Robert Richter, CEO WERK1, has fun at work. “I actually still go in with a grin every morning. And leave with a grin in the evening.” No wonder, he has been working at one of the most exciting places in Werksviertel for several years now: at WERK1. Since 2013, WERK1 has been home to the digital start-up scene and the blueprint for the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy’s Gründerland Bayern initiative. For up to two years, young tech companies at WERK1 are not only provided with affordable office space, but also supported in their development through networking and community offers as well as coaching and mentoring. In the summer of 2023, one year after Robert became CEO of WERK1, his job has become even more exciting.
His story: With WERK1.4, WERK1 not only gained even more office space, but also a co-living area with 63 small apartments where founders or their employees can live for up to six months. The WERK1 concept was already ingenious beforehand. Above all, the new co-living options at WERK1.4 are the icing on the cake for Robert in the ever-competitive Munich rental market: “International companies and specialists who want to come to Germany can now dock with us at WERK1 much more easily and quickly. I hope that this will make us a hub for the internationalization of start-ups in Bavaria and that we can promote international technological exchange.” Often enough, founders from different countries work on similar topics. So why shouldn’t they join forces to see if they can reach their goal faster together? At WERK1 and WERK1.4, such collaborations are now much less complicated. Easier access to the Munich housing market via WERK1.4 could also help to better cushion the shortage of skilled workers in the future, which the start-up scene will also feel more and more.
When he thinks of the past construction period, Robert first thinks of change: “The building has evolved every day – an exciting time!” But of course it was also exhausting when the office chair sometimes became a massager due to the vibrations. “But that’s part of it.” Especially as his biggest worry has vanished into thin air. The heart of WERK1 has always been the café, where, firstly, Stefano conjured up the best espresso and cappuccino, and secondly, which perfectly captured the spirit of optimism of the start-up center, the unfinished, the nascent. Even without the old patina, would the café become a connecting hub for the founders and a lively meeting place for the settlers in Werksviertel-Mitte? If you look at the queue that forms in front of the WERK1 café bar at lunchtime and the hustle and bustle at the tables in the new Schlosserpassage, the coffee still seems to taste good. If you like, you should see for yourself. And before you do, be sure to take a look at the event calendar on the werk1.com website. The Afterwerk, Founders’ Poker and Startup Demo Nights are exciting events that are also open to external guests.
What’s your favorite place in the city? The Fitzroy here at the Adina Hotel. It’s so beautiful when the sun goes down in the evening and you look out over the whole city and the lights.
What do you like most about your city? I’m actually still more of a country person, which is why I don’t live directly in Munich, but in Solln. Why I’m still happy in Munich: It’s still the biggest village in the world. You have so many tech companies here and lots of people with a great mindset. And yet the city is totally green and has an Italian flair.
What don’t you like so much about your city? I don’t think it’s fair that certain modes of transport are being pushed out of the city in Munich without the public transport system having been sufficiently expanded. Although people whose work helps the city to function at all are still urgently dependent on them.
What time of day do you prefer to be out and about in the city? I’m more alert and productive in the evening. And I like driving through the city in the evening when there is less traffic and all the lights are on. If it’s still warm enough outside that you can still go to the beer garden … that’s perfect.
