Today's Deep-Dive: Invest in indielux
Ep. 04

Today's Deep-Dive: Invest in indielux

Episode description

https://www.indielux.com/investieren

Download transcript (.srt)
0:00

Okay, so get this right, there's this company,

0:02

they're called IndieLux, and they're based in Germany.

0:05

Okay, I'm familiar with Germany, of course,

0:07

but not this company, what do they do?

0:09

So they're all about solar power, but like, with a twist.

0:13

Imagine, ugh, it's like this,

0:16

you know those balcony power plant setups?

0:18

Yeah, I've heard that term thrown around,

0:20

balcony craft work, it's like small scale solar

0:22

for apartments and such, right?

0:24

Exactly, that's what IndieLux is into.

0:26

But what's wild is they're making it crazy simple.

0:29

Their website makes it sound as easy as plugging in like,

0:32

I don't know, a toaster.

0:33

Hmm, bold claim.

0:35

But honestly, making solar that user friendly would be huge.

0:38

People are more conscious of green energy than ever,

0:41

but the tech can be intimidating.

0:43

No, for sure.

0:44

And that's where IndieLux seems different.

0:45

But before we go full solar nerd on this,

0:48

what's the big deal about this company specifically?

0:51

Why are WE doing a deep dive on them?

0:55

Well, from what I'm seeing on their site,

0:56

they're not just some new kid on the block, you know?

0:59

They've been at this for a while, which in the tech world,

1:02

that's saying something.

1:03

OK, so spill the tea.

1:04

What's their story?

1:05

Well, they've been ahead of the curve for a while now.

1:07

Back in 2014, get this, they patented a tool-free mounting

1:12

system for their panels.

1:14

2014.

1:14

Well, that's forward thinking.

1:16

Right.

1:16

Most companies were still figuring out

1:18

how to make the panels themselves back then,

1:20

and IndieLux was already thinking

1:21

about user friendly installation.

1:23

OK, color me impressed.

1:25

So it's not just about the tech itself.

1:27

They're thinking about the whole experience.

1:29

But hold on, back in 2014, were these balcony setups even legal?

1:33

I feel like there were a lot of regulations around solar

1:36

back then.

1:36

That's the really interesting part.

1:38

They were actually instrumental in changing German regulations

1:41

to allow for these smaller setups.

1:43

Wait, are you serious?

1:44

Yeah.

1:45

Imagine being so passionate about your product

1:47

that you actually help rewrite the rulebook that's IndieLux.

1:51

This founder sounds like a total rock star.

1:53

What's their deal?

1:54

He's a regenerative energy engineer.

1:55

And let me tell you, his passion for democratizing energy

1:59

production really comes through in everything they do.

2:01

I'm picking up what you're putting down.

2:03

So it's not just business for them, it's personal.

2:06

But let's dive into the nitty gritty of their tech

2:09

for a second.

2:09

They've got this ready-to-plugin system, right?

2:12

Right, it's one of their big selling points.

2:14

So my question is, and maybe this is obvious,

2:18

but why not just go for bigger panels if you want more power?

2:22

What's so special about their system?

2:24

Ah, that's where things get interesting.

2:26

It's not always about going bigger.

2:28

Sometimes it's about being smarter.

2:30

Think about it like this.

2:32

You wouldn't plug 10 space heaters into one outlet, right?

2:35

Oh, wow.

2:36

That's asking for a disaster.

2:37

Exactly.

2:38

Larger solar panels on a balcony can actually

2:40

pose a similar risk to your home's wiring.

2:43

You could overload your circuits.

2:44

OK, now it's making sense.

2:46

Too much of a good thing, I guess.

2:47

Exactly.

2:48

So IndieLux's ready-to-plugin system

2:50

is designed to provide higher wattage, up to 2,000 watts,

2:53

without overloading your circuits.

2:55

It's like they've engineered a safety net right

2:57

into the system.

2:58

So more power, but safely.

3:01

That's reassuring, especially for something

3:04

you might be installing yourself.

3:05

And I see on their website, they even

3:07

got a chart comparing their tech to competitors.

3:09

I always find those interesting.

3:11

What's the verdict?

3:11

It's clear they're not just trying

3:13

to be the cheapest option out there.

3:15

Their focus seems to be on striking that balance.

3:17

Accessible, powerful, but also responsible solar technology.

3:22

Smart.

3:23

They've really thought this through.

3:25

But here's the thing.

3:26

They're pretty upfront about looking for investors, right?

3:30

That's a big part of why their website exists.

3:32

Why now, though?

3:33

What's the play?

3:34

Yeah.

3:35

I mean, it's not exactly subtle, is it?

3:37

They're putting it out there, that's for sure.

3:38

So what's the grand plan?

3:40

Are they just trying to, I don't know,

3:41

sell a zillion of these balcony setups and call it a day?

3:45

Or is there something bigger going on?

3:47

Well, if you dig a little deeper into their website,

3:50

no pun intended, it seems like they're

3:52

aiming for something a bit more ambitious.

3:56

OK, I'm intrigued.

3:57

Laid on me.

3:58

Ambitious how?

3:59

They're talking about building a whole ecosystem

4:02

around this ready-to-plug-in technology.

4:04

Hold up, a whole ecosystem?

4:06

That's a pretty big step up from just selling these plug

4:09

and play panels, isn't it?

4:10

It is, but think about it.

4:12

They're not just talking about manufacturing.

