Christoph Heike, founder of Greetmate.ai, has been building things since he was a teenager—literally. From his early web dev experiments in Germany to launching a cutting-edge AI communications platform in California, his story is one of persistence, curiosity, and bold reinvention.
We caught up with Christoph to dive into his journey from Europe to Silicon Valley, how Greetmate came to life, and why he believes voice AI is the next frontier in business communications.
Early Days in Germany
Q: What first drew you into web development back in Germany?
“I started building websites at 13 and just loved creating things. I was always fascinated by how computers work. By five, I was already playing with them. I loved the massive opportunities that the internet offered – The ability to connect millions of people just by technology is simply mind blowing.
Q: What was your first web dev business like?
“I got started in hobby forums—PC water cooling, online communities. People found out I could build websites and started asking for help. I didn’t even realize at first that this could be a paid service. I just did it for fun first. Then, I started to charge small amounts. By 14, I was running my own small business, and by 19, I had dropped out of my computer science study to pursue it full time.”
Q: How did Germany’s tech scene shape your path?
“Germany was behind in many ways—government agencies still used fax machines. But that also meant high demand for digital talent. At the same time, I stayed connected globally through open source communities. That gave me the perspective that the world was much bigger than my local scene.”
A Leap Across the Atlantic
Q: What inspired your move to California?
“California always felt like the heart of tech, but it seemed so far away. I finally made the move at 27, slightly after the COVID pandemic. I’d vacationed here before, and the combination of opportunity, weather, and a more optimistic business culture really stood out to me.”
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges in transitioning to the U.S. tech ecosystem?
“The tech stack wasn’t the issue—we mostly use the same tools globally. The bigger challenge was adjusting to the American mindset and business culture. It’s very different from Germany, but in a good way.”
Q: Was there a moment when you knew California was the right fit?
“Pretty early on, I just felt it. The positivity, the entrepreneurial spirit—it clicked. In Germany, success can sometimes be met with skepticism. Here, people celebrate it.”
From Web Dev to Voice AI
Q: What inspired the shift from web development to AI?
“I wouldn’t call it a full shift—it’s more like a natural extension. I’ve been building with AI since GPT-2, and when GPT-3 dropped, it was obvious this tech was going to be huge. With 16+ years of software experience, I just leaned in.”
Q: How did Greetmate come to life?
“I’d been thinking about reviving a boat broker platform and wanted to add an AI voice receptionist. At the time, I was also using a human virtual receptionist service for my web dev business, but it wasn’t always reliable. I thought, ‘Can’t AI do this better?’ So I built the MVP for Greetmate in July 2024—and people were interested right away.”
Q: What were some of the toughest challenges in building it?
“Building the AI engine for real-time phone conversations was hard. I didn’t use off-the-shelf APIs—I built it all myself. Dealing with live audio, streaming, integrating various services—it was a technical mountain. But I’m proud of that. And I’m still working on it daily.”
On the AI Industry Today
Q: What excites you most about AI right now?
“AI is transforming how we communicate. It’s not optional anymore. Businesses that adopt it early will have an edge. That’s just reality.”
Q: Where do you see AI—and Greetmate—heading next?
“Voice AI is going to explode. We’re seeing major progress in voice generation and computer vision. I want Greetmate to become the go-to AI communications platform—handling as much business communication as possible.”
Giving Back
Q: You also lecture and judge hackathons. What’s the motivation behind that?
“I love giving back. I see a younger version of myself in so many of the people I meet. I just wish I had someone offering that kind of feedback and mentorship when I was starting out.”
Q: What’s your approach when speaking to students or early-career pros?
“Never look down on anyone. Whether they’re new or experienced, there’s always something to learn from each other.”
Q: Any memorable moments from your university talks?
“At a recent workshop, students came up to me asking for job advice. That stuck with me—it was a shift. I’m no longer the young prodigy; I’m now someone they look up to.”
Looking Ahead
Q: When you reflect on your journey, what stands out most?
“How fast things have evolved. Just five or ten years ago, the tools we take for granted today didn’t exist. It’s incredible to look back and see how far we’ve come.”
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting out?
“Build hundreds of things—even if they go nowhere. You need a high frustration tolerance. It’s not about success every time. It’s about learning and refining your skills through repetition.”
Q: What’s next for you and Greetmate?
“Big product updates. More customers. Growing the team. We’re just getting started.”
Conclusion:
From humble forum gigs at age 14 to leading a cutting-edge AI startup in California, Christoph Heike’s journey is a testament to what happens when relentless curiosity meets fearless execution. With Greetmate.ai, he’s not just building tools—he’s building the future of communication.
Written in partnership with Tom White
