1) What is exactly that you do, and what is your start-up about?
CORKBRICK EUROPE, LDA. is a Portuguese company revolutionising living and workspaces with our patented CORKBRICK system. Inspired by Lego, our sustainable modular solution allows anyone to effortlessly build functional structures and furniture indoors or outdoors. With just 7 pieces, no tools, screws, or glue required, CORKBRICK empowers creative minds to become their own space architects.
Our intuitive, practical, and collaborative approach stimulates creativity, making DIY furniture and structures simpler than ever. With a massive EU market worth over €49 billion, CORKBRICK leverages natural resources to provide a superior, sustainable solution for a better living and working environment.
2) What is the problem that your start-up is trying to resolve?
Our start-up, CORKBRICK EUROPE, aims to address several key problems in the market. Firstly, there is a lack of sustainable and eco-friendly solutions that can effectively adapt home or office spaces to suit changing needs. Many individuals and businesses face the challenges of outsourcing, high costs, and difficulties associated with organizing, renovating, or designing spaces in a sustainable manner.
Additionally, the process of obtaining permits to renovate or repurpose listed buildings can be complex and time-consuming. We understand the need for a simple, DIY solution that is accessible to everyone. That’s why CORKBRICK provides an innovative system that requires no tools, manuals, glue, or screws. By offering a user-friendly, versatile solution, we empower individuals to effortlessly transform their spaces, promoting sustainability, and fostering a collaborative approach to design and functionality. https://corkbrick.com/pages/faq
3) What inspired you to start this particular business?
CORKBRICK story started spontaneously in April 2012 at a Lisbon’s airport coffee shop, on a trip to Casablanca… A conversation between father (serial entrepreneur) and daughter (future architect) about flexibility in home spaces. It was just an ideation and mentoring conversation. There was no intention to invent a product or create a company. (watch this video: )
“We were discussing solutions for open spaces, specifically searching for ideas to create a dynamic guest room in our attic. We needed something simple, scalable, easy to mount and dismount – and most importantly, without the use of tools, glues, or screws!”
4) When was your start- up founded? What stage is your startup currently at?
CORKBRICK EUROPE was founded in November 2014. We are currently on our fifth capital raise, raising 5M€ at a 20M€ valuation to support the growth of the company, through a dedicated study and implementation of a marketing and sales funnel but also to build the first fully automated manufacturing line, the P2, that will be able to respond to the identified market needs – something that our current P1 prototype manufacturing line can’t do.
5) Are you the sole founder? If not, how did your team meet? Who does what on your team?
No, CORKBRICK EUROPE doesn’t have a sole founder. Our company was founded by a dynamic father and daughter duo. Miguel Reynolds serves as the CEO, bringing his expertise and leadership to the company. On the other hand, Catarina Reynolds is the creative force behind the CORKBRICK system and holds the position of CMO (Chief Marketing Officer). Together, they form a complementary team, combining Miguel’s business acumen with Catarina’s innovative vision, to drive the success and growth of CORKBRICK EUROPE. Then we have enlisted a remarkable group of “Creative Dolphins’ ‘ to help us bring our vision to life. Among us, Architects, Engineers, Designers, all creative minds, former or current executives from organisations like Google, Lego, Cisco, Nike, University of London, Axelcapital, Miragon Investments, Maitland family office, Fladgate Partnership, HARV 81 to name a few.
These talented individuals share our vision to create sustainable, dynamic structures and furniture. They are committed to our mission to build a transparent and sustainable organisation that is driven by collaboration. Their engagement empowers our capabilities, opens new markets and makes our “Fan Owned Company model” Fun !
6) What is your start-up business model, and how does it work?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we have developed a flexible and scalable business model that gives us a competitive edge. Our direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales approach is at the core of our strategy. Through our web platform, we engage with residential, commercial, and public entities directly, eliminating intermediaries and establishing a cost-effective and efficient channel. This enables us to build strong, interactive relationships with our customers, fostering deep partnerships.
To empower our customers and encourage their creativity, we embrace gamification techniques. We aim to create a vibrant community of co-creators who can explore the limitless possibilities and design potential of CORKBRICK. Through our unique designer-client concept, end users play a crucial role in validating and innovating our product. They even have the opportunity to earn from their innovative design solutions. This approach not only generates organic marketing through enthusiasm but also creates a solid barrier to potential competitors, ensuring our market position remains strong.
5) What exactly differentiates you from your competitor in the marketplace? Can you name a few?
