Could supply chains hold the key to combating climate change?

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11/22/2024

ClimateChoice, the winner of the GREEN START-UP SLAM Los Angeles 2024, captivated with its mission to empower businesses in driving climate transformation through scalable supply chain decarbonization solutions. Lara Obst, who delivered the pitch on stage, hails from Germany, and the ClimateTech company is proudly based in Berlin

Lara, thank you for joining us today. Could you please introduce ClimateChoice and the role your company plays in the global fight against climate change?

Thank you for having me! At ClimateChoice, our mission is to make every purchasing decision a smart climate choice. We achieve this by providing our AI-powered Climate Intelligence Platform, which streamlines climate data acquisition and supplier engagement. This enables companies to accelerate supply chain decarbonization and achieve their net-zero targets effectively.

ClimateChoice focuses on supply chain decarbonization. Can you explain why this area is so crucial for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint?

Absolutely. Supply chain emissions, or Scope 3 emissions, typically account for more than 80% of a company’s carbon footprint. Every product or service a company purchases carries an embedded carbon cost. In fact, upstream emissions are often 26 times greater than a company’s direct emissions. Despite their significant impact, Scope 3 emissions are often overlooked, leaving companies with a critical blind spot. With new regulations like the European CSRD coming into effect, more than 50,000 companies will need to report and address these emissions from 2025 onwards. Decarbonizing the supply chain is no longer optional — it’s essential for compliance and leadership in sustainability.

Your company utilizes AI to enhance sustainability practices. Could you describe how this technology contributes to the decarbonization process?

Our AI-driven Climate Intelligence Platform transforms how companies approach supply chain sustainability. By processing vast amounts of data — typically over 100 granular data points per supplier — we create individual ClimateChoice Scorecards for suppliers. These scorecards assess performance across five dimensions: CO2, emission trends over time, climate targets, strategy & governance, and decarbonization efforts. This allows companies to make data-driven decisions, whether it’s selecting high-performing suppliers or supporting underperforming ones to improve. Ultimately, our platform empowers businesses to embed climate-smart choices into their procurement processes, fostering collaboration and driving measurable change.

What are some of the key challenges that companies face when trying to track and reduce emissions in their supply chains? How does ClimateChoice help overcome these obstacles?

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of reliable data. Most companies rely on assumptions, averages, or manual processes like sending spreadsheets via email to gather emissions and other climate relevant information from suppliers. This approach is time-consuming, inconsistent, and let’s be honest, often inaccurate. We tackle these issues by offering a scalable, high-quality solution. Our platform automates data collection from sources like sustainability reports, websites and public databases to create initial climate profiles for suppliers. Companies can then invite suppliers to enrich these profiles, enabling continuous improvement and collaboration. This streamlined process eliminates inefficiencies, increases transparency and sets the stage for effective Scope 3 strategies.

A great example is Lenovo’s collaboration with ClimateChoice to tackle Scope 3 emissions through the Lenovo 360 Circle initiative. Using our Climate Intelligence Platform, Lenovo launched the GHG Emissions & Strategy Community Benchmarking program to engage its global partner network. This program enabled their partners to share emissions data securely, benchmark their climate performance, and receive tailored feedback, fostering transparency and collaboration across the supply chain. As a result, Lenovo achieved a Gold rating for its climate leadership, while its partners collectively reached a Silver-equivalent rating – a testament to the collective impact and alignment towards shared sustainability goals.

This initiative showcases how data-driven insights and partnership can drive systemic change. Lenovo not only advanced its own sustainability goals but also united its partners around shared goals, and with that inspired its ecosystem to embrace joint climate action. By recognizing high-performing partners and supporting others with actionable improvement plans, Lenovo turned a complex challenge into an opportunity for collective progress in achieving meaningful emissions reductions.

ClimateChoice offers a scoring methodology to assess supplier performance in sustainability. How does this scoring system work, and how does it help businesses make better decisions?

Our scoring system translates complex climate data into actionable insights. Suppliers receive a ClimateChoice Score, with levels ranging from Bronze to Gold based on their performance. This visual labeling system helps companies quickly assess their supplier base, identify strengths, and pinpoint areas for improvement. By using these scores, businesses can develop targeted strategies—such as supporting underperforming suppliers or leveraging high performers as benchmarks. This fosters collaboration and drives consistent emissions reductions across the supply chain.

The process of decarbonizing an entire supply chain can be complex. What are some first steps companies should take when starting this journey?

The first step is achieving transparency. Many companies lack visibility into their Scope 3 emissions, making it nearly impossible to set reduction targets or track progress. Start by assessing emissions using average data, then engage suppliers to refine this data with exact figures. Once transparency is established, companies can develop tailored decarbonization strategies. Prioritizing collaboration with suppliers and aligning on shared goals are key to making progress efficiently and effectively.

Many businesses are grappling with new regulations around sustainability. How do you see these changes affecting companies in the near future, and how can ClimateChoice support them?

New sustainability regulations are reshaping markets globally. They require companies to take responsibility for their entire value chain, positioning the supply chain as a central driver of strategic change. ClimateChoice helps businesses lead this transformation. By leveraging our platform, companies can turn compliance challenges into opportunities, strengthening relationships with suppliers and creating long-term value while reducing emissions.

ClimateChoice has built partnerships with organizations like T-Systems, Lenovo, and o2 Telefónica. How do these collaborations help scale your impact, and what role do partnerships play in achieving your mission?

Partnerships are essential for scaling impact. Studies show that just eight supply chains account for 50% of global emissions. Collaborating with industry leaders enables us to accelerate decarbonization along these critical supply chains. With active platform users in over 140 countries, we’re shaping a global network of climate-conscious companies. Together, we’re proving that collective action is not only possible but also effective in driving meaningful change.

What do you see as the most important trends in the next 5 to 10 years for businesses in sustainability?

One major trend is closing the “sustainability skill gap.” Many leaders lack the training, knowledge, and tools needed to navigate climate data and leverage emerging technologies effectively. To address this, we focus on user-friendly solutions that don’t require advanced sustainability expertise. Our platform simplifies complex processes, fostering collaboration across departments and empowering companies to act decisively.

What role do you believe transparency plays in achieving climate goals, and how does ClimateChoice promote this within the supply chain?

Transparency is foundational for accountability and progress. Without accurate and transparent data, companies can’t comply with regulations, track improvements, or build trust with stakeholders. At ClimateChoice, we make transparency actionable. Our platform ensures that businesses not only meet reporting requirements but also use climate data as a strategic asset to drive real-world change.

ClimateChoice raised $2 million to expand its platform. How does this investment help accelerate your mission, and what are your next big goals?

This funding allows us to scale our platform across industries and geographies, enhancing global supply chain coverage. With the support of impact-driven investors like Gutter Capital, we’re refining our business model and doubling down on solving customer challenges. Our next big goal is to make climate-smart supply chains the standard, not the exception.

As a founder, how do you balance the pressures of scaling a business with the urgency of addressing climate change?

The beauty of our business model is that the more we scale, the greater our impact. For us, business growth and climate action go hand in hand, creating a positive feedback loop that drives both success and supply chain decarbonization.

Change takes time — both in business and in fighting climate change. My advice is to break big challenges into manageable steps. Focus on progress, not perfection, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly momentum builds. Stay resilient, and remember that every small step contributes to a much larger impact.

Picture @ClimateChoice

Thank you Lara Obst for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Is sustainable battery recycling the key to cleaner EVs?

By

StartupValley

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11/22/2024

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GTF Connect in Los Angeles celebrated innovative sustainability efforts, with Ascend Elements proudly nominated for the Green Awards on November 14. The company’s groundbreaking Hydro-to-Cathode® technology transforms used lithium-ion batteries into decarbonized EV battery materials, reducing carbon emissions by 50% compared to traditional methods and aiming for a 90% reduction by 2030

Can you walk us through the journey of Ascend Elements from its inception to where it stands today?

What was the initial inspiration behind the company, and what were the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages? Ascend Elements is on a mission to accelerate the global transition to net zero carbon emissions. The company does this with an ultra-efficient, patented process (Hydro-to-Cathode®) to recycle lithium-ion batteries and manufacture sustainable engineered cathode precursor (pCAM) and cathode active material (CAM) to power a new generation of cleaner electric vehicles. The Hydro-to-Cathode recycling and cathode manufacturing process can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.

Ascend’s recycling technology recovers 98% of the critical metals in used lithium-ion batteries and will offset the need for mining. Ascend Elements was founded in 2015, but work on the company’s core technology began at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2011. Co-founders Prof. Yan Wang and Dr. Eric Gratz started developing the Hydro-to-Cathode® direct precursor synthesis process in 2011 and filed the first patents on this technology in 2012. As background, the company was originally founded as Battery Resourcers, but changed its name to Ascend Elements in January 2022. From the beginning, the founders wanted to commercialize a more efficient and economical way to return used battery cathode materials back to the battery supply chain.

Ascend Elements’ Hydro-to-Cathode® technology is a major innovation in battery recycling. Could you explain how it works and why it is a game-changer in producing EV battery materials?

We invented a new way to recycle lithium-ion batteries and produce new, sustainable cathode precursor and cathode active material. Our process is called Hydro-to-Cathode® direct precursor synthesis. It’s an innovative, patented process that eliminates many steps in the traditional cathode manufacturing process.Hydro-to-Cathode® is an elegant, purpose-built solution for battery recycling and cathode manufacturing.The process was invented at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts and our first patents were filed in 2012. Instead of extracting individual metals from used battery materials, we can extract the impurities and leave the critical metals in a liquid solution. From there, we adjust the elemental composition of the material to the desired specifications and precipitate new cathode material. Our process eliminates up to 15 steps in the traditional cathode manufacturing process.

By using recycled battery materials as our feedstock and using the ultra-efficient Hydro-to-Cathode® process, we can significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with electric vehicle battery manufacturing. We recently commissioned an independent life cycle assessment (LCA) of our NMC 622 cathode active material (CAM) made with recycled battery materials. We found that our current cathode manufacturing process results in 49% lower carbon emissions compared to manufacturing the same cathode material in the traditional way with primary material from mining. That’s good, but we have plans to further decarbonize our process to achieve a 90% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Instead of extracting the critical battery metals (nickel, cobalt and manganese) one by one, we extract impurities like aluminum, copper, plastics and graphite.

You’ve set an ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2030. What are the main steps and technological improvements that will help you reach this target?

The primary levers to further decarbonize the Hydro-to-Cathode® direct precursor synthesis process are the use of 100% renewable energy in our recycling and manufacturing facilities, use of rail to transport materials, and use of responsibly sourced lithium carbonate (Li²CO³). By adjusting these levers, we aim to further reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to production of primary materials from mining. As we move forward on our decarbonization path, the Hydro-to-Cathode® process will emit carbon dioxide from processing (44%), raw materials (41%) and transport (15%).

Sourcing enough lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap must be essential to your operations. What are the main challenges in this sourcing process, and how does Ascend Elements manage them?

Ascend Elements is helping to prepare for the tsunami of retired and end-of-life EV batteries that is expected in the coming decade. By 2034, analysts expect there will be more than 1 million tons of used batteries to recycle each year in the United States and Europe. But until those end of life batteries need to be recycled, there are always warranty returns, recalls and damaged batteries that need recycling now. Additionally, the largest source of battery material for recycling today is gigafactory manufacturing scrap. When new batteries are manufactured, a small amount of scrap is always produced. This scrap material adds up to a significant amount of material to be recycled each year.

Many consumers still hold misconceptions about the environmental impact of EVs. How do you address these misconceptions, and what role does Ascend Elements play in making EVs more sustainable and truly “green”?

