C:aire - Build

C:aire

We are C:aire. An international and diverse university spin-off combining knowledge in the fields of biology, architecture, and design as well as business development and innovation. Our story begins in Barcelona where extreme heat and dust from the streets in combination with the indoor air-conditioning dominate urban living. Here we met during the BUILD program for urban intelligent living design solutions funded by the EU to keep our development sustainable. Not only are we extremely caring about our planet’s future, but we are also eager to change it to the better. That is why we came to the path of fighting indoor air pollution and related consequences on health and well-being with our natured-based air filtration to improve the life of all those who would like to breathe freely inside their four walls. On our way towards air purification we won several prizes in the Entrepreneurship Avenue 2020 and the StartupLive competition and we are looking forward to continuing on our mission of ca(i)re.

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Final pitch presentation

“It was a great experience working with such a diverse team regarding personal as well as professional backgrounds. Regardless of not knowing each other beforehand we grew quickly as a team and were able to perform high even when working remotely. Passion and great mutual learnings enabled this fruitful start-up environment. Working in a start-up can be stressful due to high level of self-responsibility but also fullfilling when achieving milestones creating success stories”.
C:aire team

Meet the team!*

Sophia Keyner (WU)

Sophia Keyner (WU)

Sophia has a strategy and Innovation background with several years of experience in Data Science and Software Development. She did her Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics and Social Sciences and worked for more than three year as data scientist and software developer. She is currently based in Vienna where she is doing her Master’s degree in Strategy, Innovation, and Management Control (SIMC) at Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Jasmo Nickol (WU)

Jasmo Nickol (WU)

Jasmo has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with specialisation in Sustainable Leadership and he combines substantial practical experience in FMCG and sustainability consulting. These result from three years experience in working for NIVEA at Beiersdorf AG headquarters in Hamburg and its subsidiary in Buenos Aires during his dual studies. He also did a half year internship at sustainable AG in Munich working in the field of impact and climate management. Currently he is based in Vienna studying Management at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Ninon Dell’Acqua (UL)

Ninon Dell’Acqua (UL)

Ninon is an engineer specialized in ecology, soil science and plant diseases and obtained her diploma from ENSAIA (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie et des Industries Alimentaires). She worked on plant biology research in Germany, Spain as well as New Zealand and has been a member of a research program on vine physiology at INRAE (Institut national de la recherche agronomique et environnementale) as well as on RNA and DNA extraction and analysis of results for virus detection and resistance gene expression for VITEC in Spain. Furthermore, her experiences in research and biology from multiple internships include studies in the fields of microorganisms, plants and pathogenic germs.

Mélanie Bascon (UL)

Mélanie Bascon (UL)

Mélanie combines both a degree in business administration from the IAE (Institut Supérieur d’Administration et de Management) as well as in environmental and life sciences from ENSAIA in Nancy, France. Thereby she perfectly bridges the gap between biology and business and is able to market our product both towards customers as well as experts in the fields of health and biofiltration. Furthermore, she previously worked in a consultancy firm in France on sustainability topics, as well as on several “ecological” product launches in the food and gastronomy sector in Spain.

Xhilda Kulla (IAAC)

Xhilda Kulla (IAAC)

Xhilda is an architect who obtained her master’s in architecture at the IAAC (Institute for Advanced Architecture) in Barcelona, which is known for experimental and innovative designs and structures. She worked for three years in a construction company and accompanied their projects conceptually and strategically. Additionally, she participated in several interior projects as a freelancing designer. Her practical experience in combination with 3D modelling and the ability to think conceptually to develop our innovative filter are suited perfectly to both experiment with the biofilter and integrate into an interior object.

Mario Sequeira Valadez (IAAC)

Mario Sequeira Valadez (IAAC)

Mario is an architect with skills in parametric design, 3D modelling, drawing and architectural design. He is able to create lively visualization of the product and engages in visionary design and architecture. He obtained his master’s degree in architecture at IAAC as well and profits from practical experiences from several projects as a project manager for firms in Nicaragua. His wide range of computing skills in CAD and 3D modelling combined with classical drafting techniques enable us to advance quickly throughout the ideation phase.

* Disclaimer: Please note that this start-up could be advancing its business idea after the closure of the One-Year Programme, and some of their team-members composition might have changed. Please check their website and social media accounts for updated details.