Victor Nyland, Frederik Ankjær, Kübra Yilmaz and Alex Quach from Re-Claim
August 6, 2024
BY Nina Lyhne
Meet Victor, Frederik, Kübra and Alex:
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Co-founders of Re-Claim, where they are transforming wood and wood waste from sawmills into circular bark panels for the construction industry.
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An ambitious team consisting of Victor, who is the CEO, Kübra, who is Head of Science and studies Chemistry and Biotechnology Engineering at Aarhus University, and the two architects Frederik, who is Director of Ethics & Construction, and Alex, who is Director of Materials & Innovation.
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Founded Re-Claim in July 2023 and since then, they have received grants from several foundations and have been praised by the industry and the Architects’ Association, who see great potential in their material.
How did the idea of becoming an entrepreneur arise?
The idea for Re-Claim originated from our master projects at Aarhus School of Architecture, where we were faced with the environmental and aesthetic deficiencies of current building materials. We highlighted these three issues:
- Stricter environmental regulations challenge the use of traditional building materials like concrete, steel, and brick.
- Architects and builders struggle to find building materials that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly.
- The timber industry’s linear value chain leads to significant environmental impacts due to the underutilization of by-products like bark.
Recognizing that real change in the construction industry would require us to take the initiative, we founded Re-Claim. Our venture was driven by the need to respond proactively to evolving market demands.
Our philosophy is to mimic nature in the way we construct and build. We wish to constructively understand nature’s systems and contribute to the development of a circular, renewable building system using wood and wood waste from the sawmills starting with our circular bark panel.
How did you get started with your entrepreneurial journey?
We started out with a clear vision to tackle a shortage of sustainable and aesthetic building materials within the construction industry. With support from different incubator programs – among others from The Kitchen – we sharpened our business model and communication skills, which were crucial in securing the first funding and partnerships for our startup.
What has been the biggest challenge in the process?
One of the biggest challenges has been to switch from our specialist language to the more direct and action-oriented business language within the startup community. The Kitchen has played a key role in helping us navigate this transition.
What does a typical workweek look like for you in relation to combining your startup with your studies?
Our workweeks are dynamic and have undergone significant changes throughout the spring. We’ve primarily spent our afternoons in the excellent workspace provided by The Kitchen, drafting various applications for soft funding. We have now secured enough funds to kickstart our product development, meaning our autumn will look drastically different compared to spring. Our activities will encompass everything from product development and lab tests to strategy meetings and writing additional grant applications. Meanwhile, we continue to juggle various part-time jobs and other commitments from our student days, focusing on effective time management. We aim to secure the Innofounder grant by the new year, which will allow us to dedicate ourselves full-time to the project.
How do you use your academic skills as an entrepreneur?
Our background from Aarhus University and Aarhus School of Architecture is essential. We use our technical knowledge and design skills to develop innovative solutions, and we still benefit from sparring and networking with our former teachers and fellow students.
Where is your startup today, and what are your dreams for the future?
Today, Re-Claim is in an exciting place. Collaboration is the keyword for us. We have several projects in the pipeline. One of them is as a board member of FUTURE Materials, which is a cohort committed to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. Where we want to drive positive changes and set new standards for the construction industry. Today we are 12 companies yet still expanding – spread the word!
Next, as the very first startup, we have become part of the new startuplab BYG at INCUBA. This has opened a lot of new doors for us.
As a member of the energy cluster CLEAN, we are excited to say that we will be exhibiting at the annual TechBBQ in Copenhagen this September with a stand at ‘Lokomotivværkstedet’.
We have worked hard all summer and are proud to announce that we have received significant support from several foundations, which means that we are able to work even harder to bring our first products to market by the end of 2025. Our ambition is to see our circular bark panels become a central part of construction projects across the country and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Your best advice for other students who are considering becoming entrepreneurs?
Believe in yourself and your idea, because no one else will do it for you.
Working towards a green transition within the construction industry is both urgent and vital. If you have an idea that can make a difference, go for it. The world needs innovative solutions now more than ever.
And remember, entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. Be prepared to constantly learn and adapt during the process.