The Portuguese startup CRE.MAR produces diamonds based on ashes that arise from the cremation of bodies and, for this ingenious idea, won the Road2WebSummit.

The founder of the startup, Víctor Oliveira said that the idea came up in 2017, and for now intends to stabilize the business in the Portuguese market and, next year, progressively enter the European market, namely, France, Finland and Spain, and for this he hopes to have the right support and funding.

"If we have an investment round, I want it to be in Portugal." Now "in the other [European] markets" - where he intends to adopt the 'franchising' model - "I would say that in five years I'd like to have some visibility.

The entrepreneur explained that the choice of these three European markets has to do with the "growth they are showing in cremation processes".

"With diamonds we have national coverage. Anyone who has ash at home can request it. We have a big waiting list now," he pointed out.

This way of producing diamonds shows the concern that Vítor Oliveira has with environmental issues, and cremation "has an ecological aspect", because the process of cremation is more environmentally friendly, "than the body in the ground".

The ambition is even bigger. Oliveira said that for the future, the company intends to implement the water-based cremation process "which is equivalent to a cigarette for the atmosphere.

And this, he concludes, "is the most ecological way to die."

Source: DN