From Hanken to the games industry

Text och bild: Cryptic Cargo

After a cozy Christmas dinner and a few drinks in 2016, a discussion arose around a new kind of business model for the escape room industry, like it had done many times before during the fall. But this time something clicked; suddenly all puzzle pieces fell into place. This time the idea was too good not to be carried out. In September the following year Max and Laura officially founded Cryptic Cargo. The journey had begun.

Cryptic Cargo aims to disrupt the escape room industry: The company provides the first truly portable escape room experiences in Finland. The games combine a ready-toplay escape room, packed in an easily movable suitcase, and a mobile app that complements the experience with interactive clues, tasks and an immersive soundscape, as well as helps players by providing hints.

The games are not only completely portable, but they can also be operated without a game master. The players are also given the chance to decide how they want to enjoy their experience through altering the game settings, such as altering the maximum game time, and the game can be played several times during the one-day booking.

Both founders have a background at Hanken. Max studieda minor in entrepreneurship to complement hiscomputer science studies, and Laura is currently writing her master’s thesis in marketing. Studies at Hanken actually played a big role in creating the initial idea for Cryptic Cargo. During her marketing studies, Laura read a lot about digitalization and customer-oriented innovation within services and business models. Simultaneously, the casual escape room hobby led to ever more discussions at home about how the industry could be innovated with regards to customer orientation. Soon the idea was born, and it was evident that it had to be done before someone else could come up with it.

When asked what it’s like being an entrepreneur, Laura smiles: “It’s a lot of work, like everyone says, but you can also take it easier sometimes, which is great. The environment for entrepreneurship is fantastic in Helsinki and many people are willing to help you. People are generally very supportive and positive. Having a company of your own is of course not only sunshine and good vibes. The biggest obstacle for me has been learning to work alone, without anyone setting deadlines; being accountable to virtually no-one. If you fail, it’s always out of your own pocket too. It’s very important to learn to be merciful to oneself when things don’t go as planned. “

Cryptic Cargo has recently formed a partnership with Kalaravintolat in Helsinki. Games can be picked up from all their restaurants, and even tried out in two: The cabinets of Punavuoren Ahven and Leijuva Lahna.