SustaiNails and more biopolymers

Hi there, we, Patric and Vera, have the vision to do a start-up where we create short- to medium-lived products made out of 100% biodegradable material. Our first idea which we deem a feasible product are our biodegradable SustaiNails - which are press-on nails.

Now, we are looking for our third team member who happens to be a chemist, ideally with experience in synthesizing biopolymers and a motivation to found. In short, you will be the one developing the material in the lab. Prototypes are available - e.g. a pectin-lignocellulose film dunked into CaCl2.

As a team of three we are going to apply for the EXIST-Gründungstipendium. It is a German stipendiate for founders with an innovative idea. The great thing about the stipendiate is that within the first 12 months you get a monthly salary 2000-3000€, depending on your degree. Also, money is provided for research and other necessities for founding. The infrastructure of the university RPTU, i.e. lab and office rooms, can be used for free.

In order to apply for the stipendiate, we need to be three people. There are some challenges to overcome as the business idea is heavily scrutinized by the jury - which is understandable as a lot of money will be given to the founders. For more details, please read the part challenges!

If what is written here resonates with you then please become our third team-member! On a personal level we offer an open-minded, responsible conduct and a familiar work-atmosphere.

The first challenge is to apply successfully for the stipendiate. There are several requirements for getting accepted. For one, there have to be three team members, of which one mandatorily has to have at least a bachelors' degree in business administration. This is achieved.

Also, there has to be some experimental foundation for the product that is the center of the business. I, Vera, already did some experimenting. Yet, since I've only done the experiments within the scope of another stipendiate, the chances for acceptance are higher, if we have someone in the team who has done academic research in biopolymers or ar least is a graduate in chemistry.

The good news is that the topic of making bioplastics has a high likelihood of getting past the jurors since it is part of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. This is in a broader scope related to the funding of the stipendiate. Therefore, if we can convince them that our bioplastic is promising, there a good chances of getting the stipendiate.