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After nearly two decades immersed in the world of composites — across corporate entities, startups and industry associations — I’ve come to realize that innovation rarely comes from the center. It often emerges at the edges of our ecosystem, where bold startups and visionary investors take on the hard problems others hesitate to tackle or can’t see.

That’s why ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ is launching this new “Startups and Investors” column as a space where I will explore these ecosystems, how they function, what they need to succeed and how their success is shaping the future of our industry, as well as how established companies can better benefit from and engage with them.

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Why this column?

Startups and investors can still feel like outsiders in the world of composites. If you work for an OEM, Tier 1 supplier or midsize materials company, for example, startups might seem chaotic, risky or just not ready for consideration by high-demand sectors like aerospace and automotive. Investors? They can appear even more distant — operating on timelines and terms that feel far removed from industrial reality.

But I see it differently.

Startups are one of the most powerful vehicles we have to accelerate meaningful innovation. And investors — whether angel backers, venture capital firms, corporate ventures or mergers and acquisitions (M&A) professionals — provide the fuel to get those vehicles moving. Beyond financial returns, they are helping technologies mature, scale and ultimately deliver real-world impact. They act as a necessary catalyst to speed innovation.

Over the past few months, I’ve embarked on a new chapter with my company, Catalysium, positioned at the crossroads between startups, industrial players and investors. This column is a way for me to share that journey and the insights I’m gathering along the way. It’s about opening the door to this complex ecosystem: unpacking how it works, who’s involved and where real opportunities lie for collaboration between founders, funders and established industry leaders to move composites forward.

What to expect

Each edition of “Startups and Investors” will zoom in on a specific part of the ecosystem — a startup, a funding trend, a country-level deep dive or an emerging technology domain.

To kick things off, I’m launching a series called Tour de Composites, beginning with France — a country whose startup activities in composites are more advanced and strategically aligned than many realize.

We’ll look at everything from AI-powered recycling systems to next-generation manufacturing processes, from early stage funding rounds to successful acquisitions. But more than just showcasing technology, I’ll highlight the people, institutions and funding models that are impacting the next chapter of composites more than most of us understand.

Toward a more inclusive ecosystem

I’ve worked closely with startups navigating their first pilots, I’ve partnered with corporate entities trying to engage with early stage innovation and I’ve supported investors on both pre- and post-investment activities. In all worlds, I’ve seen that success often comes down to alignment — not just of vision, but of timing, incentives and expectations.

Ultimately, this column is rooted in a simple belief: We need a more inclusive innovation narrative in composites. One that reflects the diversity of players — researchers, entrepreneurs, funders and industrial leaders —  but that also builds bridges between them for the  benefit of end users.

So, whether you’re a CEO, a student, a founder, an investor or simply someone curious about where this industry is heading, I hope this column sparks insight, dialogue and maybe even new collaborations. Let’s explore what’s next — together.

About the Author

Yannick Willemin

Yannick Willemin has an engineering degree in materials and mechanics from France. Over the course of 13 years, he has held multiple positions at SGL Carbon, gaining deep expertise in the composites industry. At the same time, he earned two EMBAs with a focus on finance and entrepreneurship. Afterward, he joined ETH Zurich spinoff 9T Labs as head of business development. Since January 2025, Willemin has been working independently, positioning himself at the intersection of startups, industrial players and investors to drive innovation across the composites landscape with the founding of Catalysium.