It’s true that manufacturing an electric vehicle produces more carbon emissions than manufacturing a similarly sized internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. However, once the cars are driven off the assembly line, the electric vehicle can stop producing new carbon emissions (if it is powered by clean, renewable energy source.) An ICE vehicle that burns fossil fuels will continue adding to its carbon footprint as the vehicle is driven. The use of sustainable recycled battery material in new electric vehicle batteries will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of new electric vehicles.

In terms of quality and performance, how do your recycled cathode materials compare to those made with virgin materials? Do your customers see any performance or cost differences? Several peer-reviewed studies have shown Ascend Elements’ recycled battery materials perform as well as similar materials made from virgin (or mined) sources. There’s no performance penalty for use of recycled materials in a lithium-ion battery. This independent research has been instrumental in alleviating automotive industry concerns about the use and performance of recycled battery materials.

The EV industry is booming, but it’s also very competitive and fast-changing. How does Ascend Elements stay at the forefront of innovation, and what trends are you seeing that will shape the future of battery recycling?

Ascend Elements was founded on innovation with its first patent issued in 2012. The company has continued innovating new solutions and more efficient processes ever since then. Today the company has more than 120 patents pending and granted. The company’s founding technology, Hydro-to-Cathode® direct precursor synthesis, was developed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts. It is the most efficient and economical way to return used batteries and scrap to the domestic supply chain. As a result, we can produce new pCAM more economically than anyone outside China. Innovation is the only way to compete with China’s dominance in the EV battery industry.

What role does renewable energy play in Ascend Elements’ operations, and how are you working to increase its use within your production processes?

Our decarbonization plans rely on extensive use of renewable energy. Our facilities in Georgia and Kentucky are powered by a combination of hydroelectric power and solar.

As you expand, what regions and markets are you focusing on?

Are there specific areas where you see a strong demand for sustainable battery materials? Based in Westborough, Mass., Ascend Elements has domestic operations in Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan and Massachusetts. The company recently expanded into Europe with a joint venture facility in Poland. Working with Elemental Strategic Metals in Poland as AE Elemental JV, we plan to operate recycling facilities in both Poland and Germany. The European electric vehicle market is more mature than in the United States and regulations are favorable to battery recycling. Expanding into Europe will allow us to better service our customers locally and help the industry comply with new EU rules requiring recycled material in new batteries.

Funding and partnerships are critical in scaling up an operation like yours. How has Ascend Elements secured its position financially, and what role do collaborations play in your growth strategy?

Ascend Elements is funded by a variety of strategic investors and venture capital. Major investors include Jaguar Land Rover, Fifth Wall, Just Climate, Decarbonization Partners, Temasek, TDK Ventures and many others. We have also received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. We have had close collaborations with Orbia’s Koura Global and Freudenberg e-Power Systems on various projects. In 2023, we signed a $1B contract with a major customer to produce sustainable pCAM for an electric vehicle battery application. Commercial agreements like this require significant collaboration as we make a custom-engineered product for each customer.

What regulatory or policy challenges do you face in scaling your operations globally, and how do you navigate these hurdles?

Regulations in the European Union are favorable to battery recycling and the recycled battery materials industry. By 2031, 70% of batteries in the EU will need to be recycled and recycling services must reach an efficiency of at least 70%. Additionally, under the new EU rules, all new cells must contain minimum levels of recycled content (16% for Co, 6% for Ni and 6% for Li). These regulations are creating demand for recycling services and recycled products in Europe. In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides incentives for EV manufacturers to use recycled battery materials in new vehicles. However, the future of this EV tax credit is unclear with the new Trump administration. President-elect Trump has suggested increased tariffs on Chinese battery products, which would likely increase demand for U.S. made and recycled battery materials.

Looking forward, what are Ascend Elements’ most exciting milestones or projects in the pipeline that you believe will significantly impact the EV and battery recycling industries?

In 2025, we will begin production of sustainable pCAM at a commercial scale at our Apex 1 facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. This plant will be North America’s first and only domestic source of NMC pCAM material. We already have customers lined up for shipments of our sustainable pCAM material and they plan to use the material in electric vehicles beginning in 2026.

Finally, for aspiring entrepreneurs in the clean tech space, what advice would you offer, especially around innovation, perseverance, and environmental responsibility?

Clean tech entrepreneurs need to keep the fundamentals of business and supply and demand in mind. A good business model is essential. Green investors are still investors and they expect a return on their investment. Your business model must work on its own without reliance on governmental interventions, tax breaks or green subsidies.

Picture: Eric Gratz @Ascend Elements

Thank you Eric Gratz for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Can sustainable recycling truly replace virgin materials?

By

StartupValley

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11/19/2024

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Prism is revolutionizing the recycling industry by transforming end-of-life tires and plastics into sustainable, high-performance materials that reduce carbon footprints and support a circular economy

Could you give us an overview of Prism Worldwide and introduce the founding team behind the company?

Spike Anderson, William Coe, and I founded Prism in 2019. Spike introduced the concept of tire technology to William and the use of ground tire rubber for asphalt. And Spike contacted me, and after understanding the patents, we formed a company because of the broad applications that could be developed with its foundation.

Prism’s mission is to create polymers used in many everyday materials, including plastic water bottles, phone earbuds, and car tires, that achieve the required specifications of virgin materials, utilizing rubber from end-of-life tires (EOL) (which constitutes post-consumer recycled material) with the combinations of Post-Industrial Recycled (PIR) and Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics. As a result, this provides a valued base product that delivers quality, price advantage, and sustainability.

What inspired the creation of Prism Worldwide, and how did the idea for sustainable tire and plastic recycling first come about?

There are 1.3 billion end-of-life tires generated worldwide, increasing each year, with more than 300 million EOLs in the U.S. alone. 35.7 million tons of plastics require recycling each year in the U.S. Only 8.7% is recycled. With EOL tire recycling, more than 50% of the tires are burned for fuel, 25% are used on roads, ball fields, roadside mulch, and other less industrious ways, and 25% still go to landfill or are illegally dumped.

When forming Prism, we realized that with strong technology and development, which we refer to as hard tech, we could develop the utilization of both waste streams that would generate more than $75 billion in revenue. Combining performance recycled material with virgin materials, we could offer specifications that manufacturers want with a value proposition and a sustainable approach they desire. In addition, we believe and now know that these materials could be recycled. Our technology provides the best solution to create the highest recycled content in Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), a type of plastic that can be recycled and is considered an eco-conscious option; thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), a type of TPE that can be recycled, elastomers, and modified olefins without sacrificing performance.

Prism Worldwide aims to reduce the carbon footprint from end-of-life tires and recycled plastics. How does the company plan to achieve this vision on a global scale?

We can reduce the carbon footprint because our technology is not capital-intensive to scale; it’s energy-efficient because it’s produced starting at ambient temperatures. It creates significant carbon savings versus the same specification virgin materials are made of, which are heavily carbon intensive per metric ton. Our goal is to expand our manufacturing footprint or create opportunities for strategic investment/partnerships with larger polymer manufacturers that want to add sustainable materials to their portfolio.

Who is the primary audience for Prism Worldwide’s technology, and what unique needs do they have that you aim to address?

We have a broad and diversified initial customer base, from materials for telecommunication pedestals that are supplied to tier-one companies to applications in automotive parts and accessories. Since we produce value-focused materials, the sustainability story gives manufacturers a bonus. By 2030, the upcoming mandates for the EU call for 25% of new automobiles to use sustainable materials, and 25% of that material will be PCR material. This will provide us with significant opportunities.

We are also developing Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), a synthetic rubber material that’s durable, flexible, and resistant to many environmental factors, and TPV material with substantial recycled content. That will reach a high-value polymer materials market wide open to a new class of sustainable products.

What are some of the biggest challenges Prism Worldwide faces in terms of scaling its technology, and how are you addressing these obstacles?

Our purchase of CRC Polymer Systems (CRC) in 2022 provided a platform for us to commercially scale our materials. We look at this plant as a scale-up performance plant that can allow us to scale revenue. In this location, we have our R & D team, lab, and the equipment to produce in volume. We can take the experience from our Sodus, NY, plant to scale a larger greenfield location.

In what ways does Prism Worldwide differentiate itself from other companies in the recycling and sustainability sector?

There is a long history of companies trying to devulcanize EOL tire rubber. The playing field is scattered with failures. What makes us different and unique is that we know that in our patented process, we rendered the sulfur inert and created a functional polymer intermediate that can be utilized whether you want to cross-link the material or not in a wide variety of materials.

While we expect to be EBITDA positive on a monthly basis by Q3 2025, we want to build cash reserves for expansion, potential acquisitions, plant capital, technical team expansion, and new opportunities. We expect this will be the final equity raise because conventional banking arrangements will present themselves as we hit our financial goals.

What are some of the key developments or innovations that Prism Worldwide plans to introduce in the next five years?

The TPV and EDPM markets will be a significant development for the company. Not only do we believe we can hit performance specifications, but we can offer these materials with large value propositions in comparison to virgin materials.

What drives you personally to pursue this mission in sustainable recycling, and what do you find most rewarding about this journey?

I built one of the largest private-label bottled water manufacturing companies in my previous career. That company produced billions of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles. I have a motto, “ I am not anti-plastic; I am pro-recycling.”

As a grandfather of four beautiful grandchildren, I believe it’s my duty to assist in the battle to reuse materials that can create second and third-functional lives. I want to contribute to helping make a better world for them and future generations. This is a mission I completely believe in, as do my children and the new generation of leaders who are in their mid-40s and underage groups.

Every time we help create materials for a new application that allows for some substitution of virgin materials, It provides me great joy and a sense of doing the right thing.

How does Prism Worldwide ensure that its approach is both environmentally responsible and economically viable?

Our patented process uses less energy than other recycling technologies. We work extremely hard to maintain that approach throughout our development.

What are three essential pieces of advice you would offer to new founders aiming to build a sustainable business?

Is there a need for your idea or product, and does it meet the required performance specifications?
Is there a value proposition versus the current technology or application? This means that manufacturers and consumers still do not want to pay a premium for green applications.
Be patient and persistent in your company mission. It takes time to change the direction of potential customers who are comfortable in their ways.

Looking forward, what do you envision as the biggest opportunities for growth and innovation in the recycling and sustainability industry?

We are past the pioneering development stage in recycling and sustainability. As companies figure out how to make more post-consumer materials usable and available, sustainable technologies have huge potential to partner with virgin-based companies/manufacturers to grow a bigger business universe and a better world.

Picture: Bob Abramowitz co-founder and CEO, @ Prism

Thank you Bob Abramowitz for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Is Simplicity the Key to Transforming Your Daily Wellness Routine?

By

Sabine Elsässer

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11/19/2024

0

éclat is redefining wellness with innovative, all-in-one solutions that blend beauty, health, and simplicity into your daily routine

The idea for éclat came from a moment of inspiration between my mother and me. My mother has been using collagen for years, long before it became widely popular, and she’s always trusted its benefits for her skin. When she entered menopause, she started adding more and more supplements to her routine, each targeting a different need. Then, during the pandemic, we found ourselves at the kitchen table, asking, ‘Why are there so many separate products? Couldn’t we create something better that combines them all?’

With her background in pharmacy and my experience in the beauty industry, we began working on éclat as a comprehensive solution. We wanted an all-in-one product that would simplify wellness routines without sacrificing quality. Our formula is unique: it has a pleasant tropical taste and combines 6,000 milligrams of marine collagen, 120 milligrams of hyaluronic acid, and sixteen essential vitamins and minerals to support skin, hair, nails, and overall health. Buying these ingredients separately would be expensive, but with our three-month subscription, it’s just one euro a day—making it both accessible and effective

What inspired the vision behind éclat, and how do you plan to bring this vision to life?

