Biosimo: The Venture Leader Cleantech aiming to develop and operate processes to produce bio-based platform chemicals

25.09.2023 08:55, Rita Longobardi

Meet Sotiria Mostrou, CEO of Biosimo. By targeting the primary chemical market, the Cleantech startup aims to meet the growing demand for greener everyday products and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Name: Sotiria Mostrou
Location: Zurich
Nationality: Greece
Graduated from: ETH (DSc)
Job title: CEO & Co-founder
Number of employees: 8
Money raised: CHF 2.6
First touchpoint with Venturelab: 2021 (Venture Kick)



Can you tell us who your product or solution helps and how?
Biosimo's environmentally friendly chemicals benefit a wide range of industries. Companies that produce everyday items like clothes, plastic products, and beauty essentials rely on chemicals, which often harm our planet by releasing a lot of carbon. Our solutions provide these industries with an alternative way to get the same chemicals but produced in a manner that's much cleaner, reducing environmental harm by 90%. By choosing our chemicals, industries can continue making the products we use daily while significantly cutting down on their environmental impact. This helps us all move toward a more sustainable and greener future.

What market are you addressing, and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
Biosimo is targeting the expansive chemical manufacturing sector, particularly focusing on sustainable bulk chemicals such as acetic acid. This market, just to put things into perspective, is valued at a whopping $250 billion. These chemicals are not just integral to everyday items like makeup, clothes, plastics, and medicines, but they also play a foundational role in creating cleaner fuels that power our world. As the global momentum shifts towards environmentally friendly alternatives, the demand in this vast market is exponentially growing. With our eco-friendly innovations spanning from everyday materials to potential cleaner energy solutions. As we stand at the cusp of a green industrial revolution, our recent transition from laboratory confines to real-world applications with our mini-pilot signifies the tangible strides we are making towards realizing that immense growth potential.

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
I didn't set out with a preconceived idea for a startup. Instead, my journey began with identifying a pressing problem during my time as a researcher. I was captivated by a singular challenge: how can we support our carbon-reliant physical world without continuously drilling for oil? I saw immense potential in utilizing existing, non-fossil carbon sources. My focus shifted to leveraging the power of chemistry, particularly catalysis, aiming to replace traditional processes. Admittedly, I clung to the hope that a viable solution would emerge. After five relentless years of research, when the answer finally materialized, I felt a deep responsibility. I couldn't just stand by and wait for someone else to introduce this breakthrough to the world.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders Cleantech roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
I see the Venture Leaders Cleantech roadshow as a crucial gathering for industry disruptors. I expect it to be a platform where we can network with both established industry figures and fellow disruptors committed to changing the face of cleantech. The camaraderie formed with other members of our team and like-minded participants will be invaluable, offering mutual support, shared experiences, and collective problem-solving. Beyond deepening our connections in the sector, I anticipate the roadshow to provide an opportunity for brand amplification, invaluable feedback, and potential interactions with future customers and investors. Engaging in dialogues with other innovators and disruptors will not only enrich our perspective but will also drive us closer to realizing our vision.

What are your team’s key achievements to date?
Our team, driven by a shared passion and guided by diverse expertise, has made significant strides in a short span. Our key achievements to date include:

• Grant-driven Financial Foundation: Our strategic approach to funding is exemplified by our successful pursuits with recognized programs such as Celtic-Next and Eurogia2030. These grants, combined, have secured more than half of our required financial backing, ensuring our venture's robust and sustainable foundation.
• From Lab to Field: With the commissioning of our mini-pilot, we've marked our transition from laboratory confines to real-world applications. This step not only signals our readiness for scalable operations but also showcases our team's adaptability and technical prowess.
• Engaging the Market Early: Beyond partnerships, our proactive market engagement has yielded tangible results, with sales and orders for prototypes. Our early interactions with adopters and securing prototype orders underscore the practicality and market relevance of our solutions.

What is the most challenging and rewarding aspect of being a founder?
The most challenging aspect of being a founder, for me, has been navigating the leap from a scientist to an entrepreneur. This transition required not just an expansion of skills but also a shift in mindset. Particularly as a woman in the entrepreneurial landscape, I've encountered added layers of complexity. I vividly remember crucial meetings where my knowledge and ambition were repeatedly questioned, whereas my male peers were often taken at face value. These moments of being second-guessed have been recurring. However, they've also fueled my drive to prove naysayers wrong and underscore the importance of diverse perspectives in innovation. Facing unique societal and systemic barriers has only reinforced my commitment to breaking through and making meaningful changes in the industry. Yet, these very challenges amplify the rewards. Every hurdle I overcome and every milestone I achieve underscores my growth against the odds. The most rewarding part? Taking scientific concepts that I've deeply understood and worked on, and transforming them into tangible, impactful solutions that can benefit many. It's a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and creating, and the fulfilment derived from it is unparalleled.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
In my founder's journey, I've recognized the critical interplay between structure and adaptability. The structure is our bedrock. It's about setting clear goals, defining roles, and fostering a cohesive team environment. Like a building's framework, a well-defined structure provides stability and direction amidst the tumult of entrepreneurship. Adaptability, on the other hand, is our compass in an unpredictable business landscape. While our vision stays constant, our strategies and routes might need swift changes. Being adaptable ensures not just survival but spurs innovation and growth. The key lesson? To truly thrive, a startup must harmonize these elements. The solid structure acts as a launchpad for adaptability, ensuring our vision's realization even as the path changes.

What is your favourite productivity hack/tool and why?
My favourite productivity tool is, without a doubt, Outlook. It's far more than just an email manager for me; it's a life organizer. I lean heavily on its calendar feature, which allows me to structure my entire week with dedicated time blocks. By adhering to this carefully crafted schedule, I ensure that I address high-priority tasks and still carve out moments for relaxation and self-care. Beyond digital tools, my weekly scheduling ritual has transformed my productivity. Every week, I sit down and meticulously plan the days ahead. This isn't just about allocating time; it's about revisiting larger goals and prioritizing tasks, often with the assistance of the Eisenhower Matrix. Once tasks find their rightful place in my calendar, the subsequent days are about execution rather than contemplation. This method minimizes hiccups like double bookings and keeps me aligned with both immediate tasks and broader objectives.

What was your dream job when you were a child?
As a young child, my artistic inclinations were first channelled through the elegance of ballet. I dreamt of being a ballerina but soon realized that while I was enchanted by the end performances, the day-to-day journey wasn't for me. I needed an 'ikigai' — a profession where both the process and result resonated with me. This realization led me to explore other artistic avenues, with dreams of architecture and design taking the forefront. But how did an artistic soul find a calling in science? I believe it's the creativity and innovation in chemical engineering that appealed to me. Much like architecture shapes our physical world, science allows me to design and shape molecular landscapes. In essence, I transitioned from the art of spaces and aesthetics to the art of molecules and reactions.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Venture Leaders Cleantech 2023 were chosen from over 90 applications by an expert jury. The roadshow in Munich will accelerate their ventures’ growth and expand their international presence. Venture Leaders Cleantech is organized by Venturelab and supported by EPFL Lausanne, ETH Zurich, EY, Helbling Technik, Romande Energie, St.Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke (SAK), Swisscom Ventures, Vaud, and Vischer.