How a car-sharing idea became an all-in-one platform

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, Patric Schneider talks in an interview about how the idea for AZOWO came about, what challenges had to be overcome, and what lessons he has learned over the past 10 years.

The original idea arose directly from our everyday work; at the time, there were three of us founders, full of drive and ideas. We realized the enormous potential that vehicle sharing offers for companies. It was only later that the topic of fleet management came up. Our thinking was quite simple: every company with a pool of vehicles could benefit from such software. At first, we didn't think about fleet management or even car subscriptions at all; that only came about during the development process. A real highlight was the ability to open vehicles with a smartphone or even a smartwatch. Today, this is almost taken for granted, but back then it was a real “aha” moment, a small technological leap that we enthusiastically demonstrated at every product presentation.

Once our idea had taken shape, we embarked on a truly mammoth project: a 700-page specification document detailing every aspect and function of our software. We sent this document to our current CTO, and just a few days later, we spontaneously packed our bags and headed to Bratislava to take the first step toward making our dream a reality.

What followed was an exciting but also nerve-wracking time: endless investor meetings, the development of our very first prototype, and the struggle for financing, key performance indicators, and building a strong team. It quickly became clear that we couldn't get started without an investor. When we finally received a commitment from an investor, it was a decisive moment for us, the signal that our vision was more than just an idea and that we could really get started.

It's astonishing that even today, many companies still manage their fleets using Excel spreadsheets. Ten years ago, that was normal, but I would never have thought that we would still encounter this approach so frequently in 2025. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised that one of my hopes came true: vehicle data now comes directly from the manufacturers. I didn't expect telematics solutions to last so long. And one thing makes me particularly proud: the booking algorithm we wrote in the early years still works today. That speaks for the quality and sustainability of our software.

For me, the most important lesson is clear: without a strong team, there can be no lasting success. People who pull together, question ideas, and drive each other forward. That is the true basis for success. I have also learned that genuine demand cannot be talked into existence. Either it is there or it isn't. It cannot be artificially created or forced. That's why we try to find out exactly what the customer really needs at the beginning with our needs analysis, so that we can then offer them an individual solution that covers all their needs. The direct line to our customers is also invaluable. Regular discussions give us insights that no statistics can provide. They help us to identify needs early on and to correctly assess developments. Nothing can replace this personal exchange; it is our radar for the future.

Looking five years ahead, I see AZOWO as an established player in the market, bigger, more relevant, and even more international. Our goal is clear and ambitious: we want to become to mobility what SAP is to enterprise software—the standard that no one can ignore. With our strong team, we want to support companies in their transformation and digitalization and lead them into the future of mobility.

AZOWO is celebrating its 10th anniversary! New customers who sign up by October 31, 2025, will receive a 10% discount on all packages (except Basic versions).