Interview: Every McDonald's Employee in Germany Uses This Founder's App – Flip Founder & CEO Benedikt Brand

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About this episode

Benedikt Brand, Co-Founder and CEO of Flip, has written an impressive success story: his app is now used by every McDonald's employee in Germany. Flip has established itself as the leading solution for digitizing deskless workers – those millions of employees who don't sit at a desk daily but work in production, retail, or hospitality.

The Overlooked Target Group of Deskless Workers

For a long time, deskless workers were overlooked by digitization efforts. These employees – from production workers to retail associates – often had no direct access to modern communication tools. Flip recognized this gap early and developed a platform that enables companies to reach and engage their employees more efficiently.

Benedikt's motivation stems from recognizing that this worker group creates enormous value for companies but was often left behind technologically. With Flip, he created an intuitive solution that even less tech-savvy employees can use seamlessly.

From First Pilot Customers to Global Expansion

Flip's journey exemplifies how a startup can evolve from initial pilot projects to become a market leader. Close collaboration with early customers was crucial – Flip worked together with pilot customers to continuously improve the product and adapt it to real needs.

Today, Flip generates over 50% of its revenue internationally. However, this internationalization brings its own challenges: understanding new markets, considering local particularities, and maintaining consistent product quality. Flip strategically uses partner networks to accelerate expansion and leverage local expertise.

Leadership Principles for Sustainable Growth

Benedikt focuses on high intensity and clear visions to motivate and lead his team. Three factors are particularly important: commitment, willingness to change, and strong company culture. These principles help maintain direction even during rapid growth phases.

An interesting aspect is Benedikt's approach to balancing experience and motivation within the team. While experienced employees bring valuable know-how, highly motivated but less experienced team members can often make the difference – especially in dynamic startup phases.

Customer Success as a Differentiator

From the beginning, Flip focused on a simple, intuitive user experience. This was crucial for reaching employees who don't work with technology daily. Continuous close collaboration with customers ensures the product is constantly improved and solves real problems.

A particular "luxury problem" arises when large customers make requests that are actually too big for current capacity. This requires strategic communication and a thoughtful approach to leverage these opportunities without overwhelming the company.

Fundraising and Sustainable Growth

Flip has raised over 60 million euros in funding. Benedikt's approach to fundraising is very targeted: he selects investors who can provide not just capital, but also active support and real added value.

In the current market phase, Flip places special emphasis on clear KPIs and the path to profitability. Burn rate management is becoming increasingly important, and the company balances between continued growth and sustainable business development.

Enterprise Sales and Future Prospects

Benedikt shares valuable learnings about enterprise sales – a critical success factor for B2B companies like Flip. Selling to large enterprises requires different strategies and longer sales cycles, but also offers more stable and larger revenue potential.

The future prospects for Flip are promising: with a proven platform, international presence, and a clearly defined target group, the company is well-positioned for continued growth. The digitization of deskless workers is still in its early stages – Flip has established itself as a pioneer in this important market.

Conclusion

Benedikt Brand's story with Flip demonstrates how important it is to identify overlooked target groups and address them with thoughtful solutions. His focus on clear vision, strong company culture, and close customer collaboration offers valuable lessons for other founders looking to build sustainable businesses.