MALU wins the 5-Euro Business Competition

Marvin Erhard and Luka Marquardt started their first business in November 2022. As participants in the 5-Euro Business Competition, the two sports economists have taken on the topic of "back pain". The reason for back pain is often quickly identified: too little exercise and strengthening exercises for the trunk area, as well as constant sitting in everyday life, for example at work. The two athletes Erhard and Marquardt know: "Heat can help quickly and in a targeted way. The idea of a heat belt was born."

The MALU heat belt, which the two students developed during the past semester, relieves back pain with an integrated and replaceable heat pad. The belt is adjustable in size and thus flexible, for different areas, both on the go and at home. Compared to gel-based heat pads or heat plasters, the young entrepreneurs rely on certified organic fillers made from spelt seeds and rapeseed from the Schlingemann mill in Waltrop, which are even of food quality.

The belt was developed in December 2022 with established craftsmanship from Bayreuth: on the recommendation of Matthias Pöllmann, managing director of 2P Fashion GmbH, a fabric from the SEAQUAL initiative was used for the outer layer of the belt, which consists of 55% recycled marine plastic. At the same time, the outer materials are soft and durable.

"Whether it's the logo design by the advertising agency Feuerpfeil, the advice from the sports physician Peter Ovelhey or the support of the Rehateam Nordbayern - it's impressive how many companies and people help us with the implementation. This motivates us to push our 5-Euro-Business further," says Luka Marquardt.

Within three weeks, the first prototype could be offered on the homepage.

At the finals of the 5-Euro Business Competition, Marquard and Erhard were able to convince the jury and took first place with MALU Polarfuchs. A total of 14 teams entered the competition at the University of Bayreuth. During the semester, the students had taken accompanying seminars on marketing, project management and law.

Further information at www.malu-polarfuchs.de