Please introduce yourself first and tell us about your background, areas of expertise, and your position in your institution.

I am Marius and I am passionate about the interface between business and technology, which is also where my work at Gate2Growth lies. As a business consultant, I need to speak two “languages”: 1) the language of the researcher who focuses on R&D&I and tries to advance the technology towards maturity; 2) the language of the business partner or investor who wants to see a sound business case based on that technology development. It is a career path for a unique combination of competencies (PhD in Chemistry and a second BSc in Economics and International Business) characterized by multidisciplinarity. Multidisciplinarity is also the approach that happens to be at the core of virtually all EC-funded projects (such as ROTATE). Another aspect of my work at Gate2Growth is to create business plans for our private clients, whether for grant- or equity-based investments supported by national or European funding schemes/programmes.

 

What is your role in Rotate as an organization and as an individual?

In ROTATE, Gate2Growth leads tasks relating to commercial exploitation strategies. We help identify technical opportunities toward the most promising directions, widen the possibilities for innovation activities and ensure future market uptake of the project’s results.

G2G main activities are:

  • Assessment of key exploitable results and identification of risks and needs related to pursuing their commercialization.
  • Develop business models and plans for each exploitable result.
  • Support implementation of adequate strategies for the protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

My role is to lead both the technical and the financial management of the project, supported by my colleague Nikolaj and other colleagues at Gate2Growth, making sure that we deliver on time, on quality and on budget.

Why do you think that projects like Rotate are so important?

Projects like ROTATE facilitate community building essential for social cohesion and collective action with shared goals. Collaborative efforts, such as ROTATE, are crucial for the EU’s aim of ensuring a safe, sustainable, and independent raw material supply. While acknowledging society’s reliance on mineral extraction and its environmental impact, initiatives like this highlight opportunities for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity management. These projects aid the transition to more sustainable resource use models, minimizing environmental impact within the mining industry.

In your opinion which should be the most important areas for the future of mining?The mining sector holds a crucial role in ecosystem management and restoration due to its substantial footprint. It must prioritize social, environmental, and industrial innovation aspects, addressing pending matters with communities and ensuring sustainable practices. Cleaner extraction processes, reduced ecological impact, and energy efficiency improvements are vital for a sustainable future. Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the sector must actively drive strategic change towards sustainability, focusing on responsible sourcing, transparency, and improved working conditions to secure long-term success and societal acceptance.

 

Let us know you a little bit better. Would you tell us something you like to do when you are out of the office?

Quality time with my family and connecting/re-connecting with friends (many abroad) are most valuable to me. Additionally, I enjoy all the time I can get to spend outside, whether birdwatching, gardening or simply walking in nature. I am also an avid reader, and, in the past, I used to play more football and board games.