4:14

They want to partner with distributors,

4:16

create a network of installers,

4:17

even ramp up their software capabilities

4:20

the whole nine yards.

4:22

Wow, so they're not just thinking about the tech itself.

4:24

They want to change the whole landscape

4:27

of how we access and use solar energy.

4:30

Exactly, and honestly, that kind of disruption,

4:33

that's what really gets investors excited.

4:35

Because it's not just about making a quick buck, right?

4:37

Right, this is about backing a vision,

4:39

supporting a complete shift in the energy sector,

4:42

long game stuff.

4:44

Okay, I can see that.

4:45

It's almost like, I don't know if this analogy works,

4:47

but it's like, they want to be the Android of solar panels.

4:50

I get what you mean.

4:51

An open platform that other companies can build on,

4:54

that's a bold move, for sure.

4:56

But is it realistic?

4:58

That's the million dollar question.

4:59

Yeah, that's what I'm wondering,

5:00

because we're not just talking about

5:02

tweaking a design or something.

5:03

This would require a massive overhaul.

5:06

Infrastructure, consumer behavior, regulations.

5:10

All of it, and let's not forget,

5:11

convincing investors to buy into this vision

5:14

and put their money where their mouth is,

5:16

it's a long shot.

5:18

It sounds like a wild ride,

5:19

both for IndieLux and anyone who invents in them.

5:21

Absolutely, but even with the risks,

5:23

you gotta admit, there's something kind of inspiring

5:26

about their story, right?

5:27

Totally.

5:28

It's refreshing to see a company so gung-ho

5:32

about making a positive impact.

5:34

They're not just trying to line their pockets.

5:36

It's refreshing, isn't it?

5:37

And you can tell it's not just a marketing ploy.

5:39

They walk the walk.

5:40

Remember how they pushed for those

5:41

regulatory changes in Germany?

5:44

That takes serious commitment.

5:45

They're not just talking the talk.

5:46

They're out there doing the work.

5:47

Exactly, and that kind of proactive approach,

5:50

that's what sets them apart.

5:51

A lot of companies would just wait

5:53

and see how the market evolves.

5:55

But IndieLux, they're out there shaping the market

5:58

to fit their vision.

5:59

Love that.

6:00

Okay, I'm getting a little fired up here.

6:02

This is way bigger than just some company-hawking

6:05

solar panels.

6:06

This is about a fundamental change in how we view energy.

6:09

But you know, all this talk about changing the world,

6:12

it's easy to get swept up in the hype.

6:13

What about the potential downsides?

6:15

What could go wrong?

6:16

Oh, for sure.

6:17

Anytime you're talking about a venture this ambitious,

6:19

there are inherent risks.

6:21

Scaling up an operation like this takes serious capital,

6:25

and there's no guarantee of success.

6:27

So even if their tech is sound,

6:29

the market might not play ball.

6:31

Exactly, and the renewable energy sector

6:33

is getting more competitive by the day.

6:35

Investors are gonna be looking at everything,

6:38

their financials, their team,

6:40

the regulatory landscape, the competition.

6:43

It's a lot to juggle.

6:44

So it's not a sure bet by any stretch of the imagination?

6:48

No, not at all, but there's something about Indilex's story

6:51

that's just, I don't know, it's exciting, you know?

6:54

I get it, it's like they've tapped into something

6:55

bigger than themselves.

6:57

It's not just about selling a product,

6:58

it's about hope, isn't it?

7:01

The idea that we can actually change things for the better.

7:04

It is, it's inspiring, but it also begs the question,

7:08

what can our listeners do with all this, right?

7:11

Not everyone's about to start a solar company.

7:13

Right, but maybe they don't have to.

7:15

IndieLux is almost a case study, you know?

7:18

It proves something is possible.

7:19

Totally, and they're not even operating in Silicon Valley

7:22

or some tech hub, if it can happen in Germany.

7:25

It can happen anywhere.

7:25

So for our listener who's fired up right now,

7:28

but maybe feeling a little lost, what's a good first step?

7:31

Aside from checking their local zoning laws,

7:33

which, let's be honest, sounds kind of boring.

7:36

Well, what struck me about IndieLux wasn't just the tech,

7:38

but how they built that whole network.

7:41

The partnerships, the installers,

7:43

it takes a village, right?

7:44

Ooh, I like where you're going with this.

7:46

Find your people.

7:48

Are there sustainability groups in your town?

7:51

Online forums for this stuff?

7:52

Even just asking around at a hardware store

7:55

can be eye-opening.

7:56

I love that.

7:57

You never know who you'll meet.

7:58

Maybe there's already a Balkan craft work enthusiast

8:01

down the street and you just haven't bumped into them yet.

8:02

Exactly.

8:03

And even if it's starting smaller,

8:05

just becoming more mindful of your own energy use,

8:08

it all adds up.

8:09

Those small changes can have a ripple effect.

8:12

If IndieLux can shake up the energy sector,

8:15

imagine what a bunch of motivated listeners can do, right?

8:18

Now you're talking.

8:18

That's the kind of energy we need.

8:20

See what I did there?

8:21

Okay, I'll stop.

8:22

But seriously, this has been an awesome deep dive

8:25

from a company website to the future

8:29

of how we power our lives.

8:30

The pleasure was all mine, truly.

8:32

keep those brains be-buzzing and stay curious.

8:32

keep those brains be-buzzing and stay curious.