He was born in Berlin, grew up in Nice and now lives in Switzerland. He speaks six languages, is very sporty and founded PLAN-B NET ZERO in 2023. He was the kind of guy no one would have expected to go down this path before. Neither does he himself sometimes.

We grabbed Bradley Mundt, founder and CEO of PLAN-B NET ZERO, and asked him to talk about the idea behind the company, his everyday life and what drives him.

The beginning — How an energy crisis became a business idea

QUESTION: Bradley, where does the story of PLAN-B NET ZERO begin?

Bradley: It was the end of 2022. We were an evening with friends, no big program, just talking together, having a drink together. Most were just about to complete their master's degree and wanted to go to other cities or countries. And at some point we were talking about how absurd the situation was right now. Energy prices exploded and students could barely afford their apartments. And I sat there and thought: That is not a force of nature. It's a system failure. There must be a solution somewhere.

QUESTION: And then?

Bradley: Then I didn't go to sleep thinking about the problem. What really bothered me was not the price itself, but why people have so little control over something as fundamental as energy. The first idea was to rent out solar panels. Self-sufficiency for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Through many discussions, adjustments and honest mistakes, this simple idea became what I now call Neo Energy.

QUESTION: Was that your first business idea?

Bradley: No, definitely not. It was probably the fifth or sixth. But something was different this time. This time, the idea was consistently followed by implementation. I didn't wait until everything was perfect anymore. I've started. And I also knew that I just had to do it. There is no right or perfect time.

The company — What PLAN-B NET ZERO really does

QUESTION: Explain Neo Energy to us as if you were explaining it to a friend over dinner.

Bradley: Imagine if your bank would only tell you how much money you have once a year. The only way you could go to the branch is if something goes wrong. Sounds absurd, doesn't it? This is exactly how energy still works for most people today. You get a bill that you barely understand, and that's it. Neo Energy does things differently. We're giving you control. You can see what you're consuming in real time. The system thinks along, automatically optimizes and asks you the simple question at the right time: Should I save money for you? Energy that simply works, like music streaming, like your banking app.

QUESTION: Why did you set it up in Switzerland?

Bradley: That was a personal decision that was also necessary from an entrepreneurial point of view. I really like Switzerland, and not just because I live here. The legal system is stable, predictable, flexible. And I can be on the slopes in 20 minutes. It's not self-evident, I know. When you stand alone in the snow early in the morning and enjoy the silence, you come back with a clear head.

QUESTION: What was the smartest decision when setting it up?

Bradley: It's clear: not to try to do everything alone. I'm young. I have strengths, but I also have gaps in knowledge and, of course, not all the experience. That's why I've gathered very experienced people around me right from the start. Board members and executives with 20 to 40 years of industry experience. People who know how to do it. I took time to learn and then took over when I was ready.

The person — Who Bradley is outside the office

QUESTION: What do you do when you're not working?

Bradley: Sport is a big part of my life, it always was. I was a competitive athlete in taekwondo and swimming, today I'm doing CrossFit. Several times a week, sometimes in the evening before bed. It's almost like meditation for me. It pushes me to my limits, clears my mind, and then I see things more clearly. I'm regularly on the slopes in winter, which is one of the reasons why I love Switzerland so much.

QUESTION: You grew up speaking six languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian. What does that do to your view of the world?

Bradley: It opens doors that would otherwise remain closed. When you talk to someone in their language, the quality of the conversation changes. You'll get to an honest level faster. This helps with networking, building partnerships, and understanding markets. I think internationally, not because I learned it, but because I grew up that way. Thankfully.

QUESTION: Music plays a big part in your life, why?

Bradley: Music is my most reliable switch. When I want to switch off after an intensive day, music plays. I listen to techno, especially during stressful phases. It may sound contradictory, but it works. I have around 16,000 songs on my mobile phone and like to invest in good speakers and headphones. Music creates mental space for me. It inspires, it makes me dream, it opens up creativity.

QUESTION: How would your friends describe you?

Bradley: directly. Relaxed Funny and always there when something is going on, but also someone who just likes to spend a quiet evening. We rarely go to clubs. It's better to sit together somewhere, talk, laugh. By the way, the best ideas are also born from such evenings.

Leadership & mindset — What drives him

QUESTION: How would you describe your leadership style?

Bradley: Direct, trust-based, without unnecessary hierarchies. I don't like over-communication, permanent mandatory team events, no overhead that doesn't help anyone. What I want instead: honest discussions, high standards, a team that knows why they're doing it and also wants to make a difference. I maintain a friendly but professional relationship with my employees.

QUESTION: What did you learn in your first few years as a founder?

Bradley: That around 80 percent of all assumptions change along the way. Political framework, market conditions, implementation periods, nothing is going as planned. It stressed me out in the beginning. It's my normal today. I work with what's there and make the best of it. I also try not to change things that I can't change. I don't want to waste my good energy.

QUESTION: How do you handle pressure?

Bradley: To be honest, I don't stress much. That might sound weird for a CEO, but I've learned to really switch off when I'm not working. Music helps. Exercising helps. And a good network of people you trust also helps. When I have problems, I talk about them, not just when it's too late. I'm always careful with my energy.

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What's coming — Looking ahead

QUESTION: Where is PLAN-B NET ZERO today, and where should it go?

Bradley: We started 2023 with a turnover of 30 million euros. Today, we're at around 60 million ARR. By the end of 2026, we want to reach over 200 million euros — organically, without outside capital. We triple every year, which is extraordinary, even for us. And we've just founded a US subsidiary. The vision scales geographically.

QUESTION: Did the growth surprise you yourself?

Bradley: Yes, to be honest. I've always seen a lot of potential in Neo Energy. But how fast it goes — I didn't expect that. I'm damn proud of every single person on my team. That wouldn't be possible without them.

QUESTION: Last question: What does Neo Energy mean to you in one sentence?

Bradley: Energy that works for you, not the other way around.

→ Bradley Mundt on linkedin for more insights

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