Hello Marie! We’re delighted to welcome you back for this second interview dedicated to the female talents of Greentech.
First of all, can you remind us what Ecodrop is?
Ecodrop offers waste management solutions for construction professionals. We either give them access to professional recycling centers near their construction sites at preferential rates, or we collect their waste from the site and direct it to responsible channels, i.e., sorting centers or recycling centers. Each operation is automatically tracked to determine where the waste comes from and where it goes. The service includes handling, transportation, and waste management, all of which is operated by partners. I founded the company in 2016. We now have more than 3,500 clients with a presence throughout France, and we have managed more than 200,000 tons of waste since the beginning of the year. We obtained the Greentech Innovation certification in 2020.
Before launching Ecodrop in 2016, what was your background? Were you already involved in construction and waste management?
I have a very committed background: first, I worked in communications, then, after a few years, I realized I wanted to get involved in sustainable development.
I traveled the world to discover environmental initiatives, during which I wrote columns for Yann Arthus-Bertrand on the website GoodPlanet.info. When I returned, I completed an internship to learn about sustainable development issues at Comité 21 (editor’s note: a network of stakeholders working to implement sustainable development, particularly in communities, businesses, and other organizations, a network created by Simone Veil following the Rio Summit).
It was there that I co-authored a book on sustainable cities and led debates and conferences on responsible marketing. It was also at this time that I joined Saint-Gobain Isover as a communications and digital marketing manager. I was frequently involved in building energy efficiency issues.
After a few years, my interest in the circular economy became more defined, and I quickly realized that there was a waste problem to be solved in the construction industry, with few solutions. As a web expert, I understood that there was something to be done with digital technology that would allow us to reach the target audience of small artisans, an extremely diverse target group, with 500,000 artisans in France who are not traditionally served by waste managers. At the same time, there was a major problem with illegal dumping of waste. “My interest in the circular economy became clearer, and I quickly realized that there was a waste problem to be solved in the construction industry, with few solutions. As a web expert, I understood that there was something to be done with digital technology.”
My employer, Saint-Gobain, supported me in creating the company by investing in the capital during my first fundraising round. This quickly gave me the credibility and legitimacy to bring on board other investors and institutional support. We received a grant from ADEME right from the start for our efforts to combat fly-tipping.
These early days clearly demonstrate the company’s growth, but have you encountered any obstacles, particularly related to your status as a woman?
When I proposed this project to Saint-Gobain, I immediately thought that my status as a woman was actually a positive thing; it was still rare for women to propose projects to them. Today, when you can be credible and provide the assurance of a solid project’s seriousness, being a woman can be an asset, as there seems to be a desire to compensate for the underrepresentation of women.
Then, I partnered with two men: my CTO (Technical Director) and my Managing Director, who is in charge of operations. Being a woman could have been an asset in terms of overall management and presenting the project to institutions, but I think you need to provide a dual sign of credibility.
“Today, when you can be credible and provide the assurance of a solid project’s seriousness, being a woman can be an asset, as there seems to be a desire to compensate for the underrepresentation of women.” Remi Calmel, Managing Director, Marie Combarieu, CEO of Ecodrop
In customer relations in the construction and waste sector in general, it’s important to have human support. I can speak to clients, of course, especially those from large companies, but when you talk to people in the construction industry all day, it’s easier to have human support in the sales department, mainly for credibility reasons.
However, I did encounter some difficulties, even though this project was born under the right stars from the start: it strongly meets a need at the right time, and we raised the right funds at the right times to be able to grow as needed.
I encountered some difficulties with some particularly “closed” individuals. In these moments, I think you have to be particularly strong in your commitment and confidence and demonstrate your credibility.
I’ve had three fundraising experiences. The first was a “friends & family” round, so with people in our close circle who trusted us, in addition to Saint-Gobain, who knew me well, there were few problems on that front.
Then, there was a very difficult phase with the “pre-seed” fundraising: we had proven our business model, but we didn’t have enough traction to seek investment funds, so we turned to “business angels.” Whether you’re a man or a woman, it doesn’t matter; it’s a difficult phase because banks don’t want to back you. Since the company is too small for investment funds, business angels remain the best way to raise funds, but you have to know them… After going through a phase of trial and error, I finally found the right people. During our major €5 million fundraising round in 2020, I decided to seek support from an investment bank that clearly understood the duality of women’s status when it comes to fundraising: it’s either an asset or a challenge. Indeed, funds focused heavily on technology and digital technology are difficult to obtain when you’re a woman, but impact funds favor companies led by women more.
Have you had, or do you follow, female entrepreneur role models to inspire you?
No, for me, it’s simply people’s commitment that inspires me. Personally, it’s the TerraCycle project that inspired me the most. So I don’t ask myself the question of women versus men. What’s interesting are the projects and how they are carried out; so I know a lot of success stories and failures.
If you had one message to convey, either to those who are hesitant to take the plunge or to those who have already embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure, what would it be?
When you embark on it, you still have to know what you’re going for. It’s a lot of work, a lot of responsibility. But it’s an absolutely magnificent experience, especially when you’re doing something impactful. You absolutely have to do it if you want to try to change things, change the world, or propose a new vision of the future. Transformations aren’t necessarily major technological shifts, but a new way of seeing the market.
What is certain is that men and women won’t have exactly the same approach, and women have just as much of a place as men to do it: we complement each other very well, so you shouldn’t hesitate. On the other hand, you have to be prepared to demonstrate strength because, yes, it’s necessary when you’re a woman. When it comes to high-impact topics, I find that women always have very rich ideas and aren’t afraid of obstacles. As a female entrepreneur, what you have to say to yourself is, “I am a woman and I do this. I do it well and I go about it without hesitation. Anyone who doesn’t want to follow because they think women are less competent, tough luck.”
“When it comes to high-impact topics, I find that women always have very rich ideas and aren’t afraid of obstacles. As a female entrepreneur, what you have to say to yourself is, “I am a woman and I do this. I do it well and I go about it without hesitation.”
To learn more about Ecodrop:
https://ecodrop.net/
Marie Combarieu’s profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-combarieu-ecodrop/
About the article series
Created by the Greentech Innovation team, this series of interviews highlights female entrepreneurship within the Greentech ecosystem.
These women, who are among the talents of French greentech, share their journeys, their obstacles, their successes, and their vision of their status as women in the entrepreneurial field, which is still predominantly male and unequal. These women, bearers of hope for the future of entrepreneurship, inspire us and represent the progress that is taking place, and that must continue.
Interview #1: Tiphaine Bezard, co-founder and sales director at My Troc Pro