NextGen Nexus: What inspired you to start Mendaudio? What problem were you trying to solve?
Nermin Osmanovic: As a musician, one of the biggest challenges I faced was setting up and tearing down equipment before and after performances. Dealing with tangled wires, unreliable batteries, and bulky power supplies was frustrating. I wanted a solution that would make this process easier without compromising sound quality. That’s why I founded Mendaudio—to replace traditional DC power cables with a rechargeable 9V battery pack that is safe, efficient, and equipped with real-time power monitoring.
NextGen Nexus: How did your background shape your journey into electronics and battery technology?
Nermin: I was born in Yugoslavia in 1976, and my parents encouraged my curiosity for music and learning. I played trumpet in a marching band from the age of six and picked up the guitar at thirteen. I also had a deep fascination with electronics, disassembling and reassembling devices to understand their components. This passion led me to experiment with building battery packs and power sources from an early age.
During the war in Yugoslavia, I learned to repurpose old lead-acid batteries to power essential devices. This hands-on experience with batteries and electrical components played a crucial role in my later innovations, ultimately leading me to develop the battery packs for musicians.
NextGen Nexus: Can you tell us more about the products you’ve developed and how they help musicians?
Nermin: I’ve designed two key products: the DC Battery Pack and the AC Battery Pack. The DC Battery Pack is a portable power source for guitar pedals, eliminating the need for AC plugs and reducing stage clutter. It offers a noise-free performance and significantly cuts down setup and tear-down time.
The AC Battery Pack provides a perfect AC waveform for powering stage equipment like speakers, mixers, and microphones. It’s designed to be safe, rechargeable, and versatile. My goal is to expand it into a 1kWh system capable of powering an entire stage for four hours.
The best ideas come from solving your own frustrations. When you create something that makes your life easier, you might just change the world for others too
NextGen Nexus: How did you navigate the early stages of Mendaudio’s growth and development?
Nermin: Starting a company while self-funding everything was a challenge, but I was committed to solving a real problem for musicians. I spent a lot of time researching and testing different battery cells to find the best option. After extensive testing, I selected a hybrid Li-Ion cell from Panasonic with advanced safety circuits.
I also worked with engineers across different countries, testing circuit designs and refining the product until it met my high standards. It took months of trial and error, but eventually, I found the best solution. The first milestone was selling my first two devices in January 2024, and I’ve since scaled up production to meet growing demand.
NextGen Nexus: What were the biggest challenges you faced as an entrepreneur?
Nermin: One of the biggest challenges was balancing multiple roles—market analysis, product design, prototype testing, and manufacturing, all while ensuring high product quality. Since I was self-funded, I had the freedom to stay true to my vision, but it also meant managing every aspect of the business myself.
Another challenge was designing a power system that eliminated voltage ripple, which can cause sound distortion. I collaborated with engineers and tested different circuit layouts to refine the design until it worked flawlessly.
NextGen Nexus: Do you have plans to expand beyond musicians?
Nermin: Absolutely. While musicians are my primary audience, I see a huge potential for my battery technology in other fields. One idea I’m developing is a power extension battery pack for MacBook Pro, providing 12+ hours of battery life for professionals who work outdoors, such as filmmakers and content creators.
NextGen Nexus: How do you balance your work and personal life?
Nermin: Running Mendaudio keeps me busy, but I try to make time for personal enjoyment. I still play guitar, though not as often as before. Spending time in my backyard with my cats and going on nature walks with my girlfriend helps me stay balanced and creative.
NextGen Nexus: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Nermin: If something annoys you, and you have the skills to fix it, chances are others feel the same way—that’s your market. However, before you start, ensure you have a financial backup so you don’t have to compromise your vision. Trust your instincts, but always refine your product through testing and feedback. Surround yourself with people who share your passion, and never compromise on excellence, safety, or ethics.
NextGen Nexus: What exciting plans do you have for Mendaudio in the near future?
Nermin: I’m preparing to showcase my battery packs at two major events: the Web Summit in Doha, Qatar, as part of the Alpha Startup Program, and the SXSW 2024 Creative Expo in Austin, Texas. I’ve also received Amazon Seller approval, meaning my DC Battery Packs will soon be available for purchase on Amazon. It’s an exciting time for Mendaudio, and I look forward to bringing my products to more musicians worldwide.
