Welcome to our X-Europe startup interview series. We have virtually sat down with a number of our founders from past cohorts to hear all about their solutions, vision for the future, and what made them tick during our X Europe programme. So whether you are a deep tech founder looking for startup support, an eagle-eyed investor, or simply interested in the possibilities that technology can bring to society, then we welcome you to take a read. Please meet Volta Plant, a startup that provides alternative and green electrical energy by means of PMFCs.
Can you briefly explain what your solution is all about? What’s unique about it?
Our solution is to provide alternative and green electrical energy by means of PMFCs. It is unique because it is 100% green and almost 100% recyclable (with very low residual waste). The system can produce energy on site without requiring powerline connections or bulky solar cells.
What led you to start or join your company? What is the key motivation and mission behind the startup?
The main motivation is to become a top player in the ecological transition economy within the European green deal as an entrepreneur. The key motivation and mission behind the startup are to research, design, and sell biofuel cells able to produce energy in a full and independently sustainable way (according to the circular economy) and become a B-Corp.
Who are the key target audiences? How does the technology make a positive impact?
In the first phase the audience is new “consumers” and other entrepreneurs taking care of our Planet health. Our technology, based on biofuel cells, is independent of power line grids and traditional batteries, and thus it is 100% clean, not “just” green!
What’s the biggest milestone your startup has achieved so far, and what has surprised you most on this journey?
The biggest milestone is having deposited a patent of our technology regarding a biofuel cell that works thanks to plant bacteria. The positive return and the discovery of new horizons especially due to the interdisciplinarity of the company partners has been an astonishing surprise.
How has X-Europe helped you during the past few months?
X-Europe helped us launching our company in a European context with the ambition to go worldwide. Seminars are well organized, but the added value is the face-to-face training, about which, we had just a taste by now.
What are your goals over the next 3, 6, and 12 months?
Goal in 3 months: to implement our technology to obtain the best electrical performance and yield. Goal in 6 months: to implement a prototype (led/sensor or other low power device) powered by our technology and IoT context study. Goal in 12 months: to go to market with a mature product tailored starting from the prototype.
What advice would you give to an entrepreneur trying to pave his/her way in the Smart Cities & Sustainability landscape? To think, design, and act green (with very low, possibly null environmental impact) as a starting point. This key thought is required because a new product or technology without this quality is not expected to be well accepted by present and future markets What’s unique about the X-Europe programme? The opportunity to take part in a European Corporate and Startup ecosystem and to enjoy the European networking with other companies and realities at different levels: technical, financial, investing, communication, training.
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