The vision behind éclat is to empower everyone to radiate happiness and confidence by making self-care simple, nourishing, and joyful. We believe true radiance starts within, so our products are designed to support inner wellness as the foundation for outer beauty and vitality.

Who is the primary target audience for éclat, and what unique needs or desires are you aiming to fulfill with your products?

The primary target audience for éclat is individuals aged 30+, with a focus on those seeking effective, all-in-one wellness solutions. While our products are designed for a broad age range, we see a significant number of women in their 50s and 60s choosing our collagen products. They are drawn to éclat because it not only makes them feel good but also delivers visible results, supporting their ongoing beauty, vitality, and confidence.

What distinguishes éclat from other brands in the beauty industry, and what would you say is éclat’s strongest unique selling point?

Our signature collagen blend combines fish collagen, hyaluronic acid, and 16 essential vitamins and minerals, making it a comprehensive solution for daily wellness. While other brands sell each of these ingredients separately, we bring them together in one premium product, ensuring high-quality ingredients without the high price tag—making it affordable for everyone.

Additionally, our tropical collagen taste is “unprecedented”—it’s truly delicious, making the daily routine of drinking it a treat rather than a chore. This unique combination of effectiveness, affordability, and taste sets éclat apart, providing a simple yet powerful way to support beauty and vitality from within.

One of the challenges éclat has faced is working with family, as the business is always top of mind. It’s never truly “off,” whether we’re on vacation or at family dinners. While this constant focus can be inspiring, it can also be challenging since the boundaries between business and personal life often blur. Finding a balance between the two has been a key challenge, but it’s also part of what drives our passion and commitment to the brand.

How do you stay in touch with customer needs and preferences, and what role do customer insights play in your product development?

We make it a priority to stay in close touch with our customers’ needs and preferences by regularly requesting their feedback on our products and services. We send out surveys to gather input, and this process is incredibly important to us. It’s one thing to ask for feedback, but it’s another to act on it—and we do just that. We take all feedback, whether positive or constructive, seriously and use it to shape improvements in everything from product versions to our website and email communication. If our customers have suggestions for improvement, we are committed to listening and making changes to ensure they feel valued and supported.

What are the current trends in the beauty industry, and how does éclat intend to lead or adapt to them?

Gut health is gaining significant attention in the beauty and wellness industry, as more research reveals the essential role of a healthy gut in overall well-being. A balanced gut microbiome doesn’t just support digestion; it also impacts skin health, immune function, energy levels, and even mood. This “inside-out” approach to beauty and wellness has led many consumers to prioritize products that support gut health as a foundation for their overall vitality.

In response to this trend and growing demand, we launched an all-in-one gut support drink that brings together key ingredients to nurture and balance the gut microbiome. Our gut support formula is designed to be both effective and easy to integrate into daily routines, providing prebiotics, probiotics, and essential nutrients in one convenient drink. By offering a product that directly targets gut health, we’re helping our customers build a strong foundation for beauty and wellness, supporting their journey to feel and look their best from the inside out.

This all-in-one approach to gut health reflects our commitment to making wellness as accessible and enjoyable as possible, aligning with our vision of holistic, simple, and effective self-care solutions.

As éclat grows, what are some of the next big milestones you’re hoping to achieve?

As éclat grows, one of our next big milestones is expanding internationally, with Germany and Sweden as key targets. We’re excited to introduce our products to a wider audience and share the benefits of our all-in-one wellness solutions beyond the Netherlands. Our goal is to make éclat accessible to more people who value holistic health and beauty, ensuring that everyone can experience our products without limitations or borders. This expansion will allow us to build a more connected community and bring our vision of accessible, enjoyable wellness to new markets.

What three pieces of advice would you offer to aspiring founders looking to launch their own startup, especially in a competitive field like beauty?

Just Start – Progress over perfection: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you launch. Many founders hold back, waiting for a flawless website or a fully polished product. But if you keep waiting for that ideal moment, it may never come. Just start! Even if your website isn’t exactly as you envisioned, you’ll have plenty of time to refine things as you go. Getting started is key, and you’ll improve along the way.

Know your unique value: The beauty industry is competitive, so it’s essential to know what makes your brand different. Focus on solving a specific need and offering something unique, like a special ingredient, an all-in-one solution, or a more streamlined approach. A clear, strong value proposition will help you stand out and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Prioritize your customers: Keep your customers at the center of your brand and listen to their feedback closely. Regularly engage with them, whether through surveys or one-on-one conversations, and be open to making changes based on their needs and insights. Building strong relationships with your customers is invaluable—it builds loyalty and ensures you’re delivering something they truly value.

How does éclat incorporate sustainability into its business practices, and why is this an important value for the brand?

At éclat, we integrate sustainable options wherever we can, striving to make eco-friendly choices across our product range. For instance, we offer various solutions for joint and gut health in capsule form, and to reduce waste, we’re introducing refill packages so customers can reuse their original glass jars rather than purchasing a new one each time.

These small steps reflect our commitment to minimizing environmental impact while still delivering high-quality wellness solutions. Sustainability is an ongoing journey for us, and we’re dedicated to making choices that support both our customers’ health and the planet.

What standards and processes do you have in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of éclat’s product line?

To ensure the quality and effectiveness of éclat’s products, we follow strict standards throughout our entire process, from ingredient sourcing to final production. One key ingredient in our formulations is collagen sourced from Peptan Rousselot, a globally recognized leader in high-quality collagen. Peptan Rousselot adheres to the highest industry standards, ensuring that their collagen is not only highly bioavailable but also produced using sustainable and ethical practices. Their strict quality controls guarantee that the collagen we use is pure, potent, and effective.

We also work with other carefully selected, science-backed ingredients like hyaluronic acid and essential vitamins and minerals.Our manufacturing process maintains high standards, with every batch tested to meet both regulatory requirements and our own quality benchmarks

Where do you see éclat in five years, and what steps are you taking today to achieve these long-term goals?

In five years, we envision éclat as a leading global brand in the wellness and beauty industry, recognized for offering effective, all-in-one solutions that empower individuals to feel their best from the inside out. We hope to expand our reach to even more countries, allowing us to serve a broader customer base and build a strong, international community of people who embrace holistic wellness.

Bildcredits © éclat

Thank you Gamze Ulker for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Premium Start-up: éclat

Contact:

Eclatant Beauty BV
Gamze Ulker
Vreeswijkstraat 19
Tilburg, 5036 VA
Netherlands

www.eclatbeauty.de
info@eclatant-beauty.com

Ansprechpartner: Gamze Ulker

Can CO₂ Really Fuel the Future of Aviation?

By

StartupValley

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11/15/2024

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Twelve has won the GREEN AWARDS Los Angeles in the Start-up category on November 14, recognized for its innovative contributions to sustainable technology

What inspired the founding of Twelve, and what challenges in the aviation and energy sectors did you hope to address with E-Jet®?

Carbon Transformation was born from breakthrough discoveries by Dr. Etosha Cave and Dr. Kendra Kuhl at Stanford, where they researched ways of transforming CO₂ to shift the climate change paradigm by viewing CO₂ as a feedstock rather than waste. They co-founded Twelve with fellow Stanford graduate and cleantech entrepreneur Nicholas Flanders to take their discoveries from the lab and translate them into a commercial solution. Twelve was founded in 2015 by Nicholas Flanders, Etosha Cave, and Kendra Kuhl. The co-founders met at Stanford University, where Etosha and Kendra were PhD students studying electrocatalysts for CO₂ conversion, and Nicholas was getting his MBA.

Etosha, who grew up near oil refineries in Texas, knows firsthand the harm they can bring to communities, leading her to explore alternative carbon sources. Inspired by her upbringing with a National Park ranger father, Kendra was driven by a passion for environmental protection. Nicholas met Etosha at the student space club, and he immediately recognized the potential of Kendra and Etosha’s technology if scaled. Together, they aimed to impact climate change with a scalable device that turns CO₂ into products conventionally made with fossil fuels. Twelve’s leadership team pairs personal dedication to climate action with the scientific, technical, and business expertise necessary to bring paradigm-shifting technology to scale.

Could you explain the process of carbon transformation and how E-Jet® SAF is produced from CO₂, water, and renewable energy?

Twelve’s carbon transformation technology works like industrial photosynthesis – making hydrocarbons from CO₂, water, and renewable energy via CO₂ electrolysis. At the core of Twelve’s technology is a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), a shiny black leaf that transforms CO₂ into essential chemicals, materials, and fuels traditionally derived from fossil fuels.

E-Jet® SAF has up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions than conventional jet fuel. What does this mean for the aviation industry’s carbon footprint?

Twelve’s E-Jet® fuel arrives at a pivotal time, as the aviation industry consumes 100 billion gallons of fossil fuels and emits 1.2 billion tons of CO₂ yearly. As the industry seeks emission reductions, Twelve’s technology can address up to 10% of global emissions and 50% of industrial emissions that are challenging to decarbonize. Theoretical deployment could address 2-3 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions annually—nearly 10% of global emissions—by replacing petrochemicals (1 Gt CO₂), aviation fuel (1 Gt CO₂), diesel for shipping, and long-haul trucking (0.5 Gt CO₂), along with biomethane upgrading (>0.2 Gt CO₂).

Your fuel has been certified by the U.S. Air Force. How did this validation impact Twelve’s credibility within the sustainable fuel sector?

E-Jet® fuel was tested and certified by the U.S. Air Force in 2021, is drop-in ready for use in existing aircraft, and is made to ASTM D7566 specifications, the same performance standard as fossil-based jet fuel. With up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions and fewer sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other particulate emissions, the certification has established our market validity. Partnerships with airlines such as Alaska Airlines & IAG, who plan to use Twelve’s E-Jet fuel across their networks, are bolstered by this certification, as is investor confidence in the future of SAF through the E-Jet product.

In your view, why is Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuel like E-Jet® more sustainable than biofuels?

E-Jet® fuel is a Power-to-Liquids (PtL) fuel made from recycled CO₂. PtL has up to 90% lower emissions than conventional jet fuel and 20-30% lower emissions than the leading SAF. The CO₂ used to produce E-Jet® fuel can be sourced from direct air capture or a point source, such as a paper mill or other biogenic processing facilities. This allows for unique synergies with climate-focused organizations, particularly carbon capture organizations. By producing E-Jet® fuel with captured CO₂, Twelve creates a closed carbon loop, addressing the question of what to do with captured emissions.
Find more out in our Know Your SAF Guide.

What are the key challenges in scaling up production to meet SAF demand?

To scale E-Jet® fuel production, additional project financing is essential for building fuel production facilities. Clean energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydropower are critical inputs to our process. Our initial production facilities will target regions with abundant clean energy and sources of biogenic CO₂, derived from living organisms and part of the natural carbon cycle. Examples of biogenic CO₂ sources include ethanol plants, pulp and paper mills, and more.

Twelve recently launched the “Fuel for the Long Haul” campaign. This campaign reflects our vision for a sustainable future by setting new standards in the sustainable aviation sector.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gauravsharma/2024/02/29/californian-firm-and-british-airways-owner-iag-ink-largest-deal-for-sustainable-aviation-fuel/
https://biofuels-news.com/news/iag-and-twelve-secure-saf-deal/
https://www.twelve.co/post/twelve-launches-fuel-for-the-long-haul-campaign-setting-a-new-standard-for-sustainable-aviation

With growing interest in SAF, how does Twelve differentiate itself from other companies in the SAF market?

