Philipp Möhringer 🇩🇪
- 2025
- Mar 26
- 10 min read
''Sometimes you just have to move and course-correct as you go''
Philipp is the Founder of ImmuniFriend - Bridging The Gap Between Physical Treatments And Emotional Support By Offering Structured, Psychologist-led Group Counseling Tailored For Autoimmune Patients. He has taken the challenge to answer our 20 Truth Questions, For us to gain some insight, And learn the Truth about the person behind the venture.
My TRUTH Story:
1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN THE THIRD PERSON TO A CROWD OF 10,000+ PEOPLE?
Please welcome Philipp Möhringer, an engineer by training, a founder by conviction, and someone who sees the world not just as it is, but as it could be.
After years working in international technical consulting and completing his Master’s in Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Philipp realised that true innovation does not come from perfect systems, it comes from human need.
With just an idea, a clear pain point, and the courage to act, he co-founded ImmuniFriend: the first application in Germany offering emotional and psychological group counselling specifically for people with autoimmune conditions.
Backed by the EXIST grant, part of two major accelerators, and winner of the Digital Rheumatology Network’s Startup Award, ImmuniFriend is gaining traction by doing something surprisingly rare, treating emotional wellness as an equal partner to physical care.
Philipp believes that even small interventions can change a life. And if something he builds helps just one person feel less alone, more understood, or more empowered, that is what success looks like to him. He is not here to disrupt for the sake of it. He is here to build what is missing and make it real.
2. WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF A TRUTH FOUNDER?
A Truth Founder is someone who does not just chase opportunity but responds to a real need they simply cannot ignore. For me, being a Truth Founder means seeing the world clearly, in all its complexity and still choosing to act. It means using whatever tools you have, whether it is empathy, engineering skills or entrepreneurial thinking, to create something meaningful from nothing.
3. WHAT EVENT OR EVENTS HAPPENED TO YOU THAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A FOUNDER?
There was not one dramatic “aha” moment that comes to mind, it was more like a series of quiet realisations that built over time. I have always been someone who likes to fix things. As an engineer, I was trained to look at complex problems, find inefficiencies, and make systems better. But the more I worked in structured environments, the more I saw how slow those systems could be to adapt, especially when it came to real sustainability needs.
What truly set things in motion was working on a business development project during my master's at ESCP. We were exploring ideas that combined impact with innovation and when we started building ImmuniFriend, it felt different.
Real people opened up about their struggles with autoimmune diseases. That moment, when an idea becomes a responsibility, is when you know that you want to build something of your own.
4. WHAT IS YOUR MORNING ROUTINE & RITUAL? I wish I could say I start my mornings with meditation and green juice, but honestly, it is pretty simple. I usually get up early-ish (talking 6 a.m.), have a glass of water and make a strong cup of coffee.
Usually, I give myself a quiet hour before meetings or calls begin. Before work, I like to grab a book and settle in for some reading. There is a kind of peace in those early hours. It is definitely when I do my best thinking, responding to messages, sketching out product ideas, or just writing things down that have been stuck in my head overnight. Also, you kind of feel like you have an edge on the day.
5. WHAT MANTRA,QUOTE,LINE OR PHRASE DO YOU SAY OFTEN TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE YOURSELF? One quote I always come back to is: “It’s impossible,” said pride. “It’s risky,” said experience. “It’s pointless,” said reason. “Give it a try,” whispered the heart. - unknown
That captures the inner dialogue of being a founder almost perfectly. There is a lot of doubt, hesitation and logic pulling you back, but if your heart is in it, you have to try. If I had to sum it up in my own words, it would be: Figure out what you believe in and run at it with everything you have got.
6. WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD CARE ABOUT YOUR VENTURE? Because we are addressing something that has been quietly overlooked for far too long.
Autoimmune diseases affect millions of people and yet, the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition is often ignored. Traditional healthcare systems focus on symptoms, test results and medication. But what about the loneliness? The fear? The feeling of not being understood, even by doctors?
