Coffee machines are everywhere — but the real problem often isn’t hardware. It’s the missing access to truly great coffee, consistently. In this episode we talk with Dominik Maier, co-founder of nunc, about CoffeeTech, building hardware like a modern product company, and creating a brand that combines experience, community, and hospitality.

Dominik shares how nunc started with a 100-day discovery phase, why they refuse to think in “hardware vs. software”, and how they built an espresso experience that stays ritual-based — while offering a guaranteed great result when you want it.

In this episode:

- Why “a better machine” misses the point — and what “access to great coffee” really means

- From advising ventures to going all-in: skin in the game & learn-it-all thinking

- Hardware development with a software mindset: early prototypes, long cycles, fast learning

- Instant On, assisted espresso, and the balance between ritual and reliability

- Go-to-market: roadshows, CRM/email, social — and virtual demos that actually convert

- Direct-to-consumer as a principle: brand as an experience journey, not a one-off sale

- Respecting the value chain: tipping/donations directly to farmers

- “Unreasonable Hospitality”: why brands should be great hosts

Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Why it’s not just about a coffee machine
01:22 – Who is Dominik Maier & what is nunc?
03:23 – Stepping onto the field: skin in the game
05:05 – Hardware startup reality: complexity & long cycles
06:41 – 100-day discovery: need before solution
08:26 – Vision picture & partners (incl. Phoenix Design)
10:15 – Lean offering: early prototypes, then 3 years of reality
12:12 – Instant On & customer value over tech theatre
13:27 – “Island development” & putting it on the table
15:21 – Shipping, preorders & production ramp-up
17:57 – D2C & brand as an experience journey
18:40 – Marketing mix: roadshows, CRM, social
20:42 – Virtual demos: experience without tasting?
22:13 – Approachability & authenticity as positioning
26:51 – Target group: great coffee without a new hobby
31:49 – “Guaranteed great” workflow & milk perfection
35:03 – Studios, events & “showroom at home”
38:12 – Scaling: focus before going global
41:03 – Value chain & donations to farmers
42:26 – Coffee, subscriptions & smart replenishment
44:12 – Sharing coffee like music: recipes & a social layer
49:05 – Non-negotiables vs. flexible paths: vision & learning loops
52:45 – The rollercoaster, circle of trust & learn-it-all
55:41 – Unreasonable Hospitality