What sets us apart from our competitors in the marketplace is our ability to address the “7 pains” of the conventional approach to furniture and structures. Unlike existing solutions that offer limited functionality, rely on outsourcing or DIY skills, have slow installation processes, lack flexibility, sustainability features, recyclability options, and generate waste, CORKBRICK stands out as a pioneer in sustainable self-construction.
We have revolutionised the market by offering a comprehensive solution that combines sustainability, flexibility, simplicity, enjoyment, quick implementation, reusability, recyclability, and the integration of the digital world with the physical environment. By seamlessly merging the boundless possibilities of the digital world with the comfort and joy of the real world, we foster engagement and collaboration among individuals. This unique approach sets CORKBRICK apart from its competitors and positions us as leaders in the industry.
6) At what stage is your start-up currently at? (Early-stage, Growth stage, Established)
We are currently in the Growth stage. Automating our production to reach market demand.
7) Can you discuss any significant milestones that your start-up has achieved so far?
CORKBRICK EUROPE has achieved significant milestones, securing substantial funding rounds from diverse global investors. Strong partnerships have been formed with leading producers, and prestigious clients such as the World of Wine Museum, Sines Port, Zurich sustainability centre, and Cascais City Council have experienced the transformative power of our solution. Collaborations with institutions like London Design & Engineering University Technical College validate our value. We have been granted a European patent for our CORKBRICK SYSTEM, and successful installation of the P1 prototype production line showcases our operational capabilities. Though P1 is limited, it serves as a crucial step towards refining our manufacturing process for commercial-scale implementation.
8) Can you provide some information about your target market and its size?
CORKBRICK EUROPE’s target market encompasses residential, commercial, and public spaces, divided into 16 segments. We appeal to eco-aware, innovative millennials in the residential market, including flex homes, home-working setups, Airbnb rentals, eco-homes, and listed historic buildings. In the commercial sector, our focus is on innovative companies in urban offices, coworking spaces, flexible offices, art galleries, exhibitions, event organisers, and hotels. Public spaces such as schools, universities, airports, museums, sport centres, theatres, movie studios, and markets also form part of our target market. https://corkbrick.com/pages/corkbrick-solutions-by-market
With the European furniture market valued at €150 billion and the Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) furniture market valued at over €15 billion, CORKBRICK has a significant market opportunity. The sustainable furniture market is also experiencing remarkable growth. Millennials, who represent 150 million individuals across Europe, are driving the rapid growth of the furniture e-commerce sector, which is expected to reach €83.48 billion by 2027. CORKBRICK is well-positioned to capitalise on these market trends and deliver its unique value proposition to a wide audience.
9) How do you acquire customers or users, and what is your customer acquisition strategy?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, our customer acquisition strategy revolves around a strong PULL strategy to generate curiosity and capture the attention of prospective customers, users, and endorsers. We understand the importance of visibility and leverage the advantage of our innovative concept being newsworthy and intriguing. Despite operating without a marketing budget, we have successfully promoted our initiatives over the past two years, sparking curiosity and interest.
With the installation and operation of the P2, our customer acquisition efforts will be further supported. We will utilise various tools and channels, including CORKBRICK PLAY, our social networks, direct digital marketing, and promotional campaigns. Local activation events will also play a crucial role in engaging with our target market segments. By following our structured plan, which includes targeting flagship customers, promoting our concept, exploring social networks, and increasing visibility through institutional marketing campaigns, we aim to effectively acquire and engage our desired customer base.
10) What are your main revenue streams?
Our main revenue streams at CORKBRICK EUROPE include direct sales of CORKBRICKs through our website, where customers can purchase our innovative modular system. We also generate revenue through our custom-designed CORKBRICK solutions services, catering to clients who require tailored and personalised solutions for their spaces. Additionally, we earn commissions from sponsors of CORKBRICK PLAY, our digital game platform that engages users and promotes creativity within the CORKBRICK community.
These diversified revenue streams allow us to capture value from various aspects of our business, from product sales to customised services and digital partnerships. By offering a range of revenue-generating opportunities, we ensure a sustainable and profitable business model while providing unique and creative solutions to our customers. https://corkbrick.com/collections/frontpage
11) Have you received any funding or investment for your start-up? If yes, can you share the details?
