We are right in the thick of it - in research and project work. And we achieve our first success: drops of water roll off. And we change our name from OCTO to TEXTERIAL. We also launch the PREDROP brand. Our first water-repellent yarn will be available under the name PREDROP. And we are getting bigger, chemist Ahmed will be joining us in the summer.

The start-up project is in progress. Trials, tests and evaluations. Intensive fundamental research, organisation and many more start-up and ideas competitions. TEXTERIAL GmbH is founded. There is a lot to do. Maike joined the team in the middle of the year.

Pitch in front of EXIST jury. Sarah and Alexandra convince the jury with their idea: they receive the EXIST research transfer programme for 30 months with a funding volume of 1.8 million euros. And thus the basis for expanding OCTO key expertise: tinkering, researching, exploring new technological paths. In September 2023, Alexandra and Sarah, together with Melanie, start the EXIST Research Transfer at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences.

Business partner app: how Alexandra and Sarah get to know each other. Perfect match. The idea becomes a business plan, an application for EXIST and numerous successful business plan competitions. The confirmation: a real innovation. Registration of the German patent.

Alexandra is working on proof of feasibility as part of her research work and Master's thesis at Hochschule Niederrhein - University of Applied Sciences. Now it's clear: the idea is becoming reality.

Alexandra gets the idea and sticks to it. The effect must be transferable to textiles. And so the ball starts rolling.