Yessica Klein
8 min read
09 November 2025
Kacper Kossowski and Marcin Koziorowski didn’t plan to become cofounders, but a seaside fishing trip and a shared frustration with waste in the coffee industry set them on a path that would lead to the creation of Ecobean, a startup transforming coffee grounds into valuable compounds. Born and raised in Warsaw, the two had long been immersed in the city’s ecosystem. Their early partnership with the Warsaw University of Technology, where Marcin had spent over 15 years connecting academic research with business applications, gave Ecobean a solid foundation as a university spinoff.
From collecting buckets of coffee waste around town to raising €3 million (~$3.3 million) in funding, Kacper and Marcin built Ecobean step by step. Their experience highlights the challenges of growing an impact-driven startup in a conservative regulatory environment and the resilience needed to survive it. Today, they lead a growing team of researchers and innovators, many of whom they met through the university. Their entrepreneurial journey is also a story about friendship, adaptation and the value of staying grounded.
What led you to create EcoBean?
[Kacper] I’ve worked in the coffee industry for 20 years and was always struck by how little of the raw material actually ends up in your cup. Only 30 percent gets used, 70 percent is discarded, even though it’s full of valuable compounds. That idea stuck with me. Then I happened to share it with my cousins during a fishing trip. One of them mentioned Marcin, who worked with tech and research. We met, hit it off, and began exploring the idea together.
[Marcin] I’d spent my career helping university researchers connect with real business problems. I saw firsthand how rare it is in Poland for universities to transfer tech to market. So when we started Ecobean, we already had the mindset and the network to bridge that gap.
How did you know you’d make a good team?
[Kacper] It was pure chance that we met, but it worked. And what’s even better, we enjoy each other’s company. We’ve taken holidays together. We’re cofounders, we’re friends.
[Marcin] Our partnership is rooted in mutual respect. But more than that, we complement each other’s skills. That’s what makes it work.
What was the hardest part of starting out?
[Marcin] Regulation. Waste collection is a very slow-moving, conservative sector. It took us two years to start actual operations. At first, we were riding around Warsaw collecting coffee waste in buckets from friends.
[Kacper] And fundraising. We’re pre-revenue, so most of our time goes into pitching. We reached out to over 500 VCs and secured funding from only three or four. That’s a 1 percent success rate. You have to be incredibly persistent but also know when to pivot and reassess.
“There’s a queue for internships at Ecobean now. That’s thanks to the university connections, but also because people want to be part of something that’s growing.”
What keeps you going through the hard moments?
[Kacper] For me, it’s sports – cycling, swimming, running. I’ve done amateur triathlons and it helps me stay balanced and sane. I also try to spend time with family and friends.
[Marcin] I played football with friends until I got injured, so now I’m in recovery mode. But the principle is the same: being active and spending time away from work helps you cope with the constant pressure.
How would you describe Warsaw’s startup ecosystem?
[Marcin] Being in the capital helps a lot. Most corporate HQs are based here, and you’re close to accelerators, coworking spaces and potential partners. We’re based at CIC Warsaw, which is full of bright minds and great energy.
[Kacper] Warsaw is also investing heavily in sustainability and infrastructure. There’s a good cycling network, strong public transport and a vibrant green-city feel. But on the VC side, especially for impact startups like ours, Poland is still developing.
What’s your favorite thing about the city?
[Kacper] The mix of tradition and modernity. We have a tragic history, so I take my guests to the Museum of Warsaw Uprising first to understand our story. Then, it's easier to see how Warsaw is.
[Marcin] I've lived in most districts in Warsaw, and the great thing is you can find everything you need here. You can live in a high-rise or you can live next to the river. There's a spot for everyone here. We are becoming a European capital. The city has made incredible progress, and it's exciting to see where it's heading.
“Running a startup is like building a plane while flying it. You’re doing everything yourself, fast, and on a tight budget.”