Benjamin is a seasoned entrepreneur and growth strategist with over a decade of experience building and scaling startups across sustainability, e-commerce, and advanced technology sectors. As CEO of Lasso Loop, he leads the company’s mission to revolutionize home recycling through cutting-edge engineering and circular economy innovation.
Benjamin previously grew multiple companies to over $100M in revenue and brings deep expertise in go-to-market strategy, fundraising, and operational leadership.
Denis is an International MBA holder (English/Mandarin) from The Schulich School of Business. His specialization is in business strategy and marketing. He graduated on the Dean's List at the top of his cohort. During his program, he also studied at Beijing University’s Guanghua School of Management.
Denis has over a decade of work experience spanning strategy, research, operations, marketing, sales, and management. His knowledge of four languages and cultures brings Lasso a competitive advantage in future international business affairs.
Phil has over 20 years experience in the field of Product Design and Development working as a Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager.
He worked for Hella Manufacturing as a Design Engineer then a Lead Designer developing automotive lighting solutions primarily for Jaguar and Landrover - before emigrating to Australia in 2007 and spending ten years working for Electrolux as a senior R&D Project Manager.
Robin Verbruggen might seem like a young graduate. But at the age of 23 he already started his own business, with his co-founder Dr. Yannick Verbelen. He specialises in (hardware) electronics and rapid prototyping.
Robin Verbruggen graduated in 2018 with Summa cum laude as an electrical engineer at the Vrij Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. Besides working as a freelancer Robin works as a part-time lab manager and guest lecturer at the VUB. Where his main focus is to get