Max-Josef Meier, the former CEO of Munich-based car subscription start-up Finn, faces a penalty order for sexual harassment. The allegations stem from incidents at a Christmas party in December 2021, prompting the Munich public prosecutor’s office to launch an investigation. Meier has been accused of sexually harassing several female employees while under the influence of alcohol. In an interview, he confirmed these allegations!
The Harassment Case
The Munich public prosecutor’s office has applied to the Munich district court for a penalty order against Meier on seven counts of sexual harassment. Senior public prosecutor Anne Leiding confirmed that the case involves “sexually motivated touching of several female employees at a Christmas party organized by the accused in Munich in 2021.”
The summary penalty order was issued roughly a year after the investigation began and is not yet legally binding, allowing Meier the opportunity to contest it. If it becomes legally binding, he would be required to pay a substantial six-figure fine.
According to reports from Gründerszene, the company initiated an internal investigation at the end of 2021, which resulted in Meier being temporarily expelled from his role as CEO for two months. Despite this, he remained in his position until the allegations became public in April 2023. In an interview with the German business magazine Capital, Meier admitted to the misconduct, stating that he was heavily intoxicated and could not recall the events clearly. He confessed to making abusive verbal statements, inappropriately touching, and attempting to kiss several women without consent.
Following the public revelation of the allegations, the Munich public prosecutor’s office formally initiated proceedings in April 2023. Subsequently, Finn announced Meier’s immediate resignation, stating it was a mutual decision. Maximilian Wühr has since taken over as CEO, with the company announcing a financing round of over 100 million euros in January under the new leadership.
If the penalty order against Meier is upheld, he will face a “very high six-figure fine,” according to the public prosecutor’s office. The fine is set just below the threshold that would necessitate a criminal record entry.
Successful Founder with Flaws
Max- Josef Meier, who previously founded the shopping portal Stylight before selling it to Prosiebensat.1 in 2016, established Finn in 2019. Finn allows customers to rent cars for periods ranging from six to twelve months. The start-up, which reached a valuation of €600 million following a financing round in January 2024, has been significantly impacted by these allegations. In this financing round, the Munich-based entrepreneur also sold a large proportion of his start-up shares. Meier was previously Finn‘s largest shareholder.
Report Sexual Harassment
If you have information about sexual harassment in start-ups or other organizations, please report it through Whistle42, our whistleblower system.
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