Innsbruck/Brixen/Lienz – March 1, 1990. Christopher Inwinkl was born in East Tyrol. He spent his childhood and youth there before deciding to go to Innsbruck to study economics. At the same time, he completed several fitness trainer training courses.
March 20, 1994. Laura Gruber was born in Brixen. From an early age, sport played a major role in her life. She competed in ski races, but was also musical. After graduating from the social sciences high school with a focus on music, she began to study business law in Innsbruck. She also continued her education in the areas of training and nutrition.
“We have the same understanding of health and well-being.”
The East Tyrolean and South Tyrolean’s paths crossed for the first time in the North Tyrolean capital. They soon realized that they shared a common passion. “We have the same understanding of health and well-being,” says Gruber. The two became a couple, initially privately. While Gruber worked in a law firm, Inwinkl began to build up a one-man business as a coach and personal trainer. Gruber supported him, including with marketing. When the corona pandemic hit the world, the couple asked themselves the question: Can what Inwinkl has done so far be done together on a bigger and more holistic basis? The two believe: yes. In addition to the private connection, there is also the professional one. It is the end of 2020: the birth of bhealth.
On average twelve percent more productivity
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With their start-up, Gruber and Inwinkl want to bring the topics of health and well-being into companies by developing tailor-made health concepts for their employees. “Companies are a huge lever for improving our health system,” emphasize the founders. “Unfortunately, this system has so far been curative rather than preventative. That means the focus is on healing rather than prevention. We want to help change that.” The start-up therefore wants to strengthen health literacy in companies by providing the right tools to integrate the topic into everyday work.
A question that often comes up in management circles: Doesn’t the responsibility for one’s own health lie with the individual? Yes, but in an age of work intensification, the merging of professional and private life, increasing complexity and multitasking, pressure and stress are increasing in equal measure, the founding couple know. People are keen to take some of the time they have to spend on their own health first. The consequences are well known. Illnesses are increasing, both physical and, above all, mental.
“It is said that for every euro invested in employee health, three euros come back.”
Preventing both within a company is called company health management. “It’s a word monster that doesn’t sell so well,” says Gruber. “The decision-makers we deal with are ZDF people: numbers, data, facts. Our first task is therefore to convince them of the usefulness of our offer.” Those who implement this topic in their own company achieve less sick leave, more productivity – according to studies, by an average of twelve percent – and become more attractive as an employer. “It is said that for every euro invested in employee health, three euros come back,” says Inwinkl. “Especially at the beginning, we always notice a great focus on the key figures. When we have been supporting a company for a longer period and can provide serious figures, the managers often wave us off. Among other things, they see how much the company culture has improved.”
“We want to bring in some pep”
Anyone who decides to invest today cannot expect immediate results. “Sometimes, however, expectations are unrealistic: a company wants to hold a health day and thereby reduce sick leave. Employee health is a process, which is why we always try to work together in the long term,” explains Gruber. Around 60 customers have so far seen the start-up’s work for themselves.
At the beginning of every order there is a needs analysis: What does the company actually need? You can then choose from a range of measures. This includes ergonomic workplace analysis, which is intended to optimize the employees’ know-how. The workplace is adapted and strategies for your own behavior are provided. Health days are also part of the portfolio (core topics: exercise, nutrition and stress management), as well as specialist lectures (from resilience to training to restful sleep), exercise courses (in person and online), workshops and a digital on-demand health platform. The start-up wants to use this to support employees in the long term.
“We really want to spice things up,” emphasize Gruber and Inwinkl. “It doesn’t help anyone if people leave a course and think: ‘What a waste of time.'” They therefore see themselves as the “implementers”, who are close to people in practice. “We all know it: a lot to do, little time. We show how health and well-being can be combined with a daily routine of work and private life,” says Gruber. In the workshops, people sometimes go shopping together. What should you look out for? What hidden tricks do the manufacturers use? Where is sugar in it? Which apps can help? All of this is best learned directly in the supermarket. Cooking together is also on the agenda in some workshops. “We make everything as low-threshold as possible. After all, people are naturally little sloths who love simplicity,” explains Gruber.
Annual budget of 10,000 to 30,000 euros
Because every company is different, tailor-made solutions are important to the start-up. With an annual budget of 10,000 to 30,000 euros, a sensible program can be developed, say Inwinkl and Gruber. “As soon as the basic structures are in place, expenses level off at a lower level.” Investments in the health of employees should be viewed like any other investment made by the company, such as marketing. True to the motto: healthy employees cost money, sick ones cost a fortune. “The impact on productivity is also underestimated. It is important to employees that their company looks after them and values them. If this feeling is conveyed, for example by paying attention to their health, it can have a very motivating effect,” says Gruber.
“We make everything as easy to use as possible. Humans are naturally lazy people who love simplicity.”
bhealth’s main target group are medium-sized companies with 100 to 500 employees, although two large companies with a workforce of between 1,500 and 2,000 employees are also bhealth’s customers. At this size, it is still possible to address the entire team. However, it is utopian to get everyone on board equally. “A rate of 30 percent is already very good. And everyone we reach is a gain. That is often forgotten,” says Gruber. “We can make health appealing, but some people simply aren’t interested,” adds Inwinkl.
The start-up benefits from the fact that employer branding is currently on everyone’s lips. Various experts point to the importance of company health management in this context. bhealth, on the other hand, would like to see more support for the topic from politicians. “Sustainability is always and everywhere talked about, and rightly so. Our health plays an important role in this and should therefore be promoted accordingly,” emphasises Inwinkl.
