About us

GLAPE (GLass LAser shaPE), a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, is dedicated to the vision of bending flat glass like sheet metal
ABOUT GLAPE

Our mission and vision

Founded in 2023 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, the GLAPE GmbH aims to become a trusted partner in the glass industry. For until now, the use of geometries and the preservation of optical quality in the glass industry have been at odds with each other. We are engineers and scientist, with a focus on glass and its applications and aim to address this gap.

Decades of research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials has resulted in this unique technology. Combining this research, including an outstanding IP, with a strong background in Business Administration, GLAPE is the leading company for glass products with unique, reproducible, and qualitative geometries in 2D and 3D.

THE TEAM

Meet the experts behind the technology

Dr. Najoua Bolakhrif CEO and Co-Founder
Najoua earned her PhD in biophysics, while also completing an MBA at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf and Düsseldorf Business School. She is responsible for business development, finance and quality assurance and also leads R&D activities within GLAPE.
Matthias Quast CEO and Co-Founder
Matthias studied industrial engineering at RWTH Aachen University. Prior to co-founding GLAPE during his research at the Fraunhofer IWM he worked for specialty glass manufacturer SCHOTT AG. He is responsible for business development, operations as well as the strategic focus.

Advisory board

Andreas Katzer

Andreas Katzer

Executive Advisor, Speaker, Beirat Themis Foresight , StartUp-Mentor.
Bernhard Hötger

Bernhard Hötger

CEO of HEGLA GmbH & Co KG

Prof. Dr. <br>Ulrich Knaack

Prof. Dr.
Ulrich Knaack

Architect and professor for facade technology at the Institute for Statics and Construction at the TU Darmstadt and for Design of Constructions at the TU Delft

Dr. Rainer Kübler

Dr. Rainer Kübler

Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials

Dr. Matthias Seel

Dr. Matthias Seel

Head of Research Group Glass Facade Technology at the Institute of Structures and Design at the TU Darmstadt and Head of Research Glass at the Glass Competence Center

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Let’s discuss your use case!

We combine high precision, optical quality and tight bending radii in one product innovation.

GLAPE is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the European Social Fund as part of the EXIST program.

Copyright: © 2024 GLAPE GmbH. All Rights Reserved.

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