By Florian König, maut1.de - 30 July 2025
The story of maut1.de did not begin in a traditional start-up workshop - but rather in a beer garden, with a simple conversation and the vision of making mobility in Europe easier.
Nearly five years after that day, the time had come: Managing Directors Julian Schmelzer and Simon Baumgartner cut the symbolic ribbon together on 27 June 2025 to inaugurate the new company headquarters in Rosenheim's Aicherpark.
From idea to realisation: "This company was our common denominator"
Julian Schmelzer had completed an apprenticeship after school, but initially had no idea where his career path would take him.
"And if you don't know what to do, you don't do anything," says the Managing Director with a grin today.
The employment agency finally brought him to Rosenheim-based tolltickets GmbH - and it was there that he met his future founding colleague Simon Baumgartner.
"This company was our common denominator," the two say today, looking back.
Baumgartner left tolltickets back in 2017, Schmelzer stayed on for a while. But they kept in touch - they kept meeting up and exchanging ideas.
In the end, the idea of founding a company for toll processing in Europe came about in a very down-to-earth way:
"Then, over a beer in the beer garden, we thought about what we could do better," says Simon Baumgartner, describing the decisive moment.
The start in small format: "A small office with two old office chairs"
The idea quickly took shape. In autumn 2020, Schmelzer and Baumgartner presented their concept at the Stellwerk 18 digital network - and were met with great enthusiasm. Looking back, the founding team is still filled with gratitude: "You are a prime example of what Stellwerk 18 embodies," emphasised Network Manager Evi Bachmaier at the inauguration ceremony for the new location. She remembers the beginnings well: "At first, Julian Schmelzer sat alone in a small office. At some point, Simon joined full-time." Back then, a tiny office with two old office chairs served as the first headquarters.
In December 2020, maut1 GmbH was finally officially founded. "Selling the first boxes was the best feeling ever for us," recalls Schmelzer. "We were a two-man show." Baumgartner took care of the technology, Schmelzer took care of customer service - "24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether on a walk or at breakfast on a Saturday morning."
The difficult beginning: "On the brink of insolvency - and then came the turnaround"
The start-up phase was not easy. Although the customer base grew rapidly, a technical bottleneck threatened the young company's existence. "It got to the point where we were on the verge of insolvency in the very first year," reports Baumgartner. But the founders didn't give up, looked for new partners and were able to win ADAC as an important cooperation partner in the summer of 2021. This was the turning point. The first employee was hired in December 2021, followed shortly afterwards by other team members - today maut1.de employs 27 people.
The optimism was certainly advisable, as Managing Director Baumgartner emphasised: "We now have almost 200,000 customers and generated revenue of 21 million euros last year. We are simply grateful that it all worked out so well."
The new home in Aicherpark: "Highly innovative and locally connected at the same time"
After winning the prestigious Meggle Founder Award 2024, the company was looking for more space for ideas and further growth. It found what it was looking for in Rosenheim's Aicherpark. The Aicherpark interest group (IG) is delighted with the new addition. "I've already spoken to the managing directors a few times," reports IG spokesperson Harald Bühler.
Both are "highly innovative and at the same time have local ties". It is therefore not surprising that the managing directors made a conscious decision in favour of Aicherpark: "They wanted development opportunities with almost optimal connections for themselves, their customers and employees," Bühler continues. maut1 has also already pledged to join the IG. "The IG thrives on the active participation of its members and the power of innovation. Maut1 is now a new, strong member in the ranks of Aicherpark."
The product: congestion-free through Europe with a small box
The service provided by maut1.de is quickly explained - but extremely effective for anyone who appreciates trouble-free travelling: The toll box from maut1.de is mounted on the windscreen and allows drivers to use reserved lanes at toll stations in Italy, Austria, Croatia, France, Spain and Portugal - without having to pay or stop on the spot. maut1.de collects the toll charges and bills them collectively. This makes travelling more relaxed and time-saving, whether for leisure or commuting.
Networked, committed and future-oriented
Network manager Evi Bachmaier from Stellwerk 18 also recognised maut1.de's commitment to other founders: "It's really nice how you have supported others."
The success story of maut1.de shows: Innovation, local roots and the courage to break new ground lead to the goal - even if the beginning is difficult. For the team, partners, guests and the entire region, the inauguration in Aicherpark was a tangible signal of entrepreneurial spirit and the start of the next growth phase.
Conclusion
From a start-up in a beer garden to a successful company with almost 30 employees and eight-figure sales - and all in just five years. This chapter is not the end for maut1.de, but the start of even more innovation and Europe-wide mobility solutions. We would like to thank all our companions and supporters and look forward to numerous new projects in Rosenheim's most innovative mobility network!
Congratulations to the entire team - here's to many more years of successful mobility from Rosenheim, for the whole of Europe!
Further media reports (in German) can be found at https://www.rosenheim24.de/ and https://innpuls.me/ online.
