Kubik, an Ethiopian startup which makes low-carbon buildings from plastic waste, has secured $1.9 million in a seed extension round to bolster its plastic waste recycling operations. The funding, provided by African Renaissance Partners, Endgame Capital, and King Philanthropies, supports Kubik's mission to address housing and waste challenges in Africa by converting plastic waste into affordable building materials. With plans to expand across Africa by 2025, Kubik aims to enhance technology, empower female waste collectors, and meet escalating demand for its environmentally friendly products.
Kubik, founded in 2021 by Kidus Asfaw and Penda Marre, recently opened a factory in Addis Ababa, producing interlocking building materials from plastic waste. The startup's innovative approach speeds up construction and reduces costs by up to 40% per square meter, offering a sustainable solution to Africa's plastic pollution crisis. Currently recycling 5,000 kilograms of plastic waste daily, Kubik collaborates with corporations and the Addis Ababa municipality to process up to 45,000 kilograms, contributing to global efforts to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable development.