Meet KOMP-ACT co-founder Salvatore De Benedictis—a Venture Leader Deeptech who electrifies the world

09.11.2021 07:15, Isabelle Mitchell

KOMP-ACT provides machine builders and manufacturers with electric motion automation: The Lausanne-based company manufactures the industry’s most compact, lightweight, and cost-efficient electric actuators, grippers, and accessories. KOMP-ACT’s technology can be integrated into new machinery or retrofitted onto virtually any existing machinery where traditional pneumatic actuators are used. Get to know KOMP-ACT co-founder Salvatore, learn more about his expectations for the Venture Leaders Deeptech experience, and explore the book, movie, and life advice that shape his entrepreneurial path.

The Swiss National Startup Team has 10 new deeptech members: An expert jury has chosen 10 companies whose innovative potential transforms engineering, robotics, supply chains, logistics, and sustainability. Before the startups embark on their investor roadshow to Munich and London later this month, we will introduce you to the Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021. We asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose at least six questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life.

Name: Salvatore De Benedictis
Location: Renens
Nationality: Italian
Graduated from: University of Naples, Federico 2nd
Job title: CEO and co-founder of KOMP-ACT
Number of employees: 9
Money raised: CHF 2.9 million
First touchpoint with Venturelab: Venture Kick in 2017

“KOMP-ACT develops high-quality linear actuators for industrial automation allowing a two-to-three-times increase in speed and output while lowering energy consumption by 90%.”

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
During my experience as an aeronautical engineer, I noticed how difficult it was to develop and manage actuators using fluid technology and how wasteful they were in terms of aircraft fuel consumption. However, while we started developing an electromechanical actuator for more electric aircraft, we were challenged by a Swiss manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods. We were asked to find a more sustainable solution to replace current pneumatic devices on their packaging machines for energy saving, maintenance, and machine downtime reduction. So we pivoted and founded KOMP-ACT to address the machiners market.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
We expect, first of all, to raise awareness about the industrial problem of compressed air, energy waste, and value lost for machine suppliers and end-users. Furthermore, we would like to meet potential investors interested in backing KOMP-ACT and potential partners to evaluate our entry into the Asian market.

What would be the title of your biography?
No problem, only solution. I am unstoppable when it comes to problems we get in the course of our venture.

What is the one talent you wish you had?
All the talents that I don’t have.

What is your favorite movie?
A Knight’s Tale by Brian Helgelande. The protagonist believes that his skills, efforts, and ability can change his destiny and the destiny of those around him.

What is your favorite book?
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz. The book makes me feel that I am not alone when I have a hard time and that there is always a move I can make.

What is always in your fridge?
I don’t know; I should ask my wife

What are you most proud of?
Of my family, all the sacrifices they are making to support me.

What advice would you give your teenage self?
Launch your startup earlier on, fail fast, and reiterate until you make your vision happen.

How did you come up with the name of your startup?
The idea was to build actuators using composite actuators to impact the planet, so we combined KOMP (from composite) and ACT from actuators and act now, as we want machine manufacturers and end builders to act fast to replace pneumatics. Eventually, we chose the letter K instead of C to make our name more German, more reliable.

Where and when are you most productive? 
Early in the morning, at my place before leaving for the office.

What are your favorite apps?
Linkedin Sales Navigator: It allows you to get a lot of marketing information and reach your prospects fast.

What do you do when you are creatively stuck?
It depends; I might call others to join me for a meeting, or I call advisors. Or I just take a break, and the solution will come the next day.

How and where do you clear your mind?
By taking a shower or by going for a run.

Which startup do you wish you had founded?
Tesla, for the great impact on the environment the company is eventually going to have.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a founder?
Always knowing in which direction to move forward.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder?
Seeing your vision come true one step at a time and your customers loving your product.

What is something you wish you had known about being a founder?
Nothing specifically, but I wish I had more knowledge about the market, technology, etc. Instead, I build this every day, again and again.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
The team and the community around your startup are what are going to help you to succeed.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Benedict Stalder from EPFL Innovation Park once told me: “Growth linearly first, one customer at the time; build something for a few, then scale it for many.” 
 
 
For more information and updates on KOMP-ACT and the Venture Leaders Deeptech, follow the Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021 team with #VLeadersDeeptech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021 program is organized by Venturelab and supported by swissnex, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Helbling Group, Walder Wyss, the Canton of Vaud, and the Canton of Zurich.