Inception and Evolution – A Vision takes Shape

Some of our principia MBS team members can date their first touchpoint with the company back to the tech landscape of 2013. However, it was in 2021 that the business idea began to take shape, fueled by a moment of realization and shared vision encapsulated in a single phrase uttered by Co-Founder Daniel during a conversation with CEO Stefan: “Stefan, we should turn FreeDyn into a product. And agricultural technology would be awesome.”

This moment served as the kickoff for what would become principia MBS – a venture driven by innovation and a commitment to revolutionize the industry. As the wheels were set in motion, further team members were brought on board, laying the groundwork for the official establishment of principia MBS GmbH on March 22, 2023. This momentous occasion marked the culmination of years of preparation and the beginning of an exhilarating journey into the world of technology and entrepreneurship. 

“I still remember the day when Stefan called me up to discuss a revival of DisMoSim. I was ready to work on a small prototype almost immediately and haven’t stopped churning out code ever since. It was a moment that marked the beginning of an incredible journey, one filled with passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.” Paul, Fullstack Developer and Co-Founder  

A Year in Review – About Highlights, Ups and Downs

Reflecting on the past year, each team member of principia MBS embarked on a unique journey, facing distinct challenges and triumphs along the way. Despite the diversity of experiences, a shared passion and enthusiasm united us as a team, driving us towards a common goal. While not every idea could be pursued immediately, the overarching vision began to take shape, laying the foundation for future growth and success. Indeed, the inaugural year proved to be a transformative period for our company, characterized by resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. 

Our Way Sprinkled with Learnings, Milestones and Highlights

The first year of principia MBS was marked by several significant milestones that underscored the company’s progress and potential. Notable achievements included convincing one of Austria’s leading funding institutions, aws, to invest in us, in principia MBS, and convincing global player PTC to go this way strategically with us. These milestones not only validated our vision and expertise but also opened doors to new opportunities and collaborations. The launch of the principia MBS app on the PTC Appstore in July represented a major milestone for each of us providing tangible evidence of its innovation and market relevance. The efforts of the last few months began to bear fruit. We were proud.  

This achievement was further complemented by the establishment of our first company office in Linz. Also hiring our first employee in November was key, as he played a crucial role in expanding the company’s sales department and bolstering its capabilities.  

“To me, my overall highlight was our first office. Having a place where the team comes together on a regular basis is great. We had many great days there and a lot of insightful and creative discussions. That is something that virtual meetings cannot provide!” – Jakov, Head of Finance and Co-Founder 

In the same month, our CEO visited the PTC headquarters in Boston, presenting our principia MBS app – his personal highlight of the last year. On the day after his return from Boston, we were part of the Constantinus Award in the Vienna Imperial Palace, we were awarded for early that year. A further monumental highlight for the company and the whole team though, we were not able to leave the event as the winners within our category. Nevertheless, this was our first major public appearance as principia MBS team. Together with our customer, with whom we were jointly nominated we received the certificate on stage.

“One of the greatest moments for me personally was visiting PTC’s headquarters in Boston in November last year. Meeting great people there and hearing that Principia’s message already swept over the large pond (Atlantic Ocean) has been fantastic. But it wasn’t just this one trip, with attending Onshape meetings I had the opportunity to travel again (after Covid) – that was great. I’ve met so many inspiring people in all these places that I wouldn’t want to miss any of them.” – Stefan, Globetrotter, CEO and Co-Founder 

Facing Challenges and Setbacks

Despite its successes, our team – like many other start–up companies – had to contend with many challenges and setbacks. From resource constraints to realistic sales expectations, we faced obstacles that tested our resilience and determination. However, each setback served as a valuable learning opportunity, enabling our team to refine our strategies and strengthen our resolve. Indeed, adversity proved to be a catalyst for growth and innovation, fueling our resolution to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger than ever. 

“One of the downs was the difficulty to raise additional investment to grow our team and product. Despite our expectations, also the number of PTC Onshape users willing to subscribe our app was super low.” – Daniel, Jakov, Sebastian, Co-Founders 

What’s Going to Come

We celebrate our first year as principia MBS with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that the best is yet to come. As we embark on our second year, our focus remains on growth, innovation, and consolidation. We see our products seamlessly integrated into the PTC world and establishing principia MBS as a trusted partner in simulation technology. Moreover, we are committed to fostering team cohesion and camaraderie, recognizing that collective success is built on a foundation of collaboration and mutual support. As we look towards the future, we do so with optimism and resolution, knowing that the road ahead will be filled with both challenges and opportunities. Yet, with a dedicated team and a clear vision, principia MBS is poised to continue its journey towards excellence and industry leadership – and our first team BBQ in 2024. 

In this sense, stay tuned for more principia MBS