Popakademie alumnus finds success with digital detox startup
26. March 2026
Since mid-2025, Popakademie alumnus Konstantin Singer has been making waves in the startup scene with an innovative idea: With the Zenbox he developed, he is sending a clear message about taking intentional digital breaks in everyday life and fostering greater focus, clarity, and calm. The Zenbox is a physical device that helps users put their smartphones down intentionally. With it, Singer taps into the zeitgeist of an era in which digital distraction has become a daily challenge for many people.
Zenbox is a small, NFC-based device that blocks predefined apps with a quick tap on your smartphone—no subscription, no cloud, and no tracking required. The idea: Instead of opening yet another app to block other apps, Zenbox relies on a physical ritual that encourages conscious decision-making.Konstantin Singer earned his Master of Arts in Music and Creative Industries from the Popakademie in 2013. While still a student, he founded the agency “Singer&Klein Creative Consulting.” For nearly eight years, Konstantin has worked at Mercedes-Benz as Product Owner for Digital & Third Party Services. His startup, Zenbox, exemplifies the intersection of the creative industries, technology, and social impact—an approach that has been promoted at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg for years. With Zenbox, Konstantin Singer demonstrates how sustainable innovation can emerge even outside the traditional music industry.