Most SAFs are made with biomass, yet there isn’t enough biomass to decarbonize aviation fully without risks such as deforestation and pollution from land use. Unlike biomass-based fuels, E-Jet is made from recycled CO₂. This CO₂ can be sourced from direct air capture or point sources like paper mills, enabling synergies with other climate-focused organizations, notably in carbon capture. By using captured CO₂, Twelve establishes a closed carbon loop. Additionally, hydrogen fuels, while promising, are challenging to store on aircraft and don’t readily integrate with current planes. In contrast, E-Jet® is drop-in ready, allowing airlines to meet net-zero goals without significant operational changes. Once scaled, E-Jet® fuel is expected to be cost-competitive with fossil fuels without government incentives. Produced anywhere with access to CO₂, water, and electricity, it allows airlines to reduce emissions from fuel transport, as demonstrated in locations like San Francisco’s busy airport.

What’s your vision for SAF’s role in reducing aviation’s climate impact over the next decade?

The aviation industry consumes over 100 billion gallons of fossil fuels annually, emitting 1.2 billion tons of CO₂—a figure that may rise as fuel demand increases. Our vision is to transform this trend by replacing fossil-derived jet fuel with E-Jet® fuel, made from CO₂, water, and renewable electricity via carbon transformation technology. E-Jet fuel can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90%, decreasing not only CO₂ but also SO₂, NOx, and particulates, leading to cleaner air and a sustainable aviation future. We envision a future where supply chains and everyday products are powered by air, moving toward a fossil-free future beneficial to consumers, companies, and the planet.

As Twelve expands, what core values or philosophies guide your company culture?

“It Takes Everybody” is a core belief at Twelve. We recognize that no single company or industry can solve the climate crisis alone. Twelve is committed to supporting and empowering other innovators to reach their highest potential. With carbon transformation, we see limitless possibilities and are eager to collaborate with others to integrate our technology where it’s needed.

Looking back, what were some pivotal moments that shaped Twelve’s journey?

In July 2023, Twelve proudly broke ground on the first commercial demonstration-scale facility in the U.S. for producing power-to-liquid sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from CO₂, water, and renewable energy in Moses Lake, Washington. The plant is expected to start production in 2025, initially producing 5 barrels per day (50,000 gallons annually).

What advice would you offer entrepreneurs working in sustainability and clean technology?

For clean tech entrepreneurs, focus on scalable solutions that tackle high-impact sustainability challenges. Building trust with investors and partners is crucial, as is fostering collaborations to accelerate growth. Most importantly, resilience is key—maintain focus on long-term impact.

Finally, how can individuals and organizations support Twelve’s mission or contribute to the sustainable aviation transition?

Please join us on our journey to a world made from air by following along at www.twelve.co and signing up for our newsletter.

Bildcredits Twelve

Thank you Nicholas Flanders for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Could African Wellness Ingredients Be the Next Big Thing in Sustainable Beauty?

By

StartupValley

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11/15/2024

0

Kanafrik has been nominated for the Green Start-up Slam (Start-up Pitches on Stage) during the GTF CONNECT LOS ANGELES CONFERENCE on November 15

Mariama, Kanafrik is a pioneering initiative in the sustainable and zero-waste space. What inspired you to start Kanafrik, and how did your journey lead to this point?

I have always believed that if food is good enough to eat, it should be good enough to feed our skin. In the past, I worked in the beauty field, and for a very long time, I crafted my own cosmetics at home, beginning around 2004 or 2005. I even had a blog called Kitchen and Cosmetics. I’ve always been passionate about natural, clean beauty and using ingredients from Africa. Kanafrik’s products are largely inspired by what I have personally used over the years; I design and create all the recipes for Kanafrik, bringing my artistic background into each one. Founding Kanafrik was inspired not only by this passion but also by my curiosity about African ingredients, which led me to create our top sellers, like the Chebé hair cream ,body butters and scrubs made with African superfoods.

I saw a significant gap and lack of representation—a need for a store that could showcase African wellness ingredients and invite the world to discover their benefits in a way that is both beneficial and inclusive. With my commitment to sustainability, I noticed that the continent didn’t have a shop like this, so I created Africa’s first sustainable store, with sections for food, skincare, and natural ingredients, as well as a recycling program for customers to return and refill their Kanafrik glass jars. I even sourced jars from young students who sold them to support their families, helping pay for school fees and basic needs.

I wanted to preserve traditional methods of making raw ingredients that were at risk of disappearing.

During my travels to Africa, I would seek out natural products, only to be directed to local markets where a few women offered these ingredients—often without much local interest and sometimes not in ideal conditions. My activism in sustainability, combined with my love for natural ingredients, the opportunity to address a gap in the global beauty market, and the need to promote sustainable practices on the continent, all inspired me to create Kanafrik.

I wanted to make Made-in-Africa ingredients accessible to the world, introduce these ingredients to a global audience, and invite the new generation, diaspora, and global consumers to embrace Made in Africa with pride. I wanted to show that Africa has so much more to offer than the usual stereotypes of conflict and poverty—that we have a wellness culture that has yet to be fully tapped.

The beauty products you offer are handmade and clean. How do you maintain a balance between craftsmanship, innovation, and environmental impact when developing new products?

At Kanafrik, we emphasize quality and sustainability by ensuring our product remain handcrafted, allowing us to uphold transparency and authenticity in every ingredient we use. This approach aligns with our core values, fostering a closer connection with our customers by involving them directly in the making of our clean beauty products.

For items like shampoos, conditioners, based we integrate scientific advancements to enhance their effectiveness, while maintaining the natural, handcrafted essence that defines Kanafrik. This balance of tradition, innovation, and environmental consciousness lets us uphold the highest standards of quality and sustainability. By blending these elements, Kanafrik stands out as a brand dedicated to wellness for people and the planet, delivering products that are as impactful as they are meaningful.

You have been recognized globally for your work empowering women and girls, including by the UN. How does your mission to support women and girls intersect with Kanafrik’s business goals?

I truly love this question because it brings me back to my beginnings, my “why,” and my passion for empowering women and girls. Human rights and dignity have always been core motivators in my journey, and I began my first company as a nonprofit, There Is No Limit Foundation, to empower women, girls, and their communities. This commitment to empowerment has remained a guiding principle in all my endeavors. I often say that a business focused solely on profit is missing a vital purpose, and Kanafrik embodies this belief by integrating empowerment directly into its model.

With Kanafrik, we prioritize working with women producers and local farmers, sourcing ingredients like cacao butter and other essentials. When Kanafrik was founded, I made a personal investment in a women’s shea butter collective, as supporting women’s economic empowerment has always been central to my values. Moving forward, as Kanafrik is now establishing its base in New York, we’ll continue collaborating with local farmers in the USA and Africa. This dual approach allows us to blend our empowerment and sustainability values into our communities, supporting local suppliers in both regions while reducing our carbon footprint. Through this, we’re advancing our vision of our “farm-to-skin,” and “farm-to-table , steam to roots creating food and skincare that are healthy for people and good for our planet while creating opportunities for women and farmers across the globe as Kanafrik grows.

Kanafrik’s partnerships are built on empowering women producers and local farmers. By sourcing our raw ingredients from them, we support their economic growth and provide our customers with quality, sustainable products. We also collaborate directly with artisans from Mariama Fashion Production, where I design the prints and accessories that my artisan partners transform into fabrics. These fabrics are used to create zero-waste products, such as Kanafrik’s popular green reusable totes, pouches, and cosmetic bags, along with our signature pillows and textiles, embodying Kanafrik’s commitment to sustainability and empowerment.

Moving forward with our new vision, Kanafrik will expand these partnerships to include producers in the United States as we establish our base in New York. This shift allows us to enhance our global impact, creating a balanced supply chain that honors African heritage while supporting local artisans, farmers, and women producers in the U.S., Africa, and wherever Kanafrik will operate in the future.

Our efforts align closely with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By integrating U.S. producers and artisans alongside our African partners, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint, advocate for climate action (SDG 13), and promote a healthy lifestyle for consumers. Kanafrik’s “farm-to-skin” and “farm-to-table” steam to roots approach embodies our commitment to making a holistic impact on both people and the planet, upholding our new vision: “Wellness for you, Wellness for the planet.

You’ve been involved in projects like Designs 4 Unity and your Peace Collection for the UN. How do these global initiatives influence your work with Kanafrik?

Designs 4 Unity and the Peace Collection are both deeply connected to my belief in empowerment, human rights, and global unity. Designs 4 Unity provides opportunities for global artists across fashion, beauty, art, and culture to come together to create. This initiative empowers not only one community but opens doors for a global impact, much like my vision for Kanafrik.

I have had the honor of working with the United Nations multiple times, including when I was invited as the designer for International Peace Day. For this event, I created the Peace Collection to carry a message of unity and peace, values I hold dear. This collection went beyond fashion; it symbolized the power of collaboration. For the first time, I brought together African artisans and Mexican artisans through Mazehual via Designs 4 Unity, showing that cross-cultural unity can drive positive change.

This experience translates directly to Kanafrik. As I work to bring Africa’s wellness culture to the world, I’m building bridges that empower communities and inspire inclusivity. Kanafrik isn’t just about products; it’s about fostering a connection between people and the planet, bringing a piece of Africa to the world that heals, nourishes, and empowers. Just as Designs 4 Unity and the Peace Collection were rooted in a mission of positive change, Kanafrik embodies a commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural respect, aligning with my lifelong passion for global impact.

As a founder, you wear many hats. What has been the most rewarding part of building Kanafrik so far, and what do you hope to achieve in the next five years?

Starting Kanafrik has been one of my proudest achievements, as it combines all my passions—beauty, fashion, empowerment, sustainability, and cultural heritage. Through Kanafrik new vision and direction I’m bringing Africa’s essence to the world by introducing the first African, globally-inspired, sustainable luxury zero-waste lifestyle brand, promoting wellness for people and our planet. Kanafrik will also be the world’s first fully zero-waste brand that combines clean beauty, food, coffee shops, spa, and hospitality with cultural touches, all fully focused on sustainability.

In the next five years, I see Kanafrik expanding beyond the boundaries of a store into a global movement that addresses the urgent need for sustainable, health-focused living. My vision includes establishing a flagship Kanafrik Zero Waste Store, launching Kanafrik Zero Waste Epicerie, Kanafrik Zero Waste Coffee Shops, and Kanafrik Zero Waste Spa wellness services, as well as introducing sustainable food trucks under the Kanafrik Zero Waste brand that carry our values. Additionally, in the next phase, Kanafrik will develop into hospitality with a vision to deliver a fully immersive zero-waste experience, combining African culture, wellness, and sustainable living. Kanafrik will inspire people worldwide to live healthier, more sustainable lives, setting a new industry standard while honoring Africa’s beauty and cultural wealth.

How do you see the future of the sustainable beauty and wellness industry evolving, especially in terms of the integration of African heritage and modern sustainability practices?

I am hopeful for the future of sustainable beauty and wellness, as I know that startups like Kanafrik will contribute significantly to this impact and drive global change. People are increasingly craving access to foods, cosmetics, and environments that are healthy and transparent. Currently, the beauty and food industries are filled with chemicals and harmful ingredients, and there is no place that fully delivers the experience Kanafrik offers—wellness for both people and the planet. We are introducing the world’s first sustainable zero-waste shopping experience. I believe this will set a high bar for others to follow, and the new generation is demanding this transparency in what they eat and use.

Regardless of Kanafrik’s African inspiration, it caters to everyone as an inclusive brand, with a special section in our store dedicated to the world, called Kanafrik Kulture. We’re combining African heritage with modern sustainability practices, creating an experience that invites everyone to connect with our unique vision of wellness for people and the planet.

Your store is Africa’s first sustainable zero-waste store. Can you walk us through what a typical shopping experience is like for someone visiting Kanafrik?

