Insights from the Community

In Basel, exciting ideas emerge every day – driven by people with curiosity, courage, and a great passion for technology. At BaselTech, we want to highlight these very tech minds.

In our monthly community interview, we put the spotlight on the people behind projects, startups, and companies. We talk to founders, developers, and other innovators about their motivation, experiences, and the ideas that drive them. This isn't about advertising; it's about personal stories, learnings, and perspectives.

The interview series offers honest insights into Basel's tech scene, highlights fascinating people and their ideas, and fosters new connections within the community. It's concise, personal, and inspiring – aiming to encourage exchange and participation.

Pearl Oti-Amoako and Göknur Bektas: How klaro emerged from a conversation

Sometimes, all it takes is the right conversation at the right time. That's exactly what happened with Pearl Oti-Amoako and Göknur Bektas. The two met at a Startup Academy Basel event – initially with the plan for Pearl to create a proposal for the digital implementation of Göknur's idea.

However, after just a few initial conversations, it became clear that something more significant could develop. Göknur wasn't just looking for someone to handle the technical implementation; he needed someone who would share his vision. "I didn't need a proposal; I needed someone to co-develop this," he recounts.

Pearl brought exactly what Göknur was missing: experience in digitalization, product development, and business. At the same time, sustainability had long been an important topic for her. "Sustainability was important to me. It was part of my bachelor's thesis at the University of Basel. That's when I really paid attention," she says.

For years, Göknur has been exploring how to better utilize resources. His passion began early: as a teenager, he earned pocket money at the recycling center, taking discarded items, repairing them, and reselling them. What others threw away, he already saw differently back then. His motto to this day: "Waste is a valuable resource."

Today, Pearl and Göknur combine their diverse strengths in klaro. Together, they are developing a digital solution that helps companies better understand their waste streams, optimize them based on data, and utilize resources more efficiently. And the company name also sums up their mission with a wink: "With klaro, waste management is klaro."

Who are Pearl Oti-Amoako and Göknur Bektas?

Pearl Oti-Amoako and Göknur Bektas are the co-founders of klaro. Pearl contributes her experience in digitalization, product development, and business, and is responsible for product development. Göknur brings his many years of experience in waste management and his passion for the circular economy. Together, they work to help companies utilize resources more intelligently.

What do Pearl and Göknur want to share with the community?

Pearl and Göknur want to demonstrate that sustainability and technology work together ideally. For them, waste management is far more than mere disposal: it means rethinking processes and creating valuable resources from what is perceived as waste. Both are convinced that innovation arises from the interplay of different perspectives. Pearl Oti-Amoako sees technology as a crucial tool for real change, while Göknur Bektas puts it this way: "We don't sell software. We sell a promise" – the promise to relieve companies and provide them with new insights into their material and waste streams.

What do Pearl and Göknur expect from BaselTech?

From BaselTech, they primarily hope for straightforward access to knowledge, experts, and potential customers. For young companies, it's crucial to quickly find the right contacts. Göknur Bektas sums it up: "Time is the most important resource we have."

How do Pearl and Göknur contribute to the BaselTech Community?

Pearl and Göknur openly share their experiences in digitalization, sustainability, and company building. They demonstrate how different competencies come together and how an idea evolves into a product with real added value. At the same time, they want to encourage other founders to boldly implement their ideas.

What challenges have particularly shaped Pearl and Göknur?

A defining challenge was setting up the first pilot projects. Convincing companies of a new solution requires patience, trust, and clear communication of its added value. Pearl describes the learning process as continuous development, while Göknur emphasizes that it's about "asking the right questions to trigger something in companies."

What excites you about your profession / industry?

Pearl is excited by the opportunity to develop digital products with real value. Göknur is fascinated by the idea that seemingly worthless materials hold great potential. Together, they are motivated by the chance to combine economic efficiency with ecological impact.

A fun fact about Pearl and Göknur?

Göknur's first small business venture began at the recycling center, where as a teenager he repaired and resold items. Pearl, on the other hand, was originally only supposed to write a proposal – and instead became a co-founder. And the name klaro emerged after many brainstorming sessions with a simple yet fitting idea: With klaro, waste management becomes clear.

What key takeaway do Pearl and Göknur want to share?

Pearl and Göknur's most important takeaway is: Just start. Many things seem complicated at first, but they become much simpler as soon as you take the first step and connect with the right people.

What question should community members be sure to ask?

Pearl and Göknur emphasize the importance of clearly understanding and communicating the concrete benefits of a solution. During the conversation, it became clear repeatedly that companies are only willing to implement new solutions if the added value is clear and a real problem is solved.

As Göknur aptly puts it: "We don't sell software. We sell a promise."

For members of the BaselTech Community, this leads to a central question:

„What concrete value does my solution create for customers?“

Finally

If you'd like to learn more about Pearl and Göknur and their work with klaro, feel free to visit the website of klaro .

And if you'd also like to share your story, experiences, or learnings with the BaselTech Community, get in touch with us. We look forward to hearing from you – and perhaps you'll soon be part of our next edition of "Insights from the Community".

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