Vicious circle

The struggles paid off in July last year, when the start-up won a €420,000 REACT-EU grant to further develop the FRED system. In November 2021, a second grant (the MIT R&D Grant) of €200,000 followed, which enabled the company to work on the development of the RED system as well. The RED and FRED projects are carried out in collaboration with the engineering companies Van Beek and TBRM ES, which also received part of the funding. “The external recognition we received with these fundings was very important to overcome any doubts we had about Zahvy. We could show everyone that what we are trying to achieve is important.

It has also helped Zavhy forge new collaborations with companies trying to solve similar problems for 3DCP technology. Zeeshan: “We have come full circle now that we have sold the first prototype of the FRED system to TU/e, so that they can carry out further research.”

Moreover, the funding helped break the vicious circle in which Zavhy found himself. “Without money, we cannot hire employees or build a factory where we can demonstrate our technology. Then you won’t go anywhere. Thanks to this grant, we were able to achieve important milestones. For example, an R&D hardware engineer, Taco van Meeteren, was recently added to the team, which, in addition to Zeeshan, includes CFO Wendy Volkers and CTO Frits Rooyackers.

Three business models

The young company consists of three branches. It develops and values ​​new 3D printing hardware and software technologies, contributes to construction projects and is in the process of setting up a 3DCP facility in Eindhoven, where structures and designs can be printed. Ultimately, Zeeshan wants to franchise his business, to support the Dutch government’s goals of building one million homes by 2030. By 2025, at least ten other 3DCP franchises are expected to work with Zahvy’s system.

Because 3DCP technology is still so new, Zeeshan and his company have deliberately chosen to cover all aspects of the technology in order to best support the growth of the 3DCP market. He wants to create a consortium of companies and connect the value chain around concrete 3D printing so that problems can be tackled collectively. “Thus, everyone involved in the construction industry could benefit and inspire others to change their minds about 3DCP.” This is the whole process. We need to value technology and continue to do research, but also work on hardware and software. And then apply what we do in the projects. We develop the material, develop the system that allows that material to be printed, and help with the design and construction.

Startups involved in 3D printing in construction are springing up like mushrooms, but for Zeeshan, that’s a good thing. “It’s none of my business. I want to support others and make construction more sustainable together. My main competitors are not start-ups, but traditional construction companies. I need to show them the benefits of adopting 3DCP technology and get them on my side of the table.

The First episode DENS characteristics. This technology company manufactures generators powered by formic acid.

The second episode focuses on Simbeyond, which develops simulation software.

The third episode is about Aristotle, which combines physical and cognitive training software with PSV

In the fourth episodeGOAL 3 talks about the steps needed in the fight against unnecessary mortality in Africa