meet the team
Powering Our Mission
Yousef Gorji
Co-founder & CEO
Yousef Gorji has a demonstrated background spanning commodity trading, manufacturing, and mining technologies. He began his career at BTG Pactual in London, Latin America’s largest investment bank, where he managed the movement of mineral concentrates and physical metal cargo to clients and warehouses worldwide. He later joined Intertek in its Oil & Gas division, based in Geneva, quickly advancing to the role of Global Key Account Manager for a tier-1 oil and gas client.
Yousef also worked with Wood Mackenzie, a globally known consultancy in natural resources, where he developed client strategies in the metals and mining sector across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In the last 5 years, he has focused on entrepreneurial ventures, pursuing innovation in mining and metal processing technologies to address critical material demands.
Yousef is an ambassador for the Commodity Trading Club, the world’s largest commodities community. He has also participated as a speaker at global events, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he has addressed topics such as critical minerals and sustainability.
Yousef holds a BSc in Mathematics from Queen Mary, University of London, and an MSc in Commodity Trading from the University of Geneva.
Yousef Gorji has a demonstrated background spanning commodity trading, manufacturing, and mining technologies. He began his career at BTG Pactual in London, Latin America’s largest investment bank, where he managed the movement of mineral concentrates and physical metal cargo to clients and warehouses worldwide. He later joined Intertek in its Oil & Gas division, based in Geneva, quickly advancing to the role of Global Key Account Manager for a tier-1 oil and gas client.
Yousef also worked with Wood Mackenzie, a globally known consultancy in natural resources, where he developed client strategies in the metals and mining sector across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In the last 5 years, he has focused on entrepreneurial ventures, pursuing innovation in mining and metal processing technologies to address critical material demands.
Yousef is an ambassador for the Commodity Trading Club, the world’s largest commodities community. He has also participated as a speaker at global events, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he has addressed topics such as critical minerals and sustainability.
Yousef holds a BSc in Mathematics from Queen Mary, University of London, and an MSc in Commodity Trading from the University of Geneva.
Dr. Mustafa Yildirim
Co-founder & CTO
Mustafa Yildirim is a chemist with a PhD in Chemistry from Istanbul Technical University, where he also earned MS and BS degrees in Chemistry. His expertise spans catalysis, advanced material synthesis, and the development of innovative technologies for industrial and environmental applications. Mustafa has conducted research at institutions such as San Diego State University, where he focused on organometallic complexes for catalytic applications, and Istanbul Technical University, where he developed molecular sensing platforms, novel catalysts, and processes to enhance bioethanol production, contributing to more efficient and sustainable industrial practices.
He has authored several high-profile publications in scientific journals, including a study on innovative sensors for detecting beryllium ions in water. Mustafa is the recipient of prestigious awards, including a graduate research fellowship from TÜBİTAK, Turkey’s institution for scientific and technological research and development.
Mustafa Yildirim is a chemist with a PhD in Chemistry from Istanbul Technical University, where he also earned MS and BS degrees in Chemistry. His expertise spans catalysis, advanced material synthesis, and the development of innovative technologies for industrial and environmental applications. Mustafa has conducted research at institutions such as San Diego State University, where he focused on organometallic complexes for catalytic applications, and Istanbul Technical University, where he developed molecular sensing platforms, novel catalysts, and processes to enhance bioethanol production, contributing to more efficient and sustainable industrial practices.
He has authored several high-profile publications in scientific journals, including a study on innovative sensors for detecting beryllium ions in water. Mustafa is the recipient of prestigious awards, including a graduate research fellowship from TÜBİTAK, Turkey’s institution for scientific and technological research and development.
Dr. Jan Imholze
Advisor
Alicia Eastman
Advisor