Our story
An engineering company with an environmental conscience.
The idea of GaeaStar came about some years back when Sanjeev was traveling in his native India. While traveling he noticed that street vendors would sell tea (Indian Chai) in crudely handmade terracotta cups, commonly known as “Kulhars”. Patrons would drink the tea and then throw away the Kulhar as it was not to be used again, i.e. a single-use disposable cup. It is estimated that Kulhars may have been in use in the region for the past 5,000 years, since the Indus Valley Civilization. The beauty of this ancient method is that since the Kulhars are made from earth, they are eco friendly. This observation percolated in Sanjeev’s mind for a while until he had the eureka moment of combining this ancient practice with the 21st century technology of additive manufacturing, to solve our current day plastics waste problem.
GaeaStar was founded in 2020 with headquarters in both San Francisco and Berlin. We embody a unique blend of social purpose, product innovation, and engineering expertise. As a holistic solution provider, we’re committed to revolutionizing the way to-go products are manufactured and used.
Our team, comprising engineers, scientists, designers, finance professionals, and support staff from diverse backgrounds, collaborates seamlessly to develop environmentally friendly containers for food and beverages. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, we engineer multi-use items on demand, such as coffee cups, crafted from earthen materials that naturally disintegrate without harming the environment. We prioritize convenience without compromising on sustainability, offering cost-saving solutions for the long term. Beyond product development, we’re dedicated to raising awareness and challenging the status quo, fostering a cultural shift away from single-use habits towards embracing circularity.
The company name “GaeaStar” includes the ancient Greek term “Gaea” (also: Gaia), who was the primordial goddess of the earth in Greek mythology, and which has the general meaning “earth”. To “Gaea” the English term “Star” is added. The “Star” is derived from “Tvastar” (also:Tvastr and Tvashtar), who was the divine artisan and builder god in Hindu mythology.