ImmuniFriend is changing that. We are creating a space where people with autoimmune diseases can connect, speak openly and get real psychological support tailored to their experience.
People should care because this is not a niche problem, it is a massive gap in care. And when we ignore emotional health, we are missing half the picture. By supporting emotional well-being, we not only help individuals feel seen, we improve outcomes, strengthen resilience and build communities where no one feels like they have to go through it alone.
7. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE THE ONE TO MAKE YOUR VENTURE A SUCCESS?
I think I bring a rare mix of perspectives to this: I am an engineer, a sustainability strategist and a co-founder who is deeply committed to building things that matter. That combination helps me see both the human side of a problem and the system-level levers we need to move to solve it. But more than that, I care. I am building it because I truly believe this needs to exist. And I have surrounded myself with a team that feels the same.
8. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR VENTURE? ( START WITH: IMAGINE A WORLD... WHAT IF... WE WILL BE... )
Imagine a world where people with autoimmune diseases are not just treated for their symptoms, but supported as whole human beings: emotionally, mentally and socially.
What if every person diagnosed with a chronic condition had access to a community where they felt understood, empowered and not left alone?
What if emotional care was as routine as blood work or worked like medicine?
We will be the platform that helps make that vision real. ImmuniFriend will be the place people turn to when the medical system ends and real life begins, the in-between space that supports you through the hard days, the invisible struggles and the moments where just being heard changes everything.
For us, success means accompanying emotional support becoming a standard part of chronic care. It means hearing people say, “I didn’t know how much I needed this, until I had it.”
9. ANSWER THESE AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE - I BELIEVE... I DON'T BELIEVE... I believe the term sustainable means two things: creating meaningful impact (ecological + social) and building something that can stand on its own economically. The two should reinforce each other.
I believe emotional wellness should be treated with the same urgency as physical well-being.
I believe small, consistent human connection can be more healing than we realise.
I believe that systems change starts with empathy.
I don’t believe healthcare should only focus on symptoms.
I don’t believe you need to wait for permission to start building what matters.
10. WHAT'S ONE DECISION YOU MADE AS A FOUNDER THAT COMPLETELY CHANGED THE COURSE OF YOUR JOURNEY? One of the biggest decisions was choosing to turn ImmuniFriend from a university project into a real company. It started during a business development course where we explored solutions for chronic care. But the deeper we went, the more we realised this was not just a concept, it was something people truly needed.
The emotional responses we got from patients, the lack of existing support systems, it became clear that this had to exist. Applying for the EXIST grant was a defining moment. It meant going all in, committing to building the MVP, talking to psychologists, healthcare providers, and patients and essentially treating this as not just an idea, but a responsibility.
11. WHAT DO YOU REGARD AS YOUR GREATEST SUCCESS PERSONALLY & AS A FOUNDER? Personally, my greatest success has been staying committed to our mission while also being honest about what it takes to make it viable. It is one thing to care deeply about the people you are building for, but if the business cannot sustain itself, the impact will not last. Finding that balance between purpose and economic reality has been a constant challenge, but one I am proud to keep showing up for.
As a founder, it is seeing ImmuniFriend evolve from an idea into something that is real. From the EXIST grant and accelerator support to winning the Digital Rheumatology Startup Award, those milestones gave us credibility. But more importantly, they gave us momentum. And every time someone in our pilot sessions says, “This helped,” I know we are doing something right.
12. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY? I think what I like most about myself is that I do not give up easily, but I also do not cling to my ego when something needs to change. I am comfortable saying “I don’t know” or asking for help. That has been essential as a founder, because there are a hundred moments where things feel uncertain and trying to pretend you have it all figured out just will not cut it.
13. WHAT'S ONE THING YOU CAN IMPROVE ABOUT YOURSELF, AND WHY DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE NOT DONE IT BY NOW?
