’re also working with a sales consultant, independently of KIT.

What were the biggest challenges during your startup phase?

Above all, putting the team together and constantly adapting our product to the needs of the market and our customers kept us busy. As we’re still due to formally incorporate in Q3 this year, the changes that come with that will also be exciting for us. We’ll also be looking into seed investment in the autumn; we’re hoping to secure angel investment at that stage.

Are current global crises having an impact on your startup?

The situation in Iran and the resulting rise in diesel costs have definitely boosted interest in e-mobility within the logistics sector.

What are your next major milestones over the coming 12 months?

The official incorporation of our limited liability company (GmbH), over 600 daily transactions on 250 days a year, and the finalisation of key partnerships.

In your view, what qualities should a founder have?

Flexibility, a love of the unknown and a thirst for new things, high motivation, emotional stability and patience 😉

Do you have any practical tips for other young entrepreneurs?

Don’t be too hard on yourselves. Have the courage to take the plunge. Start out on your own first and look for co-founders you really need and with whom you’re on the same wavelength. A tip from our CEO: do things that don’t scale!

Looking back now, what might you do differently?

Exactly that: find co-founders who you need and who are on the same wavelength as you! For us, that means bringing a CTO (developer) into the team much earlier so that we can test the software as early as possible.