What happens when sustainable architecture meets robotics and 3D printing? Angelika Bocian-Jaworska, the founder and CEO of Äerd Lab, is answering that question by turning construction waste into eco-friendly, customisable clay bricks.
Startup Luxembourg
Angelika Bocian-Jaworska (ABJ): My background is in architecture, sustainable architecture, and 3D printing with clay—quite a specific field. I studied in Liechtenstein and did an exchange semester in Shanghai. I wanted to merge the two topics I learned about: sustainable materials and robotics in Industry 4.0.
So I decided to try starting an activity connected to my education and mission, which is merging these two areas—especially at a time when we talk a lot about decarbonising the construction sector. My goal was not just to debate or calculate the carbon footprint but to create a product that could be used by companies and private clients to make a real impact on their living spaces. That’s how we started, taking small steps. I started on my own, which was challenging, but now we’re slowly growing. We have investors, and we’ve built a team.
ABJ: We 3D print raw clay bricks, which is our first product. Using clay waste from construction, we address a waste management problem for construction companies. We take this clay and mix it with geopolymers. For some projects, we use a special powder, which is also a by-product from the food industry.
Materials considered waste are resources for us. This approach solves problems for others while also keeping our resource costs low since waste is often affordable. We don’t just recycle but upcycle these materials, giving them added value. Our bricks don’t need to be fired, saving a lot of energy in production and significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. In fact, our production process is 70% less CO₂-intensive compared to traditional bricks.
From a client perspective, our product is versatile. It’s been used initially for interiors, allowing people to build parts of their apartment, house, or even workspaces. The bricks can also be used for furniture like desks or stools, either in the garden or indoors. With 3D printing, we offer custom-made designs that traditional methods can’t achieve, combining sustainability, aesthetics and design.
ABJ: Last year, the Circular by Design Challenge organised by Luxinnovation helped us a lot. It supported the development of our mix of clay waste with powder from the food industry. As a result, we will be delivering our bricks as furniture to the Luxembourg Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. So this opportunity gave us visibility, clients, and the chance to upgrade our equipment.
Fit 4 Start (the Luxembourg acceleration programme) however, was the most transformative experience. It completely changed my approach as a founder, helping me define clear goals and build a realistic roadmap to achieve them. My dream is 3D-printed clay houses, but I learned that it’s crucial to take small steps, starting with bricks for interiors. Fit 4 Start provided access to investors, experts, and intensive courses on management and financial planning. The process was challenging, with constant scrutiny, but it was also incredibly helpful.
Through Fit 4 Start, we joined the American accelerator gener8tor, which has a presence in Luxembourg. They invested in us and provided a different approach, which I also appreciated.
In 2023, we participated in many startup competitions, including the EY Startup Cup. While we didn’t win, being a finalist was a great experience. It helped me practice public speaking, elevator pitches, and explaining the benefits of our product to clients. It was challenging, but I’m happy to have had the opportunity to showcase what we’re doing.
ABJ: I think it does, especially in terms of aesthetics. In this industry, aesthetics aren’t often prioritised. However, end users—people living in apartments or public buildings—care deeply about the quality and look of their spaces.
Being a woman, I naturally consider the design process early on, rather than as an afterthought. This helps ensure the final product appeals to users. Marketing also comes naturally to me, presenting not only the product but the team and values behind it in an engaging way. Construction products are rarely marketed like this—they’re often just technical solutions. I think this approach attracts people to what we do.
ABJ: In construction and cleantech, which are male-dominated industries, it can be challenging for women to be taken seriously at first. I’ve often been asked, “Why are you doing this? Why not do something else?” Over time, as we prove our product, these attitudes change.
Fundraising is another challenge. Luxembourg’s investors mainly focus on software, while we’re working on hardware at this stage. This makes it harder to fit their profiles. Additionally, women tend to raise less funds than men. Questions about family plans, like whether you intend to have children, can also arise, and these biases can make fundraising even more difficult. However, I’ve been fortunate to find open-minded investors who focus on the value of the founder and the product rather than gender.
ABJ: Consistency is critical. Many people have good ideas, but ideas cannot be patented and ideas alone don’t lead to success. You need to turn them into tangible products. Resilience is also essential because the deeper you go with your mission, the more challenges you’ll face. However, it’s also important to view obstacles as opportunities rather than problems.
Enjoying the startup journey is equally important. Entrepreneurship can be difficult, but every challenge is an opportunity to learn and is a free lesson. While people advise learning from others’ mistakes, we often learn most effectively from our own experiences.
ABJ: Yes I have a few. Neri Oxman, formerly at MIT Media Lab, for her visionary ideas such as integrating biology and chemistry into design. I don’t know her personally, but I’ve been following her for years. Maria Skłodowska-Curie inspires me not only because she was Polish, like me, but because she achieved groundbreaking discoveries and won two Nobel Prizes. I also look up to Zaha Hadid, the very first woman in architecture practicing parametric design. She was a pioneer and a very powerful architect.
ABJ: Think about your team from the start. In Luxembourg, finding team members can be difficult, so plan for this early. Whether you want a co-founder or prefer to work solo, assembling a core team with diverse skills is crucial for developing your first product. You can’t have all the skills possible, and you don't even know at the beginning that you will need skills in finance, team management, product and project management. So don't find people who are exactly like you or are your good friends. It’s also important to find people who share your vision but have different strengths. This diversity will be crucial to help you grow faster.