The founding team of bhealth with the managing director of the Tyrolean Industrial Association, Michael Mairhofer, at the Tyrolean Economic Forum 2023“Never say never”
Until then, the founders are trying to convince the companies themselves. After North Tyrol, they now want to gain a foothold in South Tyrol, and in the medium term in the entire Euregio. So far, Gruber and Inwinkl have shared the administrative tasks between themselves. She is responsible for marketing, legal and product development, he for distribution, sales and finance. In order to offer customers “the best possible service”, the start-up works with coaches and experts from various fields. Six coaches are part of their core team and 20 other network partners are deployed depending on customer needs. “But we can definitely imagine building a team with permanent employees,” says Gruber. “However, it is important to us to grow sustainably. That’s why we are taking our time with it.”
Would they sell their start-up one day if the offer was right? “If we continue to be so passionate about the topic, I can’t imagine that. Then we would have to look for a new way to fulfill ourselves,” laughs Gruber. “Unless the impact would be much greater. As always in the start-up world, the answer must be: never say never.”
THE SERIES In the current series “Start-up South Tyrol”, SWZ is presenting young companies and their founders, as it has done in previous years. All articles can be read here and in the SWZ app.
Exploring Health and Well-Being: The Inspiring Journey of Bhealth Co-Founders Christopher Inwinkl and Laura Gruber
Innsbruck/Brixen/Lienz – A Match Made in Health
In the picturesque landscapes of Innsbruck, Brixen, and Lienz, the paths of two passionate individuals converged to create a significant impact in the field of health and well-being. Christopher Inwinkl, born in East Tyrol on March 1, 1990, dedicated his early years to academics while simultaneously pursuing fitness training. Laura Gruber, born in Brixen just a few years later on March 20, 1994, balanced her love for sports and music with a commitment to legal studies. Together, they embarked on a mission to revolutionize corporate health through their start-up, bhealth.
The Birth of Bhealth: A Shared Vision
Their journey began in Innsbruck, where a personal relationship blossomed alongside their professional aspirations. Inwinkl, who started as a personal trainer, found support from Gruber, who was working in a law firm. As the pandemic unfolded in 2020, they recognized an opportunity to combine their skills and insights into a more extensive health initiative. This realization was the catalyst for launching bhealth – a start-up focused on developing tailor-made health concepts for employees within companies.
“We have the same understanding of health and well-being.” – Laura Gruber
Transforming Workplace Health: The Mission of Bhealth
At the heart of bhealth is the belief that corporate environments can significantly influence public health. The founders emphasize that the current health system often emphasizes curative measures rather than preventive ones, which is where they aim to make a change. With a company-focused approach to health, they propose integrating health literacy within workplaces to nurture a proactive attitude towards wellness.
Research shows that a healthy workforce leads to increased productivity. By prioritizing employee health, bhealth believes that companies can reduce sick leave and foster a motivated workforce. Studies reveal that investing in employee health yields a return of three euros for every euro spent, making a compelling business case for bhealth‘s services.
Company Health Management: The Benefits and Challenges
Company health management can seem daunting. As Gruber mentions, “it’s a word monster that doesn’t sell well.” However, effectively addressing this issue is crucial for decision-makers, who can reap substantial benefits from investing in employees’ well-being.
A significant challenge for bhealth is the common misconception that health is solely an individual responsibility. Inwinkl and Gruber emphasize that today’s workplace dynamics often blur the line between personal and professional life, resulting in increased stress. Their tailored health programs provide companies with tools to foster a healthier work environment, emphasizing a culture of preventive health.
“It is said that for every euro invested in employee health, three euros come back.” – Christopher Inwinkl
The bhealth Approach: Practical Strategies for Employee Wellness
The foundation of bhealth’s strategy revolves around a comprehensive needs analysis for each client. This analysis enables them to tailor programs specifically designed to address the unique requirements of each business. Possibilities range from ergonomic assessments to health days focusing on fitness, nutrition, and stress management.
Their program offerings include:
- Ergonomic workplace assessments
- Health education workshops
- Specialized lectures on various wellness topics
- Exercise courses (both in-person and online)
- A digital on-demand healthcare platform
Gruber and Inwinkl are committed to making health education engaging and accessible. Rather than conventional methods, their workshops often incorporate practical experiences, such as joint supermarket visits for nutritional education and collaborative cooking sessions.
Investing in Health: The Financial Aspect of Workplace Wellness
Bhealth offers flexible pricing tailored to the specific needs and sizes of various companies. With an annual budget between €10,000 and €30,000, businesses can develop comprehensive health programs that yield long-term benefits.
As companies increasingly focus on employee wellness, investment in health should be treated similarly to other business costs, such as marketing. Employees who feel valued and cared for are more likely to remain motivated and productive.
Conclusion: The Future of Bhealth and Workplace Wellness
Recognizing the importance of long-term relationships, the co-founders aim to establish themselves not just in North Tyrol but venture into the broader South Tyrol region and beyond. Their model of collaboration includes both a core team of six dedicated coaches and a network of 20 external partners, ensuring a diverse range of expertise tailored to client needs.
“We want to spice things up.” - Laura Gruber
As bhealth continues to grow, Inwinkl and Gruber hope to encourage more businesses to recognize and act upon the importance of workplace health. Their vision extends beyond immediate returns; they seek to foster a cultural shift that balances health and happiness in the working environment.
With their innovative approach and a commitment to well-being, Bhealth stands at the forefront of a movement centered on health-conscious corporate culture — making the workplace a healthier, happier place for all.