Yes, we have received significant funding and investment for our start-up. To date, we have successfully raised over 590 thousand euros from a carefully selected group of 264 investors and fans. Our investor base comprises a diverse range of individuals, including architects, engineers, designers, and creative minds, many of whom have held executive positions in renowned organisations such as Google, Lego, Cisco, Nike, University of London, Vodafone, AxelCapital, Miragon Investments, The Fladgate Partnership, Harv81 Europe, Maitland family office, and The City of Lisbon, among others. This strong investor support highlights the widespread belief and confidence in our innovative vision and the potential of CORKBRICK EUROPE.
12) How do you plan to scale your business in the future?
CORKBRICK EUROPE is well-prepared to scale its business in the future. We will implement an automated and scalable manufacturing process to enhance our production capabilities. Our reliable supply chain and sourcing strategy will ensure the availability of the necessary resources. As the market demand for sustainable, dynamic furniture and structures continues to increase, we are poised to meet the growing needs.
To optimise our human resources, we will leverage digital tools and remote working methods. This approach will enable us to effectively scale up our production, research and development, logistics, funding, and marketing efforts. Our flexible and variable cost structure, combined with the benefits of teleworking and local sourcing, makes scalability and profitability growth easily achievable. With these strategies in place, we are confident in our ability to expand and meet the demands of a rapidly growing market.
13) What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far, and how did you overcome them?
One of our major challenges has been the initial resistance from customers who are accustomed to existing solutions. To address this, we have taken a unique approach by prioritising consumer experiences with CORKBRICK. Instead of relying heavily on traditional marketing efforts, we focus on enabling direct interactions with our product.
Through interactive workshops, pop-up installations, and collaborative events, we provide potential customers with hands-on experiences of CORKBRICK’s benefits. This approach allows individuals to explore the versatility and creative possibilities firsthand, fostering understanding and overcoming resistance. By emphasising direct engagement, we distinguish ourselves from conventional competitors like IKEA. We firmly believe that enabling these consumer experiences will naturally drive adoption and market acceptance for CORKBRICK, helping us overcome the challenge of customer resistance.
14) How will you measure success for your start-up or the achievements that your startup has reached?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we measure success not only through funding achievements but also by the impact we have on the world and the environment. Our ultimate goal is to replace non-sustainable alternatives and leave behind a better world. We take pride in the fact that CORKBRICK captures more CO2 in its life-cycle than what is produced during manufacturing. Therefore, the number of CORKBRICKs sold becomes a significant key performance indicator (KPI) for us, representing the extent to which we are making a positive impact on the environment.
We have developed an impact calculator with 9 KPI’s, where anyone can learn how CORKBRICK impacts the world positively. This calculator is accessible to anyone by following the link http://impact.corkbrick.com/
By tracking the sales of CORKBRICKs, we can gauge the level of our impact on the world and the surrounding environment. The greater the number of CORKBRICKs sold, the more CO2 we capture, especially if we can invest in and fund cork oak forests. This holistic approach to measuring success aligns with our mission of sustainability and demonstrates our commitment to leaving a positive and lasting legacy for future generations.
15) How do you prioritise and manage your resources, such as time and budget?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we employ a strategic approach to prioritise and manage our resources effectively. With the understanding that time is a valuable asset, we prioritise tasks based on their criticality and potential impact, utilising project management techniques and tools like Trello to streamline our workflow. By carefully allocating time, we maximise productivity and ensure that important tasks are given the attention they deserve.
In terms of budget management, we engage in thorough financial planning and forecasting to allocate resources efficiently. We closely monitor expenditures and actively seek cost-saving opportunities to optimise our budget utilisation. Transparency and accountability are key principles in our organisation, fostering collaborative decision-making and ensuring that resources are utilised in the most effective way. Regular evaluations allow us to continuously improve our resource management practices, driving productivity, innovation, and stakeholder satisfaction while staying within budget and time constraints.
16) What is your marketing and branding strategy?
Our marketing and branding strategy at CORKBRICK EUROPE revolves around offering comprehensive solutions that cater to the sustainability, flexibility, and creativity needs of our target markets: residential, commercial, and public spaces. To effectively reach our audience, we have segmented our markets into 16 specific segments, targeting millennials, A/B class individuals, eco-aware consumers, and innovative companies in urban offices.
