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Markus Brehler, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EnOcean GmbH, Germany
 1) Briefly tell us what it is about your company/project that makes it so special?
EnOcean enables a smarter world - as any smart system needs multiple sensors as eyes and ears. We revolutionize wireless sensors by supplying systems without batteries and therefore without the need for maintenance. Our groundbreaking components create energy seemingly from nothing. The slightest change in pressure, the smallest variation in temperature is enough to generate power for our ultra efficient sensors to make their readings and transmit their results.
Our strength is in the combination of two key technologies: Firstly the harvesting of energy from the environment and secondly the use of radical power management techniques that enable our devices to run on minuscule amounts of energy. The net result is that EnOcean devices do not need batteries or an external power source, they can be deployed where they are needed, without the need to schedule retrieval for battery changing. By removing the need for maintenance we have revolutionised what is possible with wireless sensors - enabling smarter systems for the world
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from around the world have taken this patented technology and used it to create devices for a diverse range of industries including building automation, industrial manufacturing and automotive technology.
2) What country best facilitates starting a tech company?
I think Germany is much better many people think:
- highly educated, hard working people
- good infrastrucure
- tighter cooperation between start-ups, leading universities and government to invent new technologies
- government support to minimize red-tape for start-ups
- large technology oriented customer base within driving distance in the Milan-Hanover corridor
What singlething can a government do to encourage Technology Pioneers?
Government can best assist start-ups through its own early adoption of technology that conserves energy and enhances quality of life.
3) What makes an innovator?
It is the unique combination of a visionary that conceives of a new idea and the committed individual with the persistence to realize that vision overcoming all obstacles along the way.
4) How does your company directly contribute to improving the state of the world?
Just two examples to outline the impact considering only EnOcean's current applications: app. 200 mill units of wall mounted switches are sold worldwide per year. The average length of the cable to connect a switch to an actuator (e.g. a bulb) is 5 m. A total substitution with radio would eliminate 1 mill kilometres of cabling per year while enhancing convenience and flexibility.
The US recently implemented the TREAD Act that mandates all new passenger cars be equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. This market is app. 20 mill cars per year. With 4 wheels equipped, 80 mill batteries have to be disposed, more than once in the lifecycle of the cars. EnOcean's technologies eliminate this hazardous disposal problem.
5) What value do you hope to gain from being a Technology Pioneer?
EnOcean intends to show the world that it is possible to enhance convenience and performance in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.
6) What do you think the role of technology should be in society?
Technology enables people to live in a more sustainable way - while enhancing the quality of life. For developed countries successful new technology is the only way to maintain today's standard of living. Society needs to support new technology and the people that devote their personal energy to this task.
7) What is the right balance in society between scientific interest and ethical concerns?
Science needs control by ethical standards. There should be a common sense in a society on a defined set of standards. In the age of globality these standards neet to take into consideration the situation in other parts of the world and they need to be re-checked regularly.
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