At Kanafrik, shopping has always been an immersive experience that goes beyond a simple transaction. When customers enter, they step into a world crafted specifically for them, filled with unique touches and an environment where every element reflects our vision, sustainability, and cultural authenticity. From the store’s scent to the visual display of natural ingredients and the textures of my signature decor, the store embodies a harmonious blend of African heritage with authentic yet minimalist modern sustainability.

Customers can see and feel the raw ingredients used in our products, including Kanafrik’s popular, large shea butter display in African cooking pots—a signature activity that invites exploration. In our new vision, we’re creating even more experiences, educating customers on what goes into their skincare and the positive impact of their shopping choices on the planet. We’ll have new interactive stations like our “farm-to-skin” bar, where skincare chefs and specialists guide customers through custom beauty creations made from fresh, organic ingredients. In the future, our zero-waste kitchen will offer a “steam-to-roots” experience that highlights African-inspired, plant-based dishes and superfoods, creating a sensory journey aligned with our zero-waste and wellness principles.

The atmosphere is enhanced with music, art, and textiles designed by me and Mariama Fashion Production artisans, showcasing the artistry of African craftsmanship with minimalist and modern contemporary designs. This visual and sensory experience, along with the transparency and quality of our products, helps customers connect deeply with what they purchase and inspires them to embrace a sustainable, planet-first lifestyle.

Kanafrik’s products draw inspiration from African botanical treasures and beauty rituals. How do you ensure the authenticity and sustainability of the ingredients you source from across the continent?

We’ve developed a thoughtful approach to sourcing that honors the authenticity of African botanical treasures while upholding sustainable practices.

Africa is one of the few places where nature remains largely unspoiled. Many of the key ingredients we use come from ancient trees, revered as “trees of life,” such as the baobab, shea, and kinkeliba, while others like moringa grow naturally in the wild. Each ingredient in Kanafrik products is carefully selected, not only for its heritage and effectiveness but also for its alignment with our core values. We partner directly with trusted women-led cooperatives and local farmers in Africa who practice sustainable farming and harvesting techniques. Through these partnerships, we gain full transparency into the sourcing process, allowing us to verify the quality and purity of each ingredient from origin to application. Additionally, we test raw ingredients in the laboratory to ensure that they retain all nutrients and benefits, like our A-grade shea butter, which is chosen specifically to nourish and enrich the body.

Our collaboration with Mariama Fashion Production artisans also enables us to integrate authentic craftsmanship into our brand. In our new vision, we are committed to continuing this emphasis—whether through materials used in our packaging or design elements in our store. This dedication ensures that our products truly reflect our heritage while making a positive impact both locally and globally, supporting the communities where our ingredients are rooted.

The beauty and wellness industry has traditionally been less focused on sustainability. What challenges did you face when entering this market with a sustainable and clean beauty focus?

Entering the beauty and wellness industry with a sustainable focus came with challenges, but these became opportunities that shaped Kanafrik’s distinct value. Competing with fast production and established brands on price was tough, yet our dedication to quality, authenticity, and strong brand values helped us stand out. Customers quickly fell in love with our products and immersive experiences, which offered a transparency and cultural richness rarely seen, filling a unique gap in the market.

Another challenge was sourcing sustainable, high-quality packaging in Africa. We took a hands-on approach, working directly with women-led cooperatives and local farmers to ensure ethical practices and ingredient authenticity, while navigating limited sustainable packaging options and making use of what was available. Additionally, launching our brand during COVID confinement posed significant obstacles, but thriving in that period proved the value and future potential of brands like ours. Educating our consumers about the long-term health and environmental benefits of our products fostered trust and loyalty.

Ultimately, these challenges strengthened Kanafrik’s mission. Now, with our new vision and direction, our “farm-to-skin” and “farm-to-table” philosophies will bring consumers closer to the origins of their products, emphasizing a holistic approach that supports wellness for people and the planet. By transforming obstacles into opportunities, Kanafrik is a compelling choice for investors seeking sustainable, purpose-driven growth.

How do you see the future of the sustainable beauty and wellness industry evolving, especially in terms of the integration of African heritage and modern sustainability practices?

I am optimistic about the future of the sustainable beauty and wellness industry, especially as more brands embrace transparency and prioritize health, authenticity, and environmental impact. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that they trust and understand, demanding clean ingredients and practices that respect both people and the planet.

Kanafrik is uniquely positioned to lead in this space by bringing Africa’s rich heritage into modern sustainability practices. With our emphasis on “Wellness for you, Wellness for the planet,” we’re pioneering an approach that doesn’t just follow trends but creates a standard for future brands to aspire to. We are the first African globally-inspired, zero-waste lifestyle brand combining clean beauty, food, coffee shops, spas, and hospitality—all centered on a sustainable, immersive experience.

In this evolving market, we believe that people will increasingly look for brands that foster a sense of cultural appreciation and authenticity. Kanafrik aims to meet that demand by offering an inclusive, global experience through our “Kanafrik Kulture” section, where customers can discover curated global wellness products alongside our African-inspired offerings. By blending African heritage with modern practices, we’re setting a new bar for the industry, one that aligns with a conscious lifestyle and encourages others to follow suit.

Finally, what advice would you offer to entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the sustainable and clean beauty sector?

When entering any sector, especially sustainable and clean beauty, it’s crucial to think beyond profits. Place people and the planet at the center of your purpose. Always ask yourself, “What value am I bringing to my community and to the world? What problem am I solving?” This mindset has guided me even when resources were limited, as my businesses were entirely self-funded.

I’m thrilled to be part of the Green Tech Festival’s Green Startup Slam, which offers me the opportunity to share my vision with global communities, build Kanafrik’s vision as it was meant to be, and raise awareness and funds for our mission. With Kanafrik, our mantra—“Wellness for you, Wellness for the planet”—drives every decision. For entrepreneurs, I believe that approaching business with integrity and a commitment to sustainability will resonate with both consumers and investors, creating a foundation for meaningful and lasting impact.

Credit: Kanafrik

Thank you Mariama Camara for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

How AI is Transforming Radiology: Can It Redefine Diagnosis?

By

StartupValley

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11/15/2024

0

contextflow Markus Holzer, CEO and Co-Founder of contextflow

From Research to Radiology: How contextflow is Pioneering AI Solutions for Medical Imaging

Could you briefly introduce contextflow and the team behind it, and tell us what inspired you to start the company?

contextflow is a company I co-founded in Vienna with a mission to transform radiology workflows using artificial intelligence. Our flagship product, ADVANCE Chest CT, is designed to assist radiologists in analysing chest CT scans, especially for complex conditions like lung cancer, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ADVANCE Chest CT integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, providing both quantitative and qualitative insights that allow radiologists to make faster, more accurate diagnoses.

The team behind contextflow brings decades of expertise in medical imaging, AI, and healthcare innovation:

I’m Markus Holzer, CEO, with a background in Computer Science and Innovation Management from the Vienna University of Technology. My focus is on guiding contextflow’s strategic direction and ensuring our solutions meet real clinical needs.

Georg Langs, our Chief Scientist, is a Professor at the Medical University of Vienna and a research affiliate at MIT’s prestigious CSAIL (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory). Georg leads the technical and scientific vision at contextflow, drawing on deep expertise in imaging analysis.

Allan Hanbury, a Professor of Data Intelligence at the Vienna University of Technology, has coordinated major EU-funded AI projects, bringing invaluable experience in data science and medical informatics to the team.

Marcel Wassink, our Chief Commercial Officer, is a seasoned executive who built Philips’ speech recognition business, which was later acquired by Nuance and ultimately by Microsoft. Marcel drives our sales and partnership strategies, leveraging his extensive experience in scaling businesses within the healthcare sector.

The idea for contextflow was inspired by our work on the EU-funded KHRESMOI project, where we experienced the challenges radiologists face daily: growing workloads, specialist shortages, and increasingly complex cases. We saw an opportunity to bring advanced AI from research into clinical practice, supporting radiologists with tools that help make their jobs a bit easier and diagnoses more precise, ultimately benefiting patients with faster, more reliable results

What is the vision behind contextflow, and how do you plan to achieve it in the next few years?

With a focus on chest CT imaging for conditions like lung cancer, ILD, and COPD, contextflow aims to equip radiologists with AI tools that increase diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and confidence. Our goal is to make radiology workflows more effective and allow radiologists to concentrate on providing high-quality patient care by reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks.

We have recently shifted our focus to securing reimbursement in Europe, starting with lung cancer. Achieving this milestone will be key to making our technology widely accessible and to supporting radiologists in identifying and managing lung cancer cases more effectively. By demonstrating the clinical and economic value of our tools, we aim to ensure that hospitals and healthcare providers see both cost savings and improved patient outcomes with contextflow’s solutions.

Who is your primary target audience, and how do you ensure that their specific needs are met with your solutions?

Our primary target audience includes radiologists and radiology departments, particularly those managing high volumes of chest CT cases, as well as healthcare administrators focused on cost-effectiveness and improved patient outcomes. Additionally, we work closely with PACS vendors and hospital IT teams to ensure smooth integration into existing workflows.

To address the specific needs of radiologists, we design our AI tools to support their daily routines by reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks and improving diagnostic accuracy for challenging cases like lung cancer, ILD, and COPD. We collaborate directly with radiologists during the development process, gathering continuous feedback to refine and adapt our solutions so they’re clinically relevant and intuitive. Our focus on demonstrating the clinical and economic value of our tools is also central to our efforts to secure reimbursement, which will make contextflow more accessible and impactful in European hospitals.

For healthcare payers, we emphasise the cost savings our solutions can bring, as our tools help radiologists diagnose more quickly and reduce the likelihood of costly follow-up procedures. By partnering closely with radiologists, hospital IT, and administrative stakeholders, we ensure our solutions are both effective and aligned with the operational needs of modern healthcare facilities.

What are some of the key challenges you have encountered in the healthtech or medtech industry, and how has contextflow managed to overcome them?

One of the key challenges in the healthtech industry is the complexity of integrating new AI technologies into existing clinical workflows. Hospitals often operate with different PACS systems, each with unique configurations and requirements, which can make seamless integration a significant hurdle. At contextflow, we address this by working closely with PACS vendors and hospital IT teams to ensure our solutions fit naturally into radiologists’ daily routines without disrupting their workflow.

Another major challenge is demonstrating the clinical and economic value of AI tools in healthcare. Health systems are often cautious about adopting new technologies unless there’s a clear benefit to both patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. To address this, we conduct rigorous clinical studies and gather real-world data to validate the effectiveness of our AI tools, focusing specifically on measurable benefits like time savings and diagnostic accuracy improvements. This data not only helps radiologists but also supports our efforts to secure reimbursement in Europe, which is a critical focus for us in the coming years.

Finally, the regulatory landscape in healthtech can be challenging, with rigorous standards to ensure patient safety. contextflow has achieved CE certification for our ADVANCE Chest CT under Europe’s new MDR framework, which required substantial investment in quality management and compliance processes. By meeting these high standards, we demonstrate our commitment to safety and efficacy, which is crucial for building trust among healthcare providers and patients alike.

In a highly competitive market, what makes contextflow stand out from other companies in the field?

What makes contextflow stand out in the competitive AI radiology market is our comprehensive approach to chest CT imaging and our commitment to making a real impact on radiologists’ workflows. Our flagship product, ADVANCE Chest CT, isn’t just about detecting a single disease; it provides radiologists with comprehensive support for multiple conditions, including lung cancer, ILD, and COPD. By covering a range of findings in one tool, we help ensure radiologists don’t miss any crucial details within a scan, which sets us apart from many solutions that focus narrowly on one or two patterns.

