The Root journey with maze x

author

Mafalda

Exploring Root Sustainability's journey with maze x

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In the quest to drive impactful change, Root Sustainability, led by co-founders Maud and Gijs de Mol, partnered with maze x, maze’s early-stage funding programme dedicated to amplifying the growth and impact of newly-founded teams to refine their strategies, connect with influential partners, and accelerate their journey towards innovation and impact. Root Sustainability's experience with maze x highlights the programme's vision to nurture startups committed to creating positive environmental and social change.

Meet Maud, co-founder of Root Sustainability, based in sunny Lisbon. Two years ago, Maud and Gijs de Mol embarked on a mission to revolutionise Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by automating the methodology at scale and empowering product companies to meet compliance standards while driving sustainable growth.

In this interview, Maud shares why Root Sustainability chose maze x, the key areas they focused on during the programme, memorable highlights, and the transformative impact the maze x programme had on their company:

1. Why did you apply to maze x?

We had been searching for the right accelerator for quite some time already, having several conversations with different accelerators. Ultimately, we opted for maze x because of its special focus on startups committed to driving real change in sustainability and its personalised approach, tailoring the program to our specific needs. And then, maybe last but certainly not least, it just felt right from the start to work together with the Maze team, and I think that connection in the end was the main driver for our choice of maze x.

2. What were the areas you worked on during the programme?

We started by doing many customer interviews again, which I loved. Then, we revised and refined our customer value proposition, sales deck, investment deck, target audience, user personas, and messaging. I guess all of that work led to the creation of several go-to-market strategies that we're currently actively testing.

3. What were the highlights of your experience in the programme?

Undoubtedly, the highlights revolved around working with the maze team itself. Rita and Antonio proved invaluable in refining our financial modelling, while Rodrigo was always around to actively support us with any new challenge we faced. Then, we did the workshops with Alfonso, which was my favourite. The extensive research, intense discussions, and always funny and sharp remarks from his side made us create, among other things, a very sharp Client Value Proposition in the end.

4. In which ways has the programme impacted your company?

Maze introduced us to and continues introducing us to many amazing partners, many of whom we still work with today. The various workshops during the program shifted our perspectives on many things in a way we could never have achieved without Maze.

5. Would you recommend the maze x programme?

I’d say to any startup out there: If you want to be backed up by a team that wants nothing more than for you to succeed and does everything in its power to ensure that’s the only way forward, maze x is your go-to!

At maze x, we are committed to empowering impact-driven startups like Root Sustainability to achieve their full potential. The programme provides tailored support, fosters valuable connections, and inspires innovative solutions for a sustainable future. If you're a founder looking to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to join us here!