We prioritise Northern Europe, including Scandinavia, Holland, and Germany, and gradually expand to the rest of Europe. Our unique value proposition lies in providing solutions rather than individual products. With a single set of corkbrick pieces, called “brocks,” customers can create multiple solutions, promoting creativity and versatility. We propose three alternative solutions using the same set of brocks, inspiring customers and encouraging further exploration. Additionally, customers have the option to customise their orders or request tailored solutions, providing a personalised experience. Our early market traction is evidenced by sales to flagship customers across residential, commercial, and public spaces in nine countries, including Portugal, Switzerland, the USA, Israel, Spain, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands, and Estonia.
17) How did customers/users find out about you?
Our customers and users have primarily discovered CORKBRICK through organic means and word-of-mouth. The power of our innovative product and the enthusiasm of our passionate supporters have been key drivers. Through social media and positive customer experiences, our fans have become advocates, sharing their excitement and love for CORKBRICK with others. This organic reach has significantly raised awareness and attracted interest from potential buyers and investors.
In addition to organic growth, we actively engage with our community, fostering a strong relationship and encouraging user-generated content. Our online store features CORKBRICK SOLUTIONS created by anyone, with the opportunity to earn royalties for each sale. This approach further strengthens our connection with customers and leverages their creativity and involvement in the CORKBRICK ecosystem. While we have minimal investment in traditional marketing channels, our customers find us through the genuine passion and dedication demonstrated by our existing user base. This organic growth exemplifies the authentic relationship we have built with our customers and the trust they place in our brand. https://corkbrick.com/
18) What is your target audience?
CORKBRICK’s target audience comprises individuals who value sustainability, flexibility, and creativity in their living and working spaces. Specifically, we focus on capturing the attention of millennials, A/B class consumers, and those who are eco-aware and innovative. In the residential market, our target segments include flex homes, home-working setups, Airbnb and short-term rentals, eco-homes, and listed historic buildings.
For the commercial market, our audience consists of innovative companies in urban offices, including coworking spaces, flexible offices, art galleries, exhibitions, event organisers, and hotels. In the public spaces sector, we target schools, universities, airports, museums, sport centres, theatres, movie studios, and markets and trade fairs. By dividing our target market into these 16 segments, we can tailor our messaging and solutions to meet the specific needs and preferences of each segment, ensuring that CORKBRICK resonates with our desired audience. Vide https://corkbrick.com/collections
19) Regarding your marketing strategy, do you use social media, and if so, is it in-house or outsourced?
We do use social media, but it’s purely in-house.
20) Have you faced any regulatory challenges?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we are proactive in addressing regulatory challenges to ensure compliance and obtain necessary approvals. Our strategy begins with conducting thorough regulatory research to understand the building materials, construction, and furniture regulations in our target markets. We stay updated on any changes or updates to the regulations, enabling us to adapt our processes accordingly.
We recognize the importance of obtaining relevant certifications and approvals. This includes certifications for sustainability, safety, fire resistance, and environmental impact. By actively pursuing these certifications, we demonstrate our commitment to meeting regulatory standards and building trust with our customers. Additionally, we stay vigilant in monitoring regulatory developments, industry trends, and changes in standards. This allows us to adapt our processes, materials, and operations to comply with evolving regulations. We establish internal compliance measures, including regular audits, employee training programs, and ongoing monitoring, to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements. By implementing these strategies, we navigate regulatory challenges effectively and maintain a strong commitment to regulatory compliance.
21) Can you discuss any partnerships or collaborations you have established?
CORKBRICK EUROPE has fostered significant partnerships and collaborations to enhance our product offerings and extend our market presence. We have formed key partnerships with companies such as Cork Supply for research and development as well as Ranecork Corchos for the supply of raw cork and manufacturing capabilities.
Our impactful collaborations showcase the versatility and sustainability of CORKBRICK solutions. Noteworthy partnerships include The Fladgate Group for museum displays and outdoor events at the World of Wine Museum in Porto, as well as the Zurich Knowledge Center for office partitions and lounges. We have also partnered with Câmara Municipal de Cascais and ÉoqueÉ for pop-up stores and store displays, exemplifying our tailored solutions that blend functionality, sustainability, and visual appeal. Through these strategic collaborations, CORKBRICK EUROPE continues to demonstrate diverse applications and deliver innovative, eco-friendly solutions to our customers.
22) What are the key things about your industry that outsiders don’t understand or misperceive?
Outsiders often underestimate the transformative potential of the sustainable, dynamic structures and furniture industries. It is commonly misunderstood as merely focusing on aesthetics and eco-friendliness, while in reality, it offers much more. This industry is about creating adaptable and versatile structures that have the power to revolutionise spaces, going beyond surface-level appearances.
