Meet Raúl Segura, selected in the first call for applications.
Tell us briefly about yourself and your background!
My name is Raúl Segura Cruz, and I am currently in my second year of a PhD programme in Industrial Engineering at the University of Extremadura. I have over 28 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of polymer resins, composite materials, and recycling systems. Throughout my career, I have contributed to the development, scale-up, or optimisation of more than 200 polymers, composite materials, and recycling processes.
How did you find out about SCAIRA?
I learned about it through direct information from PCTEX-FUNDECYT. Some of the most attractive aspects of the programme include the quality of the training provided and the opportunity to establish B2B relationships with prestigious companies.
What stage is your start-up currently at?
We are supported by a solid research and development line, positioning us with strong initial momentum. Our technologies, depending on the sector, have reached TRL levels close to industrial scale-up.
What is the nature of your project, and what problem does it aim to solve?
We are currently in the process of consolidating a technology that will enable us, in the short term, to secure funding and build a pilot plant for the scaling, demonstration, and optimisation of our developments, with the aim of facilitating their transfer and industrial-scale deployment.
Which SCAIRA services have you chosen?
1. Legal and administrative training for the creation of a start-up: to have a clear support that allows us to create the company under the legal forms, standards and criteria of a startup from its origin.
2. Training in intellectual property: its importance lies in the fact that many of our current developments require effective and correct protection, mainly in the form of a patent or utility model.
3. Financial strategy for innovation and sustainable manufacturing: acquiring targeted financial knowledge to support innovation and manufacturing from a planned sustainability perspective, along with the development of sound financial strategies.
4. National public funding opportunities for start-ups and green innovations: to understand the various types of support, organisations, and calls for proposals, as well as the benefits, responsibilities, and opportunities that public funding can offer to accelerate the consolidation and growth of the start-up
5. Complete the team of start-ups in rural areas with the necessary competencies: it is necessary to understand and implement processes and procedures for the proper attraction and retention of talent.
6. Proof of concept (PoC) of the idea: highly important, as it will allow us to demonstrate our technology in a near real-industrial environment and strengthen its scalability potential.
7. Training in MVP and prototypes: as above and in addition to point 6, the aim is to create a prototype in an industrial environment to demonstrate our technology and increase the feasibility of scaling it up.
8. Technical and sustainable roadmap: it is very important to be clear about which indicators allow us to carry out a correct evaluation and monitoring of the efficiency of resource use and sustainability.
9. Measurement and impact in the industrial project: to identify, understand, and apply key sustainability and environmental indicators throughout the project.
10. Marketing and communication: this is a key area. As the project originates from an R&D environment and may evolve into a start-up, marketing and communication are often undervalued. That is why I consider them essential.
11. Developing the business plan using the start-up methodology and the Business Model Canvas: the goal is to thoroughly understand the framework and apply it effectively to build a strong business plan for our project and eventual company.
12. Market research and target customer identification: this is crucial, as it will enable us to segment our target market effectively and allocate resources efficiently.
13. Preparation of the presentation for the industrial sector and the video presentation (LOOM): this activity is of significant relevance, as it will enhance the clarity and effectiveness of our project communication, thereby increasing its acceptance and impact within the industrial community.
14. Organisation of B2B meetings between start-ups and industry, as well as B2F meetings between start-ups and investors: these interactions will provide an essential opportunity to present our developments to potential investors, representing a critical gateway for the growth and consolidation of any start-up
What are your short-term objectives during the acceleration programme?
Incorporate the knowledge acquired in this context into the project’s development process and, consequently, into the implementation of the start-up that will emerge from it
Who is your target market, and what customer need are you addressing?
Large manufacturers of metal, plastic, or polymer materials face a growing need to incorporate recycled content into their end products. This must be achieved without compromising the products’ performance, while also complying with internal sustainability goals and external regulations related to recycling, sustainability, and the circular economy
What are your main current challenges?
Scale up technological solutions to pilot level in order to demonstrate progress and results in an environment that enables validation of their feasibility for industrial-scale implementation.
Do you already have a team?
I am currently in the process of assembling such a team.
