Startup Spotlight: Sustainable startup plans in 3D

RAVI Toor, a student at the University of Leeds, founded Filamentive in August 2015. The startup uses recycled plastics to produce the filament and other consumables needed for 3D printers.

Last year he won the LiveWIRE Smarter Future award which aims to support start-ups that provide solutions to the UK’s sustainability challenges, and he also won the Sir Peter Thompson Enterprise Award.

From a standing start and midway through his degree, he has got his first customer, as well as


What’s your idea?

I’ve always sold online and started selling 3D printers online a couple of years ago. From that I realised customers needed filament, the ink basically, and were getting it from China. I am completing a degree in environment and business, so had that ethical mindset when I set out with Filamentive.

I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel but our products are more sustainable and ethical with a bigger emphasis on quality than you can get from imports.

A lot of companies sell filament, but they stack it high and sell it cheap from China. It’s all about being ethical and from a European base. Some customers will look at price, but those with a CSR agenda will want to look at ethical options.

How easy is it to get funding as a startup?

It’s not been easy, I was aware of startup loans from The Prince’s Trust but there is also a great enterprise culture at Leeds. There are so many competitions and funding opportunities, I have won well over five figures in grants from the university.

The university has helped, but it doesn’t hand it out for free. It involves pitching business plans and interviews. The opportunities are there but when I reflect on it, a lot of hard work has gone into it.

What has been your biggest success so far?

Gaining our first client. It wasn’t financially the biggest success but it confirms we’re going in the right direction. In terms of funding, it was the Sir Peter Thompson Enterprise award – I was up against 40 student businesses. They pick 6 to pitch, and we pitched to Sir Peter,

He has been CEO of major companies and to be recognised by someone of his calibre was a massive honour.

What do you wish you had known when you started?

Probably to be more patient, being able to be quite resilient, work ethic, which develops over time but you do realise that nothing comes to you and any advice i tell people, no one is going to come to youi and hand to it.

You have to push everyone until you get a no or yes, find funding opportunities, meet the council business or university services, just go for them. Keep pushing them until you get an answer. No regrets

What are your plans for the future?

The plan now is to use what I’ve learnt this year as a blueprint to grow, we have credibility going forward and I start my final year in September. Luckily in these first few months, everything like branding, website and marketing is prepared, it’s about pushing it now.

I’ll be looking at international expansion as 3D printing is prevalent in Europe and the US, so we will aim to have a reseller overseas. I also look to supply more stock and work on new materials for the filament.

 

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