One thing I would like to improve is how I manage uncertainty without overthinking every possible outcome.
As someone with an engineering background, I naturally want to solve things “the right way.” But in a startup, there often is not a clear right way, just a series of messy, fast decisions.
Letting go of the need to optimise everything is something I am still working on. I think I have not fully changed this yet because it also comes from a good place: wanting to build something meaningful and solid. But the reality is, sometimes you just have to move and course-correct as you go.
14. WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED OR GIVEN, OR BOTH?
One of my favorite pieces of advice comes from Barack Obama. He once said that the most valuable skill you can develop is “be the persona that gets stuff done.” No matter the task, no matter the setting, just learning how to take responsibility, adapt and move things forward.
15. ON A SCALE FROM 1 TO 10 - 10 BEING THE BEST. HOW WELL DO YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR TRUTH STORY IS CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD BY YOUR COMMUNITY? ( WHY NOT 10? )
I would say a 7. I think the core of our story, why we started ImmuniFriend and who we are building it for, resonates deeply with the people who experience autoimmune diseases. They get it immediately, because they have lived it. But we are still early, and there is always room to communicate better. Our challenge is helping a broader audience: investors, partners, even some in the healthcare system, understand that emotional support is not a “nice-to-have.” It is essential.
16. WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?
I admire people who lead with quiet conviction.
One person who stands out to me is Barack Obama. Not just for his politics, but for how he approaches leadership: with calm under pressure, a focus on long-term change, and a deep belief in people’s capacity to improve the systems around them.
Apart from him, I admire the people we are building ImmuniFriend for: patients living with autoimmune diseases. Many of them are navigating conditions that are invisible to the outside world, yet they keep showing up, adapting and somehow making the best out of a situation they never asked for. The way they advocate for themselves, support each other and keep going even when it is hard, that is something I deeply respect
17. DESCRIBE YOUR VENTURE - ELEVATOR PITCH STYLE?
Autoimmune diseases affect millions worldwide, often leading to emotional distress, isolation, and mental health struggles.
Traditional healthcare focuses on physical treatment, leaving emotional needs unaddressed.
ImmuniFriend bridges this gap by offering structured, psychologist-led group counseling tailored for autoimmune patients.
Our sessions provide support, psychoeducation, and self-regulation tools to help individuals develop resilience and a healthier mindset around their condition.
Beyond counseling, we offer a wealth of educational resources, fostering empowerment and community. Our vision is a world where emotional healing is as integral to autoimmune care as physical treatment, ensuring no one navigates their illness alone.
18. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT MISSION STATEMENT OR MESSAGE + MARKET FIT FOR YOUR VENTURE?
We want to change the way emotional health is treated in autoimmune care. By bridging the gap between physical treatment and emotional support, we are creating a holistic approach to wellbeing.
From a market perspective, we serve an overlooked but growing need: over 10% of the global population lives with autoimmune conditions and the emotional support infrastructure for them is nearly non-existent.
19. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AFTER A LONG WORK DAY?
I love being outside. Whether it is cycling, a bit of calisthenics at the park, or a spontaneous game of volleyball, movement helps me reset. I also really enjoy cooking. It is one of the few moments in the day where I am fully present, not thinking about the next meeting or product decision. Sometimes I will throw on a good podcast while I cook or just enjoy the quiet. And of course, spending time with friends and family. That is the best kind of recharge. Being around people who bring you back to yourself is something I never take for granted.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU TREATED YOURSELF TO AND WHAT DID YOU CELEBRATE? The last thing I treated myself to was celebrating my master’s graduation with family and friends, right in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. It was a magical moment.
After juggling full-time studies, building ImmuniFriend and navigating the rollercoaster of early-stage entrepreneurship, it felt incredible to just be present, to reflect and to share that joy with the people who supported me along the way.
BONUS QUESTION: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTING YOU ON YOUR AMBITIOUS JOURNEY?
Thank You All for your support - You make it all worth it!
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