Workflow integration is another important differentiator. We know that radiologists don’t have time for interruptions or complex new systems. That’s why our solution is designed to fit seamlessly into their existing PACS, allowing them to access AI insights without changing their usual routine. This smooth integration makes our technology not only easier to adopt but also genuinely valuable in everyday practice.

We have also put a lot of effort into making our technology transparent and trustworthy. Our AI is designed to explain its findings, so radiologists can see how results are generated and have confidence in what the tool presents. This is a major factor for adoption in clinical environments, where transparency is crucial.

Clinical validation has also been a key focus.

We’ve conducted extensive studies and partnered with leading medical institutions to ensure our tools deliver real value in a clinical setting. This evidence-based approach demonstrates the effectiveness of our solutions, which supports our goal to secure reimbursement in Europe, starting with lung cancer.

Ultimately, by combining comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, easy integration, transparency, and a clear focus on reimbursement and clinical impact, contextflow brings unique value to radiology departments that is unmatched in the market. We’re here to support radiologists in their work, not replace them, and that’s a mission we stand firmly behind.

We’re excited to share some recently released and upcoming developments at contextflow aimed at enhancing radiologists’ workflows and improving patient outcomes:

Malignancy Scoring Integration: We’ve incorporated a malignancy Similarity Index (mSI) into ADVANCE Chest CT. This feature analyses lung nodules for malignancy, assisting in early cancer detection and reducing unnecessary procedures. In clinical studies, the mSI has been shown to detect cancer up to one year sooner while reducing false positives.

TIMELINE Feature for Nodule Tracking: Our TIMELINE feature allows radiologists to visualize and quantify changes in lung nodules over time, facilitating efficient follow-up assessments and treatment planning.

Incidental Pulmonary Embolism Detection: We are introducing an incidental Pulmonary Embolism (PE) feature, designed to alert radiologists to potential cases of PE that may otherwise go undetected. This feature will help radiologists identify PEs in chest CT scans where the primary focus might be elsewhere, ensuring that critical findings are not overlooked.

Focus on Reimbursement: We’re actively pursuing reimbursement approvals in Europe, starting with lung cancer applications. Securing reimbursement is pivotal for making our technology accessible to a broader range of healthcare providers and patients, thereby amplifying its impact.

What role does artificial intelligence play in your technology, and how do you see its future within the medical sector?

Artificial intelligence is at the core of contextflow’s technology. Our AI-driven tools analyse and interpret chest CT images, detecting complex patterns associated with conditions like lung cancer, ILD, and COPD. By automatically highlighting relevant findings and providing quantitative insights, AI helps radiologists make faster, more accurate decisions, reducing the likelihood of missed diagnoses and allowing them to focus on high-quality patient care.

AI’s role is not to replace radiologists but to support them by handling repetitive tasks, providing contextual information, and identifying subtle patterns that might otherwise be missed. For example, our AI doesn’t just detect a lung nodule; it tracks changes over time and offers insights on malignancy likelihood, which can be critical in early cancer detection and treatment planning.

In the future, I see AI playing an even larger role in the medical sector as its capabilities expand to cover more imaging modalities and other areas of healthcare. AI will likely be instrumental in helping healthcare systems manage increasing workloads, ensuring diagnostic consistency, and potentially identifying new biomarkers that advance medical research. As AI becomes more integrated and accepted, I envision it as a critical partner for healthcare providers, supporting them in achieving better outcomes while maintaining a human-centered approach to medicine.

Building a startup is not easy—what are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learnt along the way?

Building contextflow has been an incredible journey, filled with both challenges and rewarding lessons. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learnt is the importance of focus and prioritisation. In a startup, resources are often limited, and there are countless directions you could go. It’s essential to stay clear on your mission and prioritise initiatives that drive real value for users. For us, that has meant focusing on building solutions that genuinely improve radiologists’ workflows and patient outcomes.

Another key lesson is the importance of building strong relationships and partnerships. From day one, we’ve collaborated closely with radiologists, PACS vendors, and hospital IT departments to ensure our tools are effective and seamlessly integrate into existing workflows. Listening to feedback from end users has been invaluable, as it allows us to continuously adapt and refine our solutions based on real clinical needs.

Adaptability is also crucial. The healthcare and regulatory landscapes are constantly evolving, and being able to adjust quickly to changes in technology, compliance requirements, or market dynamics has been critical to our growth. For example, our recent focus on securing reimbursement for lung cancer in Europe reflects our adaptability to meet both clinical and economic needs.

Lastly, I’ve learnt the importance of having a mission-driven team. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision and are passionate about making a difference is essential for long-term success. Our team’s dedication to improving healthcare through AI has kept us moving forward, even when things get tough.

For other aspiring entrepreneurs, what are three essential pieces of advice you would give when starting a company in the tech or healthcare space?

For anyone looking to start a company in the tech or healthcare space, here are three key pieces of advice I’d offer based on my experience with contextflow:

Understand the Problem Deeply: Before diving into solutions, spend time understanding the pain points of your end users. In healthcare, this means working closely with professionals on the ground, whether they’re doctors, administrators, or IT staff. At contextflow, our close collaboration with radiologists has been invaluable in developing tools that actually solve real-world challenges.

Navigate the Regulatory Landscape Early: Healthcare is a highly regulated industry, and compliance requirements can be a significant barrier if not addressed from the start. Research the regulatory landscape early and build these considerations into your development process. This will save time and resources down the road and ensure that your product is safe, effective, and meets industry standards. Achieving CE certification for ADVANCE Chest CT was a crucial milestone for us, and having regulatory insights from the start made that process smoother.

Build a Mission-Driven Team: In the healthcare sector especially, the work can be challenging and progress may feel slow at times. Surround yourself with people who believe in your mission and are passionate about making a difference. A dedicated, resilient team is essential for tackling the unique challenges of healthcare and keeping you motivated through the ups and downs.

Starting a company in healthcare can be complex, but if you keep your mission clear, stay focused on real clinical needs, and build a strong, committed team, the journey can be incredibly rewarding.

How does contextflow address the evolving demands of radiologists, and what feedback have you received from your users so far?

At contextflow, we prioritise understanding and addressing the evolving needs of radiologists. Our flagship product, ADVANCE Chest CT, is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows, providing comprehensive support for conditions like lung cancer, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By automating repetitive tasks and offering quantitative insights, we enable radiologists to focus more on patient care.

User feedback has been instrumental in refining our solutions. Radiologists have expressed appreciation for features like the TIMELINE view, which facilitates efficient follow-up imaging analysis. Dr. Gerlig Widmann, Managing Senior Physician at the University Department of Radiology at the Medical University of Innsbruck, highlighted the value of this feature in clinical practice, noting its utility in analysing follow-up scans.

Additionally, our focus on transparency and integration has been well received. Jacob Visser, Chief Medical Information Officer & Head of Imaging IT and Value-Based Imaging at Erasmus MC, emphasised the importance of contextflow’s transparent approach compared to other AI solutions, appreciating its design that supports workflow while leaving final decisions to the radiologist.

By continuously engaging with radiologists and incorporating their feedback, we ensure that our tools evolve in line with their needs, ultimately enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

What are your thoughts on the future of AI in healthcare, and how do you think it will change the industry over the next decade?

I believe the future of AI in healthcare is incredibly promising, with the potential to transform nearly every aspect of the industry. In the next decade, I expect AI to play a pivotal role in helping healthcare providers manage the growing complexity and volume of medical data, improve diagnostic accuracy, and ultimately provide more personalised patient care.

In radiology specifically, AI will continue to evolve from being a supportive tool to a highly integrated, essential component of diagnostic workflows. AI-powered tools like ours will help radiologists focus on more complex cases by automating repetitive tasks and providing insights that may be challenging to detect with the human eye alone. Over time, as AI systems become more advanced and gain the trust of healthcare professionals, they could even identify new biomarkers, contributing to earlier detection and new treatment pathways.

Beyond radiology, AI’s ability to analyse large-scale data could enable truly personalised medicine, where patient care is tailored based on specific health profiles and predicted responses to treatments. I also foresee AI becoming crucial in preventive care, helping predict patient risk factors and enabling earlier intervention to prevent diseases before they progress.

Of course, for AI to reach its full potential, the industry will need to address challenges such as regulatory standards, data privacy, and ensuring that AI remains a transparent, trustable tool for clinicians. But with the right focus, AI has the potential to make healthcare more effective, accessible, and patient-centred over the coming decade.

How do you maintain a balance between innovation and regulatory compliance in the medtech sector, especially as you continue to grow?

Balancing innovation with regulatory compliance is essential in the medtech sector, particularly as we scale. At contextflow, we see compliance not as a barrier but as a guiding framework that ensures our solutions are safe, reliable, and effective. We incorporate regulatory requirements from the very start of our development process, which allows us to innovate within a structured and compliant framework.

Our approach to maintaining this balance involves building strong internal processes for quality management and working closely with regulatory experts to keep up-to-date with evolving standards. For instance, achieving CE certification for ADVANCE Chest CT under Europe’s MDR framework was a critical milestone for us. By embedding compliance into our product lifecycle, we can continue to develop new features and expand our offerings without compromising on patient safety or quality.

As we grow, we also prioritise transparency and collaboration with healthcare providers and regulatory bodies. We make it a point to ensure our AI solutions remain explainable, so radiologists and healthcare institutions can trust the technology. This balance between pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and adhering to rigorous standards is central to our mission. It allows us to bring cutting-edge AI tools to radiology while staying aligned with the regulatory requirements that keep patients safe.

Bildcredits contextflow

Thank you Markus Holzer for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Are We Finally Solving the Data Access Problem for SaaS Startups?

By

StartupValley

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11/15/2024

0

Veriam, a company specializing in secure access and subscription management solutions, is redefining how SaaS startups handle data access, billing, and identity management

What inspired the founding of Veriam, and could you tell us more about the people behind the company?

Veriam was founded by Martijn Kaag, Raymond Roelands, and myself. We were motivated by the need for accurate, reliable metrics necessary to build a sustainable society. We founded a company with this purpose, Metrics Matter, but we quickly identified a critical gap—infrastructure for exchanging ESG data securely, and at scale within supply chains. Specifically, we found that fragmented authentication, authorisation, and subscription management systems were standing in the way of effective ESG data sharing. This was how Veriam came to be.

With our combined experience in the industry, we were confident that we could create a better solution. Since starting Veriam in January of this year, we’ve been focused on developing a platform that integrates authentication and authorization with subscription, invoicing, payments, and licensing.

It’s important to note that our platform’s value goes beyond ESG, bringing significant value to all SaaS providers looking to manage access and subscriptions for any type of cloud-hosted data or digital product.

What vision does Veriam have for the future of secure identity and access management, and what steps are being taken to achieve this vision?

Veriam envisions a future where our access and subscription management platform facilitates the secure, easy exchange of data, helping businesses grow while giving users a single login for all products, subscriptions, and data across any organization using Veriam.

As a Veriam user, managing your access and billing in one place with a single login speeds up onboarding, saves time, and reduces costs. This integrated approach can lead to significant savings across supply chains, with billions of euros in potential savings for service providers and their customers or partners.

The benefit of Veriam’s reusable login is driven by widespread use. This is why we’re adopting a growth model similar to platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, offering our access management feature for free to SaaS startups. Users can easily invite their customers or partners to join. As our platform expands, we will introduce premium services, generating revenue while remaining committed to our social mission.

How does Veriam identify the needs of its primary audience, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and tailor its offerings to meet those needs?

At Veriam, we focus on understanding the unique challenges that small and medium-sized SaaS providers face, especially when it comes to managing access and subscriptions with limited resources. We know that many traditional solutions can be costly and complex, so we’ve designed Veriam to be affordable, easy to use, and quick to set up. By offering a free access management feature, we’re enabling startups to securely manage user accounts without the high costs or complexity. We want to give smaller businesses the tools they need to succeed, no matter their size.

