Interview with Wolfram Uerlich
Our alumnus Wolfram Uerlich (Master Supply Chain Management, class of 2017) is the founder and managing director of goFLUX Mobility GmbH. The Cologne-based start-up operates a ride-sharing app for commuters, inner-city journeys and other short trips. We spoke to Wolfram about his idea to improve urban transportation, about the location of his start-up in Cologne and about his studies. He also gives good tips for life and career.
We digitise available seats in cars that would otherwise become so-called 'empty runs'.
Dear Wolfram, what was your motivation for founding goFLUX? How did the idea come about?
The idea came to me from a personal experience: when I was still a student, I noticed that the 142 bus route towards Ehrenfeld was so overcrowded that the doors barely closed, while there were dozens of cars on Innere Kanalstraße, most of which were occupied by just one person. A picture that I have actually seen every day in Cologne's road traffic and which unfortunately has not changed so far. It simply shows an imbalance that had enormous potential even back then, but for which there was obviously no solution. Back then, I also often used carpooling for long distances and asked myself why it wasn't also possible on short or classic commuting routes.
Then I started looking into it and my goal was, and still is, to reorganize urban transport and improve it using existing resources. I also wanted to create an innovative and simple mobility option and relieve the burden on commuters.
How does the goFLUX app work?
First of all, it is important to differentiate ourselves from the classic "carpooling". This has been around for many years for long distances. And the name says it all - it is intended for occasional use.
With goFLUX, we have developed an app that makes it as easy as possible for users to offer and book rides in just a few seconds. We have developed an algorithm and features that have never been seen before and that pick up people with their specific needs. Our ride-sharing app is, among other sustainable offers, a possibility that can meet the daily mobility needs.
This is how it works:
- When you open the app, you can define a starting point and destination.
- Then you set a date and time and decide whether you want to offer or book a ride.
- You can offer rides either spontaneously or in advance. In addition, you can set not only one-off trips, but also regular trips. This makes commuting easier, as you can set very individually on which days and at which times you go where. You can also remain flexible, because your decisions take priority when planning.
- If you want to travel via goFlux, you can also use the start and destination field or the "Nearby" feature. With just a few clicks, you can book and track your pick-up vehicle live as soon as it's on its way. The great thing is that our matching algorithm brings people together without any detours, so you don't have to talk about a "suitable" pick-up location in advance.
- It's also possible to set different preferences, e.g. that you only want to ride with women.
- Billing and payment are done automatically via the app. Passengers pay 15 cents per kilometre, and the price is even lower for longer distances. We receive 15% as commission so that our platform can pay for itself.
Today, no one can ignore climate protection. We are glad that we have tackled this issue in conjunction with innovative mobility.
What is the benefit for the environment / sustainability and digitalisation?
When it comes to this question, I always immediately think of our vision: "Imagine having the perfect sustainable mobility solution available to you everywhere and at all times at your fingertips." With the goFLUX app and other mobility solutions, we want to make this vision a reality. The mobility needs of the people are becoming more and more individual and we want to fulfil them, together with other sustainable offers.
Those who use the goFLUX app not only have their own advantages, but also always do something good for our entire system: for the environment and for society. Every booking ensures that private journeys are better utilised, thereby reducing congestion and emissions. Both drivers and passengers can travel flexibly, cheaply and sustainably.
Commuters save on fuel costs and organise their journeys without much effort. We digitise available seats in cars that would otherwise become so-called "empty runs". If you look at the statistics - each car is occupied by only 1.5 people on average - we realise the enormous potential that we can use for ourselves together, without additional hardware, and in the simplest way possible.
Today, climate protection is simply no longer an option for anyone. We are glad that we have tackled this issue in connection with innovative mobility.
Cologne is an open-minded city that has ambition for sustainability.
What role did the founding city Cologne played for you?
Although I originally come from Bonn, I have felt very connected to Cologne for a long time. I studied here, have built up my network of friends for many years and enjoy living here.
More than that and especially for start-ups, Cologne offers many advantages: A good infrastructure, support opportunities via the university and Gateway. It also has a very good start-up network, with many other start-ups and investors. For our business model, there are many exciting key companies that we can work with in the B2B sector. And finally, Cologne is an open-minded city that has ambition for sustainability.
Where will goFLUX be in three years? What is your goal for the future?
We now want to make our app successful in the regional area for the time being. It made sense for us to have a local focus and to grow from there. Our current focus is Cologne, the Rhineland and North Rhine-Westphalia. As soon as possible, we would like to be available in many other German cities and regions, and then - quite clearly - Europe!
Which blogs, podcasts, social media channels etc. do you follow to stay up to date?
I mainly listen to Philipp Westermeyer's OMR podcast. Here I learn a lot about digital marketing and stay up to date on other topics that interest me and that I enjoy.
Otherwise, of course, I also use many classic media, such as daily newspapers (Kölner Stadtanzeiger for local and regional news, the FAZ and the Welt) and then read specifically about mobility and sustainability.
I studied business administration with a focus on supply chain management and from that I draw a lot of experience in the area of processes and business organisation.
What are the most important learnings and insights from your graduate degree for your job today?
I studied business administration with a focus on supply chain management, which gave me a lot of experience in the area of processes and business organisation. How do I map processes and organise them efficiently so that they work as well as possible? This is especially important and helpful when setting up and managing a company. I also studied behavioural economics during my studies - how do people make their decisions and how can we set incentives so that they take certain actions? That has a big influence on our product development.
The intuition and the heart usually know which way to go, and that's the right way in the end.
What advice would you like to give to our students? What are your three tips?
Business students often talk about having a very good CV, doing a lot of internships, graduating in the standard period of study and pursuing the "right" career. So they have high expectations of themselves and of what should happen in the future. I can highly recommend to enjoy your studies and your life. It's no problem to study a semester longer, because you gain valuable experience. That's what I did - and it was definitely the right decision.
I think it's all about taking the pressure off yourself, because it only blocks you.
And as far as career in particular is concerned: Here, I also always decide in such a way that I feel comfortable with it in my current life. What good is it if I work hard for 10 years towards something if I have no private life and no free time and can't enjoy it? I can't get that time back. I think it is helpful to develop a better and better gut feeling and let it make decisions.
Of course, the rational level is not irrelevant and financial components play a role in choosing a career, but the intuition and the heart usually know which way to go and that is the right way in the end.
Thank you very much for the interview!
Interview: Ayla Wisselinck