Foundation of the month: nono

What does your company stand for?

At nono, we are passionate about the digitalisation of amateur sport, with a particular focus on promoting digital payment methods in clubs. We understand that many sports clubs struggle with limited resources, time and volunteer structures. Our mission with nono is to create a future where clubs can easily and cost-effectively adopt digitalisation. By introducing digital payment systems, we want to take much of the administrative burden off clubs’ shoulders. Our commitment is based on the principles of transparency, innovation and gratitude. Clubs have made us what we are, so we want to enable them to strengthen and facilitate their role as social pillars and links in the community.

Where and how did you get the brilliant idea to found the company?

In May last year, Jonas and Ergin had the opportunity to visit Israel as part of a Start-up Tour with the Pioniergarage. The diversity and progress they saw in the field of payments and digitalisation was overwhelming. Particularly impressed by the innovative payment systems, they asked themselves the question that eventually became the core of our start-up: “Why isn’t it possible to pay cashless at sports club events?” We couldn’t let go of this question and, while still in Israel, we began to develop our first ideas and to concretise our visions and dreams. This was the moment that ignited the spark that led us to pursue our idea – slowly but surely. However, it took some time before the three of us, now including Pascal, really got together. Our first meeting was in October and it was immediately clear that we had to do this together! From that point on, nono was no longer just an idea, but a real mission to change the way payments are handled in sports clubs.

How did the founding team come together?

We are all Masters students at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, where we met. We got on well right from the start, but had no intention of starting a company together. The idea came about when Jonas and Ergin went on a trip to Israel. Inspired by their experiences, they came to the conclusion that our team definitely needed a third person and agreed that Pascal was the perfect candidate. After some persuasion, Pascal agreed to join us. Now the three of us really feel complete.

Where do you see the hurdles in the start-up process? Where did you get support?

We encounter hurdles almost every day. Hardly a day goes by when we are not faced with the challenge of finding a solution to a particular problem. However, the key to success is to focus on the next necessary step, be it writing an email, making a phone call or applying for a competition like GROW. This is how we build momentum in our start-up process.
Our support is diverse and comes from many different sources. We benefit enormously from the expertise of our mentors and coaches, who have extensive knowledge in their respective fields. We take their advice seriously, consider it carefully and make the best possible decisions.