Against the Odds: Austrian entrepreneur Builds Thriving Mobile Network in Saturated Market
Spusu Founder Franz Pichler’s “Do-It-Yourself” Approach Pays Off
Ten years ago, when Hutchison acquired the mobile network Orange and opened the door for new providers, Austrian entrepreneur Franz Pichler saw an opportunity where others saw only saturation. Pichler, a graduate of the Technische Universität Wien, envisioned building his own mobile network core.
“I was considered crazy for wanting to enter a market that was supposedly 150% saturated,” recalls Pichler, now 59. But the Weinviertler, who had been the managing director of Mass Response Service as a management buyout in 2011, was undeterred. He convinced his team and founded Spusu, a company whose name stands for “Sprich und surf” (talk and surf).
This June, Spusu celebrates its 10th anniversary, a testament to Pichler’s unwavering belief in his vision.
A Unique Approach to Success
Pichler’s success stems from a unique approach. “The old rule was to focus on your core business,” …