About

LIGARO was established by a team of six members from different professional and academic backgrounds who came together in Hannover to transform an innovative idea into a startup. The company was founded through an EXIST grant and is dedicated to developing wood adhesives that are both sustainable and safe for users.

The team’s vision is to replace conventional fossil-based wood glues with bio-based alternatives inspired by traditional formulations that predate petroleum-based chemistry.

The Challenge

The idea behind LIGARO originated when one of its founders, Florentine, began building wooden surfboards and became frustrated with the limitations of existing wood adhesives. Most available products were fossil-based and required users to wear protective equipment due to their toxicity.

Seeking a more sustainable and user-friendly alternative, she developed an initial wood glue based on historical recipes. Although the first prototype was not yet suitable for the wider market, it became the foundation for assembling a multidisciplinary team and creating LIGARO.

To strengthen their entrepreneurial knowledge and further develop the business, the team joined the De-TECH Venture Builder Competition in March 2026

The De-TECH Journey

Through the 10-week De-TECH Venture Builder Competition, LIGARO further developed its business case and expanded the team’s portfolio of entrepreneurial methods.

The programme also connected the startup with mentors through the De-TECH network, providing valuable guidance as the company progressed. Participation culminated in winning one of the competition’s €15,000 prizes during the De-TECH Final Event in Hannover, giving the team additional resources to continue developing the company.

Alongside the support received through De-TECH, LIGARO also benefits from the EXIST – University-Based Business Startups programme, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

Impact & Results

Participation in the De-TECH Venture Builder Competition marked an important milestone in LIGARO’s entrepreneurial journey. The startup successfully completed the 10-week programme and was awarded one of the €15,000 competition prizes.

During this period, LIGARO also reached significant business milestones, signing its articles of incorporation on 21 April 2026 and being officially entered into the commercial register on 16 June 2026. Looking ahead, the team will continue to benefit from mentorship provided through the De-TECH project as it advances its mission to develop sustainable, bio-based wood adhesives.