Sebastian Sajoux
Sebastian Sajoux
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Sebastian Sajoux: Arqlite Picked California Because [It Has] Some of the Highest Manufacturing Standards in the World

Sebastian Sajoux of Arqlite Social Purpose Corp.

Tell us about yourself?

Businessman, environmental crusader and successful entrepreneur.

I am passionate and dedicated to developing practical, technological and environmental sustainability solutions to protect the global natural environment, human and ecological health, all while driving innovation and not compromising quality of life.

I have served as a trusted advisor to large international companies as they create and manage corporate actions to promote sustainability programs across the globe.

I am also a visionary who founded and is building proprietary plastic recycling technology plants to solve the world’s non-recyclable products stockpile.

What do you think is the single biggest misconception people have when it comes to startups?

There’s some general idea about startups being operated in garages… I think that’s a bit 80’s, specially after co-working was born to give entrepreneurs a friendly working space plus the vital networking.

What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?

I’ve learned so many lessons I could write a book with them.

Through the years my role and my approach to it has changed so much that I’d say the main learning is staying flexible. Being capable of adapting to change.

If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

I still remember one of my first mentors saying I needed to double every time projection. He fell short. My one liner to myself would be time and money are never too much.

A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?

I believe there are stages. At the beginning startups need you connected full time. It’s like having a baby — at the every beginning it requires your 100%.

With time your kid will grow and become less needy. Entrepreneurs, as fathers will learn on the go.

There’s no fathers’ book that can tell you how to do it. There’s no entrepreneur book either. With time the balance comes.

Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?

Arqlite was born as a solution to the plastic crisis. We develop technologies and processes to tackle plastic pollution.

What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?

Having born in Argentina, both myself and Arqlite, provides a very pragmatical way of making things. Bootstrapping turns into efficiency and creativity into growth.

Our mission is the final condiment for a passionate team driving change.

How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?

Being an R&D company sometimes deviates resources from sales and marketing to enhance processes. This could result in longer go-to-market market times, so ideally keep your budgets divided and allocate as much as you can to sales.

What do you consider are the main strengths of operating your business in California over other states in the US?

Arqlite picked California because some of the highest manufacturing standards in the world, and we wanted our technology to be up to those standards in order to be ready to scale globally.

What (if any) are the weaknesses of operating your business within California?

Higher costs have to be considered, specially by hardware companies like ours. Overall is a great state for startups willing to use it as a trampoline to other states and regions.

We are currently suffering through a cost of living crisis. With California already being one of the most expensive states to live in, how has this impacted your business?

As a part of our adaptation to local prices we decided to transform our local facility into an R&D building, forbidding us to scale in volume and impact. We’ve let that for our licensees, willing to install facilities in states more open to manufacturing.

It is no secret that California is the birthplace of innovation. But that also makes it incredibly competitive. How have you found the competitive environment of California?

In our space competition is usually very collaborative. We need many more companies working together to solve the problem of plastic waste.

Have you considered moving your company to another state? If so, which state and why?

As part of the company plans we’ve analyzed other states, but for now we are happy here.

Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?

Arqlite is growing through a licensing program that offers its unique plastic recycling technologies to companies in the waste management world and the built environment.

We plan to see many machines converting plastic waste into value all around the world.

And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?

Our corporate website: www.arqlite.com, our product website: www.smart.arqlite.com, our @arqlite Instagram, and [email protected] are the best ways to stay in touch.

Follow Arqlite Social Purpose Corp on Twitter or Linkedin.

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