Climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing pressure on the use of space demand a different approach to water infrastructure. Traditional projects often only focus on one purpose, neglecting their impact on ecosystems and people, creating additional challenges. The future lies in solutions that allow us to build for people in harmony with nature for a resilient tomorrow.
And that is where Buccaneer Reefy comes in. They bridge the worlds of engineering and ecology, integrating nature from day one in new water projects. They developed the Reefblock, the BlueBioMetrics nature platform, won the Offshore Wind Innovators award, and successfully completed a breakwater pilot project in the Rotterdam Maas: the Rotterdam Reef. We spoke with Jaime Ascencio, co-founder of Reefy, about their journey: where Reefy stands today, what the future holds, and what aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from Jaime’s experiences.
Reefy just celebrated its 5th anniversary! — how did it all start and where does Reefy stand today?
We started with the development of our first product: the Reefblock. These massive ‘Lego-like’ blocks are designed to not only form a stable structure that breaks waves or replaces scour protection in offshore wind but also create an underwater reef where fish and other species can shelter and breed. But enhancing biodiversity in water goes far beyond that. Our mission has expanded to helping clients enhance nature in every underwater project. We’ve noticed that many developers struggle to know how to build in harmony with nature while being competitive, where do you begin? That’s where we come in.
We guide clients from the start, helping them navigate project requirements and the challenges of meeting them. Using several monitoring technologies, we not only provide the best recommendation to maximize a positive impact but also provide proof that it works once actions are taken. It’s not just about one product; it’s about finding the right solutions and measuring the impact of these solutions. We support a project from start to finish, ensuring that our clients contribute to their sustainability goals.
What do you expect for the future?
Nature itself is the best solution. We already know this, yet we don’t act on it enough. The problem is that nature is still not part of the formula in the decision-making process in many projects. Therefore, we have decided to change this by developing our BlueBioMetrics platform. In a few words, what we do is measure nature and put its value in numbers, allowing it to be in the decision-making formula and to spark a large-scale nature-positive future. By having objective data on biodiversity before and after projects, we unlock multiple opportunities for our clients and nature. Looking ahead, I expect that integrating nature into engineering and water infrastructure will become the standard rather than the exception. Reefy aims to play a key role in helping the industry transition to projects that actively benefit biodiversity.
Jaime the Entrepreneur
Jaime Ascencio, the 32-year-old co-founder of Reefy and passionate diver was born in Mexico. As a child, he spent time along the Mexican coast experiencing first hand the amazing underwater wildlife. However, early in his career, he also witnessed the rapid decline of these natural ecosystems.
In his field, he saw a unique opportunity to start changing this decline: combining construction projects with nature… Changing their impact from negative to a positive one! This vision led him to the Netherlands, the water engineering capital of the world, where he studied at TU Delft and eventually founded Reefy.
It is clear working with nature is the best way forward and I am determined to contribute in making this happen.
As co-founder of Reefy, how would you reflect on your journey as an entrepreneur?
It has been a roller coaster! Both challenging and incredibly educational. I am eternally grateful for the people that have supported us along the way! And especially happy and proud of having Daniel and Leon as the core team when Reefy started. It all began with just an idea after spotting a market opportunity, and it is now a company that needs to take care of its employees, financials, and clients. Every day, new challenges and opportunities come, and I do my best to grow with them. Finding the right environment has been crucial, both for me and the company. When we looked for office space 2.5 years ago, we wanted to be in a place that would help us grow. Several parties from the ecosystem recommended Buccaneer Delft and we are happy to be part of it today!
At Buccaneer we are surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs in the maritime and offshore wind sectors, which is unique. Everyone in the community understands the industry, its challenges, and the major players. We may not all work in the same field, but exchanging experiences is incredibly beneficial. Having a network of peers to share questions and insights with makes a huge difference in tackling various business challenges.
You have such passion and drive, do you think this is what makes an entrepreneur?
There are all different types of entrepreneurs! Passion is critical to help you go through difficult and uncertain moments, but it’s not the only factor. What I think new entrepreneurs also need are resiliency to uncertainty, adaptability to changes, and eagerness to learn. Opportunities come and go, and you have to be ready for them.
What would you say to others who are thinking of becoming first-time entrepreneurs?
Back in 2019, I discussed with Daniel the idea of Reefy for the first time. He asked me if we were ready. We concluded that entrepreneurship is not about having all the answers and a certain path and that without starting, you will never be ready. If you never try, you’ll never know. In the end, there’s no single right or wrong way to start a company. It’s about experiencing, learning, and adapting along the way. All this with the right tempo and the team to make it happen. As my co-founder, Leon once said: “We are running a marathon and not a sprint, but we need to run it as professionals.”
Learn more about Reefy
As an accelerator, Buccaneer Delft proudly supports innovative companies in the ever-evolving energy & maritime sectors. We are committed to helping sustainable ideas grow, and transform into commercial products and solutions, serving as a bridge between the existing industries and innovations. Our community impacts the energy transition with technological innovations transforming the industry. Learn more about our accelerator services.