Another misconception is that sustainability compromises functionality, whereas it actually enhances it. By prioritising resource efficiency and innovative design, sustainable solutions not only contribute to a healthier environment but also deliver practical and functional spaces. Furthermore, the industry has the capability to cater to diverse needs and industries, spanning from residential to commercial and public spaces. The commitment to sustainable materials and practices within the industry often goes unnoticed, leading to a lack of awareness about the positive environmental impact these solutions can have. In summary, the industry’s potential for innovation, functionality, and sustainability is frequently underestimated or misinterpreted by outsiders.
23) How do you handle feedback and incorporate it into your product or service development?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we value feedback from our customers and users as a vital resource for continuous improvement and innovation. We have implemented two innovative initiatives, the CORKBRICK CHALLENGE and CORKBRICK PLAY, to actively engage our community and incorporate their ideas into our product and service development.
Through the CORKBRICK CHALLENGE, we empower individuals to create their own CORKBRICK solutions. If these solutions meet the eligibility criteria, they have the opportunity to be featured in our CORKBRICK STORE, earning the creators a royalty for each sale. This not only encourages creativity but also provides valuable feedback and real-world testing of diverse CORKBRICK applications.
Additionally, CORKBRICK PLAY, our digital survival game, enables players to utilize CORKBRICK to construct sustainable islands. The solutions created within the game can be uploaded directly to the CORKBRICK STORE (after verification), further harnessing the previously untapped potential of our community’s creativity.
By leveraging these initiatives, we gain valuable insights from our customers and users, enabling us to enhance our product offerings, address any potential issues, and ensure consumer safety and satisfaction. We believe that by actively involving our community in the development process, we can create solutions that truly meet their needs while fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration.
24) What is the biggest missing feature, meaning the one thing that customers/users keep asking for?
The biggest missing feature that customers and users often request is the ability to paint the material or have it available in different colours. Currently, we offer natural cork to prioritise the recyclability of our product. However, we understand the desire for customization and personalization in design. To address this, we encourage customers to explore alternative options, such as using wallpaper or noble materials like silk. These materials can be incorporated alongside our natural cork, allowing individuals to transform their spaces using a combination of natural, sustainable, and dynamic materials that also offer excellent thermal and sound insulation properties.
By offering this flexibility, customers can unleash their creativity and achieve a truly personalised and unique aesthetic while still benefiting from the functionality and sustainability of our CORKBRICK solutions. We value customer feedback and continuously strive to meet their evolving needs and preferences, ensuring that our products provide the best possible user experience.
25) Are you going to internationalise? If so, how are you planning to expand internationally?
Yes. We already ship worldwide and have investors in over 30 countries. The scope of CORKBRICK EUROPE is EU + UK
26) Can you share any testimonials or success stories from your customers or users?
| Client: Novacortiça Location: Algarve, Portugal Year: 2018 Proposal: Store Display Description: Creating different display configurations for a pop-up store. |
| Client: (Private Household) Location: Cascais, Portugal Year: 2019 Proposal: Lounge areas and Partition Description: Creating space partitions, sofa bases and lounges with corkbricks. |
| Client: The Fladgate Group Location: WOW, Porto, Portugal Year: 2020 Proposal: Museum Partitions, benches and displays Description: Creating different information stands, partitions, benches and displays at several museums from the complex World Of Wine. Using the same blocks to create events in the outdoor areas when needed. |
| Client: ÉoqueÉ Location: Cascais, Portugal Year: 2020 Proposal: Store Displays Description: Creating various store displays for a takeaway home-cooked meal store. |
| Client: Câmara Municipal de Cascais Location: Casa do Artista, Carcavelos,Portugal Year: 2023 Proposal: Co-work/ Pop-Up Store Description: Creating space partitions, display for a pop-up store and desk bases with corkbricks. |
| Client: Zurich Knowledge Center for Sustainable Development // ZKSD Location: Munique, Switzerland Proposal: Office partition and seating lounges Description: Creating space partitions, sofa bases and lounges with corkbricks. |
From: CORKBRICK Testimonials
27) How do you ensure the security and privacy of users’ data?
We don’t store any data from our users, so this is not an issue for us.
28) How do you stay updated on industry trends and adapt your strategies?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we prioritise staying updated on industry trends and continuously adapting our strategies to meet evolving market demands. We achieve this by actively engaging in publications, research reports, and networking events to gain insights into the latest developments. Additionally, we collaborate with research institutions and industry leaders, enabling us to access cutting-edge knowledge and innovative practices.
