Interview with Damian Comper, CEO of Mountex
September 28, 2021
Interview with Damian Comper, CEO of Mountex, a digital payment service for finding new customers and suppliers without affecting Euro liquidity.
Mountex can be seen as a “complementary currency” with the goal of economically strengthening local businesses and adding value to international competition. Mountex is an ecosystem meant for the economic revival of South Tyrol: it aims at the creation of a “virtuous circle” between local businesses, which will then generate more sales and boost proximity shopping. How? Through a local currency that can increase the member businesses’ Euro liquidity (by not actually spending it in purchases) and sales.
A complementary currency offers many advantages, which we’ll uncover further in this interview with Mountex CEO Damian Comper. Some of the benefits are:
- being able to boost sales, finding new customers and suppliers (trading)
- the possibility of investment based on future goals
- using the network to meet new people and entrepreneurs, which can generate new leads for investment and acquaintances (networking).
It’s not exactly an easy topic, but Damian will help us understand more about it!
Hi, Damian. Nice to meet you, and thank you for your time. “Mountex, the innovative regional way of exchanging goods and services”: can you tell us about this payoff?
Our project essentially involves a business circuit that accepts digital payments through a currency equivalent to the Euro (1 Mountex = 1 Euro). This can provide businesses with new customers and suppliers without affecting their Euro liquidity. Most importantly, it keeps South Tyrol’s “economic strength” intact.
How was the idea of Mountex born?
It was 2016 when we realized that the global market favours marketplaces without boundaries. After conducting some research regarding the negatives of globalization, a market without boundaries and a future monopolized by the biggest companies, we believed it necessary to step in. Moreover, supporting local small and medium businesses has always been my biggest dream: of course, this would be done with respect for local traditions.
How long did it take for the project to take form?
We held various meetings in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy in order to shape our idea. 2021 was the starting year. We’re doing good on the digitization front, while the economy still needs solid assistance, especially when it comes to small and medium businesses.
Italy still falls behind regarding the use of complementary currencies and digital payments. What benefits are we overlooking, and why are we still so late to this?
The benefits are surely related to speed, security and affordability. Also, there’s the chance of increasing the company’s income. Technology is very advanced nowadays, therefore we should make use of it; many companies lose lots of opportunities because they refuse to change their old ways. The future is in the hands of those businesses that are open to novelties and continuously expand their horizons.
Who’s your target audience? And what about the feedback you’ve been getting so far?
We are targeted to small and medium businesses that have great products and services, but can’t find new customers and suppliers. These companies have potential for increasing production, but have issues with marketing their products/services, or they just can’t find someone that would take care of sales. As for the feedback, we’re doing great in the suburbs and the cities alike. We encountered a strong drive toward learning how to overcome times of crisis, and to give businesses added value.
Did you launch your project through crowdfunding? What do you think about it?
We were lucky to find entrepreneurs and the so-called Business Angels, who trusted us right from the start and financed our start-up. Our plan B consisted in crowdfunding or fundraising, actually. Nowadays there are lots of ways to finance a project, but what’s important is believing in your idea, perseverance and resolve.
Mountex is currently operating in South Tyrol: do you aim at expanding throughout Italy in the future?
We’re focusing on the South Tyrolean market, although we don’t exclude expanding toward North Tyrol and Trentino. Start small and think big, after all.
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