SaaS startups face extensive challenges in access management, particularly when integrating complex systems that often require significant custom code and time-consuming maintenance. Veriam addresses these challenges by offering a flexible, out-of-the-box SaaS solution that minimizes coding and setup effort, enabling easy integration with existing platforms. This reduces the workload on IT teams, accelerates deployment, and ensures robust, compliant access management without the usual integration hassles.

What differentiates Veriam’s platform from other identity and access management solutions on the market?

What sets Veriam apart from other identity and access management solutions is our unified approach that combines access and subscription management into a single platform. This design makes the user experience simple, allowing for quick setup and management. Users can log in once to access all their product subscriptions and data across any organization using Veriam, which enhances usability and integration.

We also help service providers by reducing integration code by 99%, making it much easier to implement our solution.

In what ways does Veriam’s solution specifically enable smaller organizations to manage security and access as efficiently as larger enterprises?

Our solution helps smaller organizations efficiently manage security and access by offering our access management feature for free. Unlike larger companies with the resources for complex systems, smaller businesses can leverage our platform without incurring high costs. Our platform is easy to use and quick to implement, making it an ideal solution for companies with limited resources.

We make the integration process simple, allowing users to set it up with fewer than 10 lines of code. This cuts the usual integration workload by 99%, enabling smaller organizations to adopt our solution quickly and focus on what they do best instead of dealing with complicated technical issues.

What are some of the biggest challenges the team has faced since launching, and how have these shaped Veriam’s approach or products?

One of the main challenges Veriam faces is creating a new market segment that doesn’t currently exist. We are competing against large, established organizations with significant user bases and valuations, which adds pressure to our efforts. Then, our approach involves targeting multiple verticals simultaneously, making our challenge more complex than if we were solely focused on identity and access management.

How does Veriam envision its growth in the next few years, and are there any new features or expansions currently in development?

Our primary focus is on releasing the first fully integrated solution that combines identity and access management with subscription management, invoicing, payments, and licensing. This unique approach makes integration easier for users, allowing them to tap into all of these features with less than 10 lines of code.

We’re also working on integrating more third-party identity providers and enhancing data validation capabilities. Ultimately, the plan is to build a marketplace that allows customers to purchase software directly through our platform. Our main objective, however, is to make it easier for users to integrate their existing identities while allowing third-party providers to connect easily with our solution.

Which trends in identity and subscription management do you see as most significant for Veriam’s future direction?

Identity and access management is set to expand as more services transition from on-premise to SaaS solutions, which will call for new methods to secure these environments. Similarly, subscription management is evolving, with traditional perpetual licenses giving way to on-demand solutions.

We also see account reusability becoming increasingly important. We’ve already seen this shift in other areas where users log in with Google or Microsoft, instead of creating new credentials. Then, in payments, users have one PayPal account rather than sharing card details with each service provider. Proprietary accounts are likely to fade away. With our solution that combines identity management, access control, and subscription management, Veriam is well-positioned to lead in this evolving landscape.

What role does customer feedback play in Veriam’s ongoing development, and how is it integrated into product improvements?

Customer feedback is central to Veriam’s ongoing development. We actively collect insights from clients to understand their evolving access and subscription management needs and pain points. This feedback is systematically analyzed and prioritized, allowing us to make targeted product enhancements that improve functionality, ease of use, and integration. By aligning our development closely with customer input, Veriam ensures that our solutions continuously adapt to and address real-world challenges.

What are three key pieces of advice you would offer other founders who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey?

Create a balanced team: Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths and skills to build a strong foundation, whether they’re co-founders, executive team members, or initial employees. Trust and a clear division of responsibilities can make decision-making and execution significantly easier and faster.

Stay close to your customers: Early customer feedback is invaluable. Use it to validate and refine your product, and keep an open feedback loop to ensure your solution evolves with real customer needs.

Focus on sustainable growth: It’s easy to chase quick wins, but it’s important to prioritize building a scalable, resilient business model. Stay agile, but set clear goals and metrics to ensure your growth is both strategic and manageable.

At Veriam, we focus on accessibility and sustainability as the backbone of our work. We want to make access and subscription management easy and affordable, especially for smaller organizations that often face resource limitations. This means developing tools that are straightforward to implement and use, so more businesses can handle security and data sharing without extensive setup.

Sustainability is central to our mission. A major driver of our solution is supporting global regulations on Scope 3 CO2 emissions, which require businesses to securely exchange CO2 data across their supply chains. Our platform is designed to provide a strong solution for this need.

Photographer Suzan Alberts

Thank you Jeroen de Bruijn for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

A 10-step guide to transform your ideas into stunning images

By

StartupValley

-

11/05/2024

0

How to write the perfect AI prompt

As text-to-image generative AI continues to gain momentum, the ability to craft effective prompts—concise, creative instructions for AI tools—is emerging as a key advantage for businesses looking to leverage AI for their visual content. While AI-generated images have opened new possibilities to create unique visuals, the difference between good and great often comes down to the tool but also – the prompt.

Prompts are at the core of AI-driven creativity. The right prompt with the right tool can turn a simple idea into a powerful visual that truly captures your creative vision. It’s not just about what you want to see; it’s about understanding how to communicate that vision to the AI tool in a way that yields the best results and ultimately create the right image for what you need.

For the right project, AI-generated content offers SMBs and SMEs a way to unlock creative potential, streamline marketing efforts, and create time efficiencies. To unlock these benefits, here’s a 10-step guide to help anyone build compelling prompts and get the most out of text-to-image generative AI tools.

Step 1: Protect Your Creativity

First things first. Ensure that the generative AI tool you’re using produces images you can use in your marketing and advertising materials. This means, choosing a tool that is commercially safe and provides legal protection for your outputs. This safeguards you from creating something that may include elements that are legally protected. AI tools should amplify your creativity, not expose you to risk.

Step 2: Start with a Clear Vision

Begin by visualizing the scene you want to create. Think of a basic noun, verb, and setting/location, and then build out your prompt with adjectives and descriptive phrases. The clearer your initial concept, the better the AI tool will translate it into a compelling image.

Step 3: Be Detailed and Specific

Don’t hesitate to create longer, more descriptive, and complex prompts, generative AI thrives on detail. Approach your prompts as if you’re telling a story, using comma-separated keywords to enhance your narrative. Also, tools like iStock’s AI Generator, with its recent model updates, allow you to be incredibly detailed and see how your desired features come to life thanks to advanced upscaling and increased 4K generation capabilities.

Step 4: Describe the Scene’s Environment

Mention the setting where the scene takes place. For example, if you want an outdoor scene, specify if it’s in a forest, on a beach, or in an urban environment. Also, consider where your vision is located; after all, a “forest” in Brazil is hardly the same as one in Washington state.

Step 5: Highlight Key Elements

Identify the main subjects or focal points of the image. If it’s a person, describe their appearance, clothing, and expression. For objects, focus on their size, shape, and placement. Experiment with language, even if you like the first image you generate. Try different words and phrases to see how they alter the outcome.

(Image credit: Created with Generative AI by iStock)

Step 6: Incorporate Emotions and Mood

Use aesthetic terms in your prompts to refine the overall look and feel of the image. Terms like “retro,” “sharpened,” or “monochrome” can guide the AI’s creative direction. Instructions like “vibrant colors,” “soft lighting,” or “moody atmosphere” can add a different style. If you’re not sure which keywords to use, reference this extensive list of artistic keywords for AI image prompts. Also, consider adjusting parameters like color and mood filters to generate images with specific tones and feelings to align it to your vision.

Step 7: Include Action or Dynamics

If the scene involves movement or interaction, describe what’s happening. This could be as simple as “a cat playing with a ball of yarn” or “a city bustling with people.” Descriptors like “future,” “vintage,” or “historical” can add layers of context to your output.

Step 8: Consider Perspective and Angle

Specify the viewpoint or angle from which the scene should be captured. This could be a bird’s-eye view, close-up, or wide shot, which influences the composition and framing. Refine your image by using camera controls, distinguishing lens type or depth of field, including wide angle, telephoto, shallow, or deep, to create the look of an image captured by a camera.

Step 9: Review, Refine and Iterate

Before finalizing your prompt, review it for any ambiguity or missing details. Use AI’s modification tools to tweak the visual further. You can add, replace, or remove elements from an image or expand or reduce the image ratio to fit the format you need. Even, when you are fully satisfied with an image, explore variations of that image and keep the active prompt text handy for future reference. Keep experimenting and iterating with your favorite prompts and other elements to spark fresh, bold ideas.

Step 10: Prioritize Authenticity

While AI tools offer incredible creative possibilities, it’s important to be authentic to your audience. iStock’s VisualGPS report revealed that a striking 87% of Britons want to know if an image is AI-generated. Consider if you need to label AI-generated content — particularly when generating people or showing a real product — as consumers value transparency and appreciate knowing the origin of the images they interact with. This helps you build trust and credibility.

With this guide, SMBs, SMEs and AI enthusiasts are now equipped to prompt more effectively, harnessing the power of generative AI tools to produce high-quality, impactful marketing visuals.

Mainpicture: Credit_istock-Vizerskaya

Pictures: istock pictures

By Bill Bon, Senior Director of Creative Operations at iStock

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Reimagining a Classic: The Ongoing Evolution of 2048

By

StartupValley

-

10/24/2024

0

2048, a developer of addictive puzzle games, is capturing the attention of casual and hardcore gamers alike with its latest release.

How did the idea for 2048 first come about, and what inspired you to create it as a weekend project?

I built 2048 in a weekend, just for fun. At the time, I was obsessed with two similar games, 1024! and 2048 by Saming. While both games shared similarities with my version of 2048, I wanted to put my own spin on it by creating a version with a different color scheme and better animations. To be honest, it was mainly meant as a test of my skills.

What is the vision for 2048 as you celebrate this decade milestone, and how do you plan to achieve it in the coming years?

I want to keep 2048 true to its core while modernizing it to stay engaging for both new and longtime players, young and old. The first step in this process was introducing power-ups, which allow players to develop new strategies and provide a boost when facing the game’s challenges. For example, one of the power-ups is the highly requested ‘Undo’ feature, which lets players correct mistakes and refine their strategy. Moving forward, I aim to keep adding features that make the game as fun and dynamic as possible. Some ideas I’m exploring include leaderboards, multiplayer modes, and even more types of power-ups

With 2048 being such a widely recognized game, who would you say is your core audience, and how do you ensure that the new version continues to meet their needs?

2048 is enjoyed by a diverse range of players, both young and old. Interestingly, younger individuals who weren’t around when the game first launched are now discovering it. My version of 2048 aims to target casual players while also providing opportunities for more hardcore gamers. The goal is to create a fun and effortless experience that allows people to enjoy themselves and take a break from their daily routines.

What were some of the main challenges you faced when initially launching 2048, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge with the initial launch of 2048 was its sudden popularity, which took me completely off guard. The hardest part was managing my emotions and stress related to the unexpected success and figuring out how to stay on top of it all. I believe I navigated the situation reasonably well, although there are a few things I would approach differently in hindsight. However, I have no regrets about the experience.

In what ways does the new 2048 edition stand out from the original game, and what are some of the unique features that players can look forward to?

My goal was to honor the original game by preserving its essence in this new version. I felt the original was beginning to show its age, and I wanted to create a more timeless experience for players. This involved refreshing its look and feel by improving the animations and design. Eventually, the idea to add power-ups came about, becoming an integral part of the game. These power-ups allow players to do much more and tackle challenges that were previously difficult to overcome. However, for those who prefer a more challenging experience, a ‘Classic’ mode without power-ups is still available

How did you approach the decision to release a special version of 2048 for Amazon Prime members, and what benefits does it offer to players?

