From the Startup Battlefield stage to the International Space Station: geCKo Materials built a sticky product

In the realm of deep tech startups, the road from laboratory innovation to a thriving business can be fraught with challenges. This week on Build Mode, Isabelle Johannessen engages with Capella Kerst, the founder and CEO of geCKo Materials, who recently showcased her venture as the 2024 TechCrunch Startup Battlefield runner-up. Kerst, previously a PhD student at Stanford, focused on creating bio-inspired adhesives that mimic the microscopic hairs enabling geckos to adhere to surfaces. Initially reluctant to embrace the entrepreneurial path, a significant breakthrough in her research prompted her to consider the commercial viability of her work. "When I realized I could produce the material quickly and consistently, I recognized its potential as a marketable product," she explained. However, the transition from a lab discovery to a startup involves more than just a moment of inspiration. Capella recounted her pivotal conversation with her advisor, which marked the start of her journey in founding geCKo Materials. Fast forward five years, and the company is not only scaling its operations but also exploring diverse applications for its adhesive technology, from robotics to manufacturing, and even automotive sectors. In an extraordinary development, geCKo's innovative materials are currently utilized on the International Space Station. Kerst envisions a future where traditional fastening methods like Velcro and suction systems are replaced by her advanced adhesive solutions. This ambitious outlook signifies a commitment to revolutionizing attachment technologies across various industries.