Interviewer: Today, we’re speaking with Manuel Mertl, the visionary CEO behind TAGBASE, a revolutionary product authenticity solution making waves across various industries. Manuel, it’s great to have you with us. Can you share the genesis story of TAGBASE?
Manuel Mertl: Thank you for having me. The journey began three years ago when I founded a wine brand. I quickly realized the market lacked effective solutions to combat counterfeiting and ensure product authenticity. Frustrated by the inadequate options available, I leveraged my background in software engineering to develop TAGBASE. After nearly a year of diligent research and implementation, the first prototype came to life.
Interviewer: That’s quite an innovative leap. Why do you believe product authenticity is becoming increasingly crucial?
Manuel Mertl: We live in an era where misinformation is rampant, from fake news to deep fakes. The concept of authenticity extends beyond media, profoundly affecting physical products. Consumers and manufacturers alike seek reliability and truth, making product authenticity as critical as identifying legitimate information online. TAGBASE addresses this growing demand, ensuring consumers and brands can trust the authenticity of their products.
Interviewer: Can you tell us more about your background and how it influenced TAGBASE?
Manuel Mertl: Absolutely. With a Master’s degree in software engineering from the Technical University of Vienna, my career spanned roles in startups, multinational corporations, and even the United Nations. These experiences honed my understanding of technology’s impact on society. I’ve always believed technology is the key to solving some of our most pressing challenges, including in product authenticity.
Interviewer: TAGBASE seems to have a broad application spectrum. Can you elaborate on its versatility?
Manuel Mertl: TAGBASE is designed to be scalable and adaptable, catering to a wide range of needs. Whether it’s small artists needing a handful of tags to verify their artwork’s authenticity, winemakers requiring thousands of tags to guarantee their wine’s origin, or pharmaceutical companies needing hundreds of thousands of tags to ensure medication authenticity, TAGBASE provides a solution. It’s about creating a trusted ecosystem across industries.
Interviewer: Looking forward, how do you see technology shaping our future, especially in the context of TAGBASE?
Manuel Mertl: Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, transforming every aspect of our lives. At the heart of this transformation, TAGBASE emerges as the primary solution for proving product authenticity and bridging the gap between digital assets and physical items. TAGBASE not only offers a reliable method to safeguard product authenticity but also serves as the foundational infrastructure for linking digital and physical realms. As we advance, TAGBASE is poised to lead the charge, ensuring that authenticity and trust are integral to both our digital and physical worlds, setting the standard for how products and assets are verified across industries.
Interviewer: Finally, what’s your vision for the future of TAGBASE?
Manuel Mertl: My vision for TAGBASE is to become the gold standard for product authenticity worldwide. We’re not just building a solution; we’re fostering a movement towards transparency and trust. As technology evolves, so will TAGBASE, continuously adapting to meet the authenticity needs of industries and consumers alike.
Interviewer: Manuel, it’s been enlightening to hear about TAGBASE and your vision for a more authentic future. Thank you for sharing your journey and insights with us today.
Manuel Mertl: Thank you for the opportunity. It’s an exciting time for TAGBASE, and I look forward to what the future holds.