Why does the mushroom always get invited to parties?
Because they are such a fungi!
BTW - today, we have a new, shorter episode format for you. If you like it, please let us know in the comments below! 👇🏽
Okay, let’s do this… 🚀
🌎 Welcome back to CleanTechies, Founder edition.
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Today, we are talking to Ilya Gindin from COMU Labs.
Mycelium is an emerging decarbonized building material due to its sustainability, biodegradability, and strength. It is cultivated by growing fungal networks, also known as mushrooms. Mycelium-based products can be used for insulation, bricks, and packaging.
Today, we have a ClimateTech Entrepreneur making waves with Mycelium. Ilya is CEO & Co-Founder of COMU Labs, bridging the gap between sustainability and affordability in furniture materials. They utilize fungi to transform agricultural waste into robust, machinable and fire-retardant material that looks and behaves like plywood.
Some of what we chatted about:
How Mycelium can be pressed into high-density boards
Why their material is substrate agnostic (and what the heck that means 🤔)
Challenges that still exist with market acceptance
Building a sustainable and healthy company culture
& more. 🍄
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The Guest: Ilya Gindin
Ilya Gindin is the CEO & Co-Founder of COMU Labs
Before starting COMU Labs, Ilya spent over a decade in the startup world, primarily in software, where he held roles as a product lead and startup founder
His transition into the world of sustainable materials began after experiencing burnout and developing a passion for crafting and learning about furniture and materials
Ilya's co-founder, Ilia Litvak, initially sparked his interest in mycelium by exploring the potential of growing edible mushrooms using restaurant waste
This exploration led to the innovative idea of creating high-density pressed boards from mycelium, which aligned with Ilya's values of reducing deforestation
The Company: COMU Labs
One Liner: Sustainable, waste-based mycelium lumber alternatives for eco-friendly furniture and construction materials
COMU Labs bridges the gap between sustainability and affordability in furniture materials by addressing a growing demand in a multibillion dollar market where 80% of products contribute to deforestation and 40% of consumers are having to pay more for sustainable alternatives.
They utilize fungi to transform agricultural waste into robust, machinable and fire-retardant material that looks and behaves like plywood.
It’s sustainable because it’s local, toxin-free and compostable and. It’s affordable as it’s produced from the local waste.
Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!
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📝 Show Notes:
Topics
01:31 Intro
02:49 Discovering Mycelium
09:09 Advantages of Mycelium as a Building Material
11:43 Common Misconceptions about Mycelium
20:31 Scouting New Talent
24:58 Challenges Ahead for Comu Labs
Links
Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X
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🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode!
#189 Sustainable Building Materials, Mycelium, Scaling Production, Navigating Market Acceptance & More w/ Ilya Gindin (COMU Labs)