We value customer feedback and incorporate it into our product and service development processes. By listening to our customers, we can better understand their needs and preferences, ensuring that our offerings align with their expectations. Regular market research allows us to identify emerging trends and consumer behaviours, empowering us to make informed decisions. Lastly, we foster a flexible and agile approach, enabling us to quickly adapt our strategies to changing industry dynamics and seize new opportunities. By embracing these practices, we ensure that we remain at the forefront of industry trends and continue to provide innovative and relevant solutions to our customers.
29) Are there any patents or trademarks associated with your start-ups?
CORKBRICK is a disruptive patented solution that allows anyone to be the architect of their own space, saving time and resources. We invented the concept of Sustainable Dynamic Structures and furniture. The company’s portfolio of intellectual property, including the CORKBRICK INTERLOCKING SYSTEM patent, which was granted on March 25, 2020, trademark, and copyrights, represents a valuable asset.
30) Can you discuss your pricing strategy and how you determine your product’s value?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, our pricing strategy is founded on fairness and a comprehensive analysis of various factors that contribute to the value of our products. We conduct a thorough evaluation of costs, including raw materials, manufacturing, labour, research and development, and overhead expenses. This analysis allows us to establish the baseline cost of our products, enabling us to determine a pricing structure that aligns with their value.
In addition, our direct-to-consumer (D2C) approach plays a significant role in our pricing strategy. By selling directly to consumers through our online platform, we eliminate the need for intermediaries, which allows us to bypass the associated costs and markups. This enables us to offer our products at a lower price point, providing more accessible and affordable options to our customers. While we strive to achieve financial viability and cover costs, we also prioritise the long-term sustainability of our business and remain committed to maintaining a fair pricing strategy that reflects the value our products deliver.
31) How do you plan to build and maintain customer loyalty?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we place great emphasis on building and maintaining customer loyalty through a multifaceted approach. We understand that exceptional customer service and prompt support are vital in nurturing strong relationships. Our dedicated team ensures personalised communication and targeted marketing efforts that cater to individual customer needs and preferences. Additionally, we have implemented a loyalty program that rewards customers for their repeat purchases and referrals, encouraging continued engagement with our brand.
An integral part of our customer loyalty strategy is our innovative platform called CORKBRICK PLAY. This digital game enables users to unleash their creativity and design unique CORKBRICK solutions. By actively engaging with our customers through CORKBRICK PLAY, we foster a sense of collaboration, excitement, and ownership. Their participation and contributions play a significant role in shaping our product offerings. We are committed to continuous product innovation driven by customer feedback, ensuring that our solutions not only meet but exceed their expectations. Through our customer-centric approach, we aim to cultivate long-term loyalty, trust, and satisfaction within our customer base.
32) What are your plans for expanding your team in the future?
As we plan for the future, our goal is to expand our team by adding 10 new members who will play crucial roles in various aspects of our operations. We will seek individuals with expertise in production R&D, logistics, funding and financing, as well as marketing and direct sales development. Our selection criteria prioritise problem solvers who are curious, trustworthy, and adaptable. To source diverse talent, we will utilise efficient digital tools like LinkedIn.
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we embrace teleworking and remote working to maximise efficiency, efficacy, flexibility, and empowerment within our organisation. As part of our “Fan Owned Company model,” all current team members are shareholders, and we plan to extend this opportunity to new team members once they align fully with our vision and mission. Our executive team currently consists of 10 individuals with varying levels of commitment, and we are excited to welcome new members who will contribute to our continued growth and success.
33) Can you provide examples of any social or environmental initiatives your startup is involved in?
CORKBRICK EUROPE actively supports sustainability through diverse initiatives. As proud sponsors of Greenfest Carcavelos 2022, a sustainable festival in Portugal, we provided eco-friendly materials for the event’s structures. Similarly, our involvement in the World of Wine Easter Festival 2023 in Porto allowed us to showcase our sustainable materials in constructing the festival’s structures. Additionally, participating in Dutch Design Week 2022 enabled us to promote sustainability and display our innovative materials. Furthermore, our sponsorship of the Corkbrick Marathon 2021 in Vila Nova de Gaia facilitated engagement with architects and designers, fostering awareness of our sustainable dynamic structures. These initiatives exemplify our commitment to social and environmental responsibility, which extends to our internal operations through the use of recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing methods.
34) How Do you approach customer support and handle any issues or complaints?
At CORKBRICK EUROPE, we place a strong emphasis on customer support, utilising feedback to enhance our processes. We value customer feedback and use it to continuously improve our operations, including the development of a comprehensive FAQ section to address common inquiries and streamline our responses. By learning from customer feedback, we aim to enhance our efficiency and ensure swift resolutions to issues or complaints.
When customers reach out to us, our dedicated team responds promptly and attentively. We practise active listening, demonstrating empathy and understanding to fully grasp the customer’s concerns. Throughout the support process, we maintain transparent and timely communication, keeping customers informed about the progress of their issues or complaints. By integrating customer feedback into our continuous improvement efforts, we strive to provide efficient and satisfactory resolutions, fostering a positive and seamless experience for all customers.
35) What have you learned so far from launching your start-up, and what pointers would you give a person reading this blog who is interested in having a start-up of his own?
Vision, openness, curiosity, persistence, faith and transparency. These are some of the characteristics to endeavour and turn dreams into reality.
36) Six months from now, what will be the biggest problem?
Flagship customers and scaling up
37) Are you looking to hire new employees for your team? If so, what job openings do you currently have?
We’re looking for people who share our vision and want to help us spread the word about our products in Europe.
STRATEGIC MARKET DEVELOPERS: We are selecting “creative Dolphins” to join our team and help promote CORKBRICK in Europe. People that share our vision (https://corkbrick.com/pages/invest-in-corkbrick) and have the will, the talent and the network to help turn our dream into reality.
Investor Manager: Select, engage and nurture our community of investors, fans. We have already involved 260 investors, fans, spread through 30 countries. Among us, Architects, Engineers, Designers, all creative minds, former and current executives from organisations like Google, Lego, Cisco, University of London, Axel Capital, Miragon Investments, Maitland family office, Fladgate Partnership to name a few.
38) Are you looking for start-seed investment or VC funding? If you are looking for funding, where can potential investors contact you?
We are selecting mostly private investors, corporate investors (from our value chain), family offices, and eventually private equity companies that align with our vision and mission, following and developing our fan owned company model.
We are currently on our 5th raise. The objective is to raise up to 5 million to fund the scaleup of the production, R&D and marketing. We were recently invited to participate in international matchmaking events like ChangeNow and Vivatech, both in Paris and we are actively prospecting potential investors.
39 ) How did Covid affect your start-up?
As a start-up, CORKBRICK EUROPE was well-prepared for the impact of COVID-19. Our work-from-home policies were already in place prior to the pandemic, aligning with our CEO’s long-standing advocacy for remote working since the mid-90s. This proactive approach allowed us to navigate the challenges brought by the pandemic with minimal disruption. Even our factory deals were structured to account for zero-cost downtime during non-manufacturing periods, further mitigating the impact of COVID-19. While we did experience some minor inconveniences, overall, our operations remained resilient and adaptable during this time.
Our ability to continue remote work and maintain business continuity was a testament to our forward-thinking approach and flexibility. We remained focused on our mission and worked diligently to ensure minimal disruptions for our team and customers, allowing us to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic with relative ease.
40) How is Artificial Intelligence (AI)) affecting your industry and your company?
Turning our processes more efficient. Saving time on tasks from operation, to R&D. We believe its impact on our activity will be higher from the marketing to the production cycles. And we are very optimistic about it. We always like to look at the bright side of all innovations and leverage as much as we can from it.
41 ) Why should we feature you on our blog?
Because CORKBRICK is an example of how to LEVERAGE natural resources to create a SIMPLE, PRACTICAL, BETTER solution that STIMULATE CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION among people, in family and work environments.
Besides, it’s an inspiring example of how we can transform an informal family conversation into a global business that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Last but not the least, each CORKBRICK “brock” we sell will generate, at least, 20€ SDG impact. In 10 years it will generate a total impact on 5 European Union Green Deal goals and 6 SDG in excess of €2 billion and €4 billion respectively..
42) How did you hear about our blog?
Vivatech Paris 2023
Miguel Reynolds Brandão
CEO
CORKBRICK EUROPE | SUSTAINABLE DYNAMIC STRUCTURES AND FURNITURE
Be the Architect of your own space — Realise your Imagination!
DNA CASCAIS. Rua Cruz da Popa,
2645-449 Alcabideche, Portugal