2048 Plus for Amazon Prime members is a special version of the game that includes three additional power-ups beyond those offered in the standard version. When the opportunity came about to provide this exclusive experience for Prime members, similar to what other games in this space do, I thought it would be great to infuse it with elements of exclusivity, such as a distinct dark board design and unique power-ups. The idea behind this version is to give players more enjoyable tools to work with, lifting some of the game’s constraints and allowing for greater creativity in gameplay.

Considering the evolving mobile gaming landscape, what do you see as the biggest challenge for 2048 moving forward, and how do you plan to address it?

I consider my version of 2048 primarily a web game rather than a mobile game, even though there are standalone mobile apps published by my partner, Solebon. While I am not deeply immersed in the mobile gaming landscape, my goal was to ensure that this version of 2048 works well on mobile devices for users who want to play on the go. One trend I’ve noticed in mobile gaming is how cheap and ad-ridden some experiences feel. Many mobile games are heavily advertised online, yet the ads often misrepresent the actual game, requiring players to watch numerous ads and make in-app purchases to enjoy the game. My version of 2048 is ad-supported as well, but I want to move toward a fairer model where ads support the site without obstructing gameplay, and any future paid offerings I create provide genuine value for money rather than gatekeeping core game features.

What do you think sets 2048 apart from other puzzle games, and how has it maintained its appeal over the years?

I’ve never fully understood the formula behind 2048’s popularity, but I believe it lies in its accessibility—players can simply browse a website to start playing—and its addictive nature once they understand how to play. The game doesn’t allow for easy wins, which encourages many players to keep coming back for more.

Are there any specific future developments or new gameplay elements that you’re particularly excited about introducing to 2048 fans?

In the upcoming period, I’ll be focusing on improving the quality of the version I’ve just released, addressing bug fixes and implementing minor enhancements like dark mode and different animation options for those who prefer less motion. As for the long term, I’ve been considering features such as leaderboards and multiplayer options. However, there’s no telling when I’ll be able to develop these, as I’m a one-person team, and such features can take a lot of time to implement. But those are the ideas I’ve been contemplating!

For those interested in launching their own game or startup, what are three key pieces of advice you would offer based on your experience with 2048?

I’m not an expert in these areas, so I’ll share the things I’m working on improving myself

Engage with people or allow them to use your product as early as possible before spending months building something that might not work.
Remember that done is better than perfect. Don’t waste time polishing something if you’re unsure it will be effective (as mentioned in point 1).
When people give you negative feedback, especially if it’s emotionally charged, try to look beyond the emotional language and understand what they’re trying to convey. Don’t take it personally. Often, if someone expresses strong negativity about something you’ve done, it’s because they genuinely care—either about you or about what you’ve built. Acknowledge their concerns, but try not to let their words affect you emotionally

How has your perspective on 2048 changed since its inception, and what personal goals do you have for the game and its community moving forward?

Early in 2048’s life, I distanced myself from it due to the stress it caused me, which I had not fully processed. Over the past few years, I’ve been able to reconnect with it and eventually quit my job to work on it full-time. I want 2048 to remain an engaging game by adding new features while preserving its core mechanics. At the same time, I aim to make it sustainable for myself to continue working on the game full-time, but I refuse to do so by introducing cheap purchases or increasing the number of ads. If I decide to add paid features in the future, I will ensure that they are implemented thoughtfully and do not hinder those who wish to enjoy the game for free from having a complete experience.

Picture @private

Thank you Gabriele Cirulli for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Lara, thank you for joining us today. Could you please introduce ClimateChoice and the role your company plays in the global fight against climate change?

ClimateChoice focuses on supply chain decarbonization. Can you explain why this area is so crucial for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint?

Your company utilizes AI to enhance sustainability practices. Could you describe how this technology contributes to the decarbonization process?

What are some of the key challenges that companies face when trying to track and reduce emissions in their supply chains? How does ClimateChoice help overcome these obstacles?

Could you share a success story of how a company has successfully reduced its carbon emissions with the help of ClimateChoice?

ClimateChoice offers a scoring methodology to assess supplier performance in sustainability. How does this scoring system work, and how does it help businesses make better decisions?

The process of decarbonizing an entire supply chain can be complex. What are some first steps companies should take when starting this journey?

Many businesses are grappling with new regulations around sustainability. How do you see these changes affecting companies in the near future, and how can ClimateChoice support them?

ClimateChoice has built partnerships with organizations like T-Systems, Lenovo, and o2 Telefónica. How do these collaborations help scale your impact, and what role do partnerships play in achieving your mission?

What do you see as the most important trends in the next 5 to 10 years for businesses in sustainability?

What role do you believe transparency plays in achieving climate goals, and how does ClimateChoice promote this within the supply chain?

ClimateChoice raised $2 million to expand its platform. How does this investment help accelerate your mission, and what are your next big goals?

As a founder, how do you balance the pressures of scaling a business with the urgency of addressing climate change?

Finally, what message would you like to share with other entrepreneurs who are working on innovative solutions to combat climate change?

Can you walk us through the journey of Ascend Elements from its inception to where it stands today?

Ascend Elements’ Hydro-to-Cathode® technology is a major innovation in battery recycling. Could you explain how it works and why it is a game-changer in producing EV battery materials?

Reducing carbon emissions in EV production is a crucial goal for the industry. Could you share how Ascend Elements’ processes help achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional methods?

You’ve set an ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2030. What are the main steps and technological improvements that will help you reach this target?

Sourcing enough lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap must be essential to your operations. What are the main challenges in this sourcing process, and how does Ascend Elements manage them?

Many consumers still hold misconceptions about the environmental impact of EVs. How do you address these misconceptions, and what role does Ascend Elements play in making EVs more sustainable and truly “green”?

The EV industry is booming, but it’s also very competitive and fast-changing. How does Ascend Elements stay at the forefront of innovation, and what trends are you seeing that will shape the future of battery recycling?

What role does renewable energy play in Ascend Elements’ operations, and how are you working to increase its use within your production processes?

As you expand, what regions and markets are you focusing on?

Funding and partnerships are critical in scaling up an operation like yours. How has Ascend Elements secured its position financially, and what role do collaborations play in your growth strategy?

What regulatory or policy challenges do you face in scaling your operations globally, and how do you navigate these hurdles?

Looking forward, what are Ascend Elements’ most exciting milestones or projects in the pipeline that you believe will significantly impact the EV and battery recycling industries?

Finally, for aspiring entrepreneurs in the clean tech space, what advice would you offer, especially around innovation, perseverance, and environmental responsibility?

Prism is revolutionizing the recycling industry by transforming end-of-life tires and plastics into sustainable, high-performance materials that reduce carbon footprints and support a circular economy

Could you give us an overview of Prism Worldwide and introduce the founding team behind the company?

What inspired the creation of Prism Worldwide, and how did the idea for sustainable tire and plastic recycling first come about?

Prism Worldwide aims to reduce the carbon footprint from end-of-life tires and recycled plastics. How does the company plan to achieve this vision on a global scale?

Who is the primary audience for Prism Worldwide’s technology, and what unique needs do they have that you aim to address?

What are some of the biggest challenges Prism Worldwide faces in terms of scaling its technology, and how are you addressing these obstacles?

In what ways does Prism Worldwide differentiate itself from other companies in the recycling and sustainability sector?

Can you share a bit about the upcoming fundraising round? How will these new resources support your goals?

What are some of the key developments or innovations that Prism Worldwide plans to introduce in the next five years?

What drives you personally to pursue this mission in sustainable recycling, and what do you find most rewarding about this journey?

How does Prism Worldwide ensure that its approach is both environmentally responsible and economically viable?

What are three essential pieces of advice you would offer to new founders aiming to build a sustainable business?

Looking forward, what do you envision as the biggest opportunities for growth and innovation in the recycling and sustainability industry?

éclat is redefining wellness with innovative, all-in-one solutions that blend beauty, health, and simplicity into your daily routine

Could you introduce éclat and share the story of how you and your team came together to build it?

What inspired the vision behind éclat, and how do you plan to bring this vision to life?

Who is the primary target audience for éclat, and what unique needs or desires are you aiming to fulfill with your products?

What distinguishes éclat from other brands in the beauty industry, and what would you say is éclat’s strongest unique selling point?

Could you share some of the most significant challenges éclat has faced so far and how you’ve approached overcoming them?

How do you stay in touch with customer needs and preferences, and what role do customer insights play in your product development?

What are the current trends in the beauty industry, and how does éclat intend to lead or adapt to them?

As éclat grows, what are some of the next big milestones you’re hoping to achieve?

What three pieces of advice would you offer to aspiring founders looking to launch their own startup, especially in a competitive field like beauty?

How does éclat incorporate sustainability into its business practices, and why is this an important value for the brand?

What standards and processes do you have in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of éclat’s product line?

Where do you see éclat in five years, and what steps are you taking today to achieve these long-term goals?

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Twelve has won the GREEN AWARDS Los Angeles in the Start-up category on November 14, recognized for its innovative contributions to sustainable technology

What inspired the founding of Twelve, and what challenges in the aviation and energy sectors did you hope to address with E-Jet®?

Could you explain the process of carbon transformation and how E-Jet® SAF is produced from CO₂, water, and renewable energy?

E-Jet® SAF has up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions than conventional jet fuel. What does this mean for the aviation industry’s carbon footprint?

Your fuel has been certified by the U.S. Air Force. How did this validation impact Twelve’s credibility within the sustainable fuel sector?

In your view, why is Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuel like E-Jet® more sustainable than biofuels?

What are the key challenges in scaling up production to meet SAF demand?

Can you share insights on Twelve’s partnership with IAG and its impact on scaling SAF globally?

With growing interest in SAF, how does Twelve differentiate itself from other companies in the SAF market?

What’s your vision for SAF’s role in reducing aviation’s climate impact over the next decade?

As Twelve expands, what core values or philosophies guide your company culture?

Looking back, what were some pivotal moments that shaped Twelve’s journey?

What advice would you offer entrepreneurs working in sustainability and clean technology?

Finally, how can individuals and organizations support Twelve’s mission or contribute to the sustainable aviation transition?

Kanafrik has been nominated for the Green Start-up Slam (Start-up Pitches on Stage) during the GTF CONNECT LOS ANGELES CONFERENCE on November 15

Mariama, Kanafrik is a pioneering initiative in the sustainable and zero-waste space. What inspired you to start Kanafrik, and how did your journey lead to this point?

I wanted to preserve traditional methods of making raw ingredients that were at risk of disappearing.

The beauty products you offer are handmade and clean. How do you maintain a balance between craftsmanship, innovation, and environmental impact when developing new products?

You have been recognized globally for your work empowering women and girls, including by the UN. How does your mission to support women and girls intersect with Kanafrik’s business goals?

Can you share more about Kanafrik’s partnerships with local producers and artisans in Africa? How do these collaborations support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) you are passionate about?

You’ve been involved in projects like Designs 4 Unity and your Peace Collection for the UN. How do these global initiatives influence your work with Kanafrik?

As a founder, you wear many hats. What has been the most rewarding part of building Kanafrik so far, and what do you hope to achieve in the next five years?

How do you see the future of the sustainable beauty and wellness industry evolving, especially in terms of the integration of African heritage and modern sustainability practices?

Your store is Africa’s first sustainable zero-waste store. Can you walk us through what a typical shopping experience is like for someone visiting Kanafrik?

Kanafrik’s products draw inspiration from African botanical treasures and beauty rituals. How do you ensure the authenticity and sustainability of the ingredients you source from across the continent?