#StartupsEverywhere: John Starke, CEO, MyMatR
This profile is part of #StartupsEverywhere, an ongoing series highlighting startup leaders in ecosystems across the country. This interview has been edited for length, content, and clarity.
Tracking trash with technology
John Starke’s career in manufacturing cultivated a passion for quality control and computer vision technology that led to the founding of MyMatR. Focused on smarter waste disposal, MyMatR empowers individuals to make informed decisions about waste with AI-powered solutions. We sat down with the MyMatR CEO to discuss his innovative product, the future of manufacturing, and more.
Tell us about your background. What led you to MyMatR?
I graduated from North Carolina State with a degree in materials engineering and spent my first few years in manufacturing. One of the problems I recognized in the manufacturing process of parts was quality control. From there, I moved into implementing vision technology which looks at the quality control process to identify defects before going to the next stage of manufacturing. However, the role I was in was limiting what I could do, and I realized I needed to go out on my own.
I took the work I was doing in vision technology, implementing it in a way to get value from the materials that I consumed. I was able to meld these two passions into a product enabling people to have more control over the destination of their discarded material. MyMatR came from the idea that there should be a sense of ownership around waste.
I went fully into the company at the very beginning of 2020, doing market investigation to understand the industry. Then the pandemic hit, which gave me time to build the initial prototype. The R&D of the product really started in 2021 and we went to market in 2023.
What is the work you all are doing at MyMatR?
Our first product was the “toss and go” model designed to have people walk by and throw their waste in. The machine would identify the item and sort it into Bin A, usually trash, or Bin B, usually recycling, and provide the user feedback.
After the release of our initial product, we did some testing and realized we weren’t hitting the nail on the head. In early 2024, after some reflecting and upgrades, we came out with what is now our flagship product: the interactive model.
In this model, two input holes allow everyday users to choose where they think their waste goes. The system then takes the item into the sort box and will sort it according to preset options using AI. By allowing people to have the choice we are gamifying waste disposal. After individuals deposit their waste, AI is then used to update the display screen alerting the user if they make the correct choice or not. If they don't, the machine can sort the waste correctly. Within half a second we have informed people about their waste and within three seconds the machine is ready to go again.
We use smart technology to engage, educate, and ensure proper disposal. All of that data then goes to a dashboard where customers can see how frequently the containers are being used, the number of deposits, and the choices people are making. Currently, our technology is deployed with a variety of customers from municipalities to universities.
What has your funding journey been like?
I was fortunate that I had enough personal capital at the beginning to bootstrap the company by myself. It was just me doing the work for a while. I’ve recently brought on some part-time team members who have been extremely helpful. Currently, all MyMatR workers are part-time contractors, apart from myself. We have not faced any challenges in onboarding them, but the main difficulty has been finding the right people for the job—individuals who can effectively balance their full-time work with their part-time responsibilities at MyMatR, and have the necessary skill sets.
We did try to apply for a few grants, but it's a time consuming process and I am limited on time–I have to focus on building the technology and getting customers. We are preparing to launch our first round of fundraising and plan to raise $500,000 in our pre-seed round. Currently, we are finalizing a few internal matters before actively opening the round.
Where are parts for the product made? How could tariffs on imports impact your production?
I'm happy to say our products are made here in Raleigh. My background is in engineering and I’ve spent quite a bit of time in manufacturing, so I was able to figure out the production of the various parts and we are able to easily assemble them.
Right now, many of our components are sourced from online marketplaces due to convenience. We recognize that more cost-effective, long-term suppliers exist but have not yet had the opportunity to fully explore them. Our product includes customized printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are currently manufactured overseas. While we have considered domestic manufacturing options, the significant increase in cost would be unsustainable for the company at this stage.
The ongoing discussions around tariffs raise fundamental questions about survival and who can absorb higher costs or be adaptable. Larger companies with ample capital and established supply chains may have the flexibility to adjust, whereas smaller businesses without the same financial cushion or industry connections could struggle to secure essential materials at competitive prices.
Why did you decide to launch a startup in North Carolina?
After graduating from college in the same area, I decided to stay after accepting a job opportunity in Sanford. It was one of those things where I had roots in here and it seemed like a good place to stay. When I founded my startup, I was amazed by the amazing ecosystem in North Carolina for startups. I didn’t know until I got into the space, but I am glad I chose to stay here.
What are your goals for MyMatR moving forward?
At a high level, I envision most public waste containers becoming smart waste containers. While not every container will be, achieving a majority would enable a more efficient waste disposal process. Beyond municipal solid waste, we are also looking to expand MyMatR into other areas, such as hospital waste and construction waste.
All of the information in this profile was accurate at the date and time of publication.
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