A gray plastic case with plugs and sockets, all no larger than a 6-pack of eggs. To put it mildly, the invention by Johannes Mailänder and Gregor Giataganas looks rather unspectacular. The two are founders of the company Lichtwart from Herford. “We’re not from Silicon Valley, we’re from East Westphalia. Our module should be robust and reliable, not primarily look good,” says Mailänder. “The secret of the module, the electronics, is under the gray flap,” says Giataganas. The two are at the Hannover Messe, where the company presented its innovation this week. But they don’t want to talk too specifically about the secret of their invention.
The name of their start-up, founded in 2020 – Lichtwart – pretty much describes what the two want to achieve: the modules control lighting systems and outdoor lights on buildings and paths. “We only take care of the lighting that can be seen under the stars. We don’t illuminate offices or factories from the inside,” says Mailänder. The start-up already has a few customers. For example, it has equipped toilet facilities on motorways in Baden-Württemberg with its modules. They are equipped with a motion detector. “If someone approaches the facility, the light is turned up. There is always a basic level of brightness, you should be able to see where the toilet facility is,” says Mailänder. After a while, when nothing is moving, the light is then dimmed again.
The two are founders of the company Lichtwart from Herford: Johannes Mailänder and Gregor Giataganas.
(Photo: OH)
The module is controlled via a SIM card and the Telekom cloud. “Every user has access to the system via PC, tablet or smartphone,” says Giataganas. Depending on the system, the module enables energy savings of between 20 and 40 percent. Light emissions can also be reduced to the same extent. The device reports when and which part of the lighting system fails, for example the power pack with the connected LEDs or the electricity. “This means that regular inspection trips by service employees are no longer necessary, and they always have the right replacement with them,” explains Giataganas.
Depending on the model, a module costs between 700 and 1600 euros – relatively expensive for such a small part. But: “Up to 64 power supply units can be controlled with it,” says Mailänder. A good 80 modules have been sold since the market launch in 2021. They are manufactured by a supplier in East Westphalia. The founders do not want to name names. “In 2023 we will sell almost 200 modules,” says Giataganas. Lichtwart now wants to hire staff and is looking for investors. So far, the company has belonged to Mailänder, his cousin and Giataganas. You are also a shareholder in the family company Bertelmann. “I have light in my DNA,” says Mailänder. His great-grandfather Ernst Bertelmann founded the company in 1945. “He repaired lightbulbs,” says Mailänder. He later switched to neon signs. They still do that today.
Lichtwart also works for the battery company Varta: They control the illuminated logos at all branches in Germany. The module can ensure that a complete system is shut down if one part fails. “It can be embarrassing if just one letter is no longer lit,” says Mailänder. And of course he has examples ready, for example the “S” from Shell or the “Sc” from DB Schenker. Milanese and Giataganas have long since stopped being able to drive past light systems without being aware of it. They then take photos and Mailänder writes to the company. “I noticed something went wrong with you.” Not all answer.