David de Min

David de Min is at the forefront of the start-up revolution.

For more than a decade, David has brought new businesses to market, while creating platforms for change, enabling other start-ups to succeed.

The 33-year old serial entrepreneur is the driving force behind TechFort, a unique hub for sustainability starts-ups to prosper – based at The Citadel, a Napoleonic-era fort in Dover.

David is also spearheading System de Min – an interlocking block that could change the way the world builds, impacting the life of everyday people through cheaper, faster, more sustainable housing.

Born of English and Dutch parents, David began his start-up journey in his early 20’s with notable achievements including the founding of Velapp, the world’s first live video editor. The app made waves in the global tech industry and was backed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

During this time, David also began a lifelong interest in early-stage property investments. From his home county, Kent, David focused his interest on The Citadel, a 33-acre moated Napoleonic-era fort near Dover.

After a four-year competitive tender process, David acquired The Citadel from UK Government. He is now transforming the site into TechFort, a unique hub for tech and the creative industries to foster innovation and enable start-ups to prosper.

The project will include a hotel, eco lodges and innovation campuses, all contained within a fully inclusive circular economy focusing on sustainability.

One of the first innovations to come out of TechFort is System de Min – a dry-stack block technology set to change the global construction industry.

Stone and concrete blocks are relics of the stone age. System de Min blocks make building faster, cheaper and more sustainable. They reduce waste or the need for mortar. As a result, System de Min has the potential to achieve annual revenue of $780m, according to market analysis.

To date, David has raised more than £1 million for System de Min, and has generated grant interest, including £500,000 from Innovate UK.

David has also secured preliminary orders from a wide range of UK and Saudi organisations, including personal interest from Saudi Minster for Education, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan.

Alongside his core focus, David has been a senior advisor to the Founders Institute since 2017. His private interests include mentoring new entrepreneurs and making time for lectures at schools, universities and institutions.

David is also executive producer of the award winning short-film Cognition, which has received more than 380 international awards. David is now executive producer of a feature-length film titled, The Citadel.

David’s business activities have allowed him to support numerous charities, including The Teenage Cancer Trust, having sadly lost his brother to leukemia in 2003. David and his family now engage in charity and philanthropy through their foundation.