REMA: The Venture Leader Cleantech scaling affordable green hydrogen

15.09.2025 09:00, Rita Longobardi

Meet Steven Schenk, CEO of REMA. With highly modular and scalable design, the Cleantech startup addresses key industrial and off-grid hydrogen markets underserved by current technologies. In November, Steven and the other nine Swiss National Cleantech Team members will travel to Munich on a business development and investor roadshow.

Name: Steven Schenk
Location: Lausanne
Nationality: Swiss
Graduated from: EPFL
Job title: CEO
Number of employees: 6
Money raised: > CHF 2M

 

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Can you tell us who your product or solution helps, and how?
We help companies that already use hydrogen and want to reduce costs and decarbonize their supply chain. Our systems enable them to produce affordable green hydrogen directly on-site.

What market are you addressing and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
The hydrogen market is vast, serving a wide range of industries. We initially focus on the metal processing sector for medium-scale companies, a market estimated at around EUR3 billion. As most competitors overlook this segment, we can capture a significant share.
We are also investigating hydrogen supply decarbonization in other industries such as fertilizer, chemical processing, synthetic gems or research.

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
Our story began in a laboratory, where the founding team bonded over a shared passion for science and engineering. Living and working close to the mountains, we directly saw and felt the effect of shortsighted human actions every day. REMA was born from the collective desire to contribute to a sustainable society.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how do you think it will help you achieve your vision?
We aim to build a strong network of potential customers and partners while reinforcing our international positioning. By gaining traction with early adopters, we will strengthen the credibility of our solutions and accelerate broader customer adoption. 

What are your team’s key achievements to date?
Our greatest achievement has been building a strong and committed team — the foundation of any successful startup. Together, we have been able to grow the company and built our first demonstrator 

Is there a key principle or value that guides you as you build your company?
Honesty. We are committed to developing real solutions that solve real problems — without sugarcoating.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
For one yes you are going to face a thousand no. Be patient, it will come. 

What is your favorite productivity hack or tool and why?
Taking breaks. It may sound counterintuitive, but stepping back to gain perspective helps avoid wasting time on the wrong paths and leads to clearer, more effective decisions.

What was your dream job when you were a child?
Good question, I should say firefighter or astronaut. But for as long as I can remember, what I really wanted was to design and build things — I wanted to become an engineer.