Impressora: the Desafía Program startup creating advanced materials for 3D printing

22.11.2024 17:11, Rita Longobardi

Meet Daniel Denes, CEO of Impressora. The startup leverages local natural resources to create high-performance sustainable mortars. In December, Daniel and the other eight Desafía Team members will participate in a two-week immersive business program across Zurich, Bern, St Gallen, and Lausanne to establish sustainable growth pathways in Switzerland's innovative ecosystem.

Name: Daniel Denes
Location: Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Nationality: Slovak
Graduated from: School for Fine Art and Design of Jozef Vydra, Bratislava, Slovakia (1989-1993), Universität für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna (1993-1994)
Job title: CEO
Number of employees: 6 employees
Money raised: EUR 1.6M


Daniel Denes is an artist and entrepreneur with a background in visual arts and construction. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, the Universität für Angewandte Kunst, and the School of Mosaics in Ravenna, Italy. His work has been featured internationally in exhibitions across Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the USA, Austria, and South Korea. Transitioning into land development, Denes consolidated smaller plots into larger residential and industrial projects. As executive director of Visionary Fields S.R.O., he managed the D4-R7 project in collaboration with Cintra Ferrovial. He also worked on urban-industrial and territorial development projects in Nitra, Slovakia, blending his artistic expertise with innovative development.

Can you tell us who your product or solution helps, and how?
Our project uses a 3D concrete printer to build affordable, fast homes, starting in areas affected by the 2021 La Palma volcano eruption. We use local materials, like volcanic ash and banana fibers, replacing imports. Our mortar has a high compressive strength of 62 MPa, reducing CO2 emissions and waste, benefiting both the Canary Islands and beyond.

What market are you addressing and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
The market we are addressing is both private and public. Private customers can choose one of our house prototypes or they can customize their own desired design, as our printers are wildly flexible. Publicly, we have already established contact with various local governments interested in implementing our solution and thus providing social housing to those less fortunate. 

What are your team’s key achievements to date?
We have managed to create a unique 3D printer prototype that is different from any other big scale printer in the world. Its competitive advantages are many, including the fact that it only weighs 400 kg, it can be transported in a normal van, it can be mounted in 2 hours and we can start printing right away, and that we have a 12m printing area thanks to its 6m-long arm. 
Our second-best achievement is the construction of a 7-meter tower using our printer. 

What do you expect from Desafìa, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
Desafía Switzerland offers IMPRESSORA access to Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem, enabling connections with industry leaders and potential R&D collaborations. The program provides strategic insights into expanding in European markets, including guidance on localization, sustainability standards, and potential funding opportunities. IMPRESSORA will also benefit from increased brand visibility, investor connections, and expert mentorship to refine its market approach, setting the stage for long-term growth and success in Europe.

Why Switzerland represents a great opportunity for you?
Switzerland is a nucleus of research and innovation. Its position in Central Europe offers a good spot to have connections with the rest of the continent. The research facilities that can be found there are found nowhere else in the world, and we believe we can establish good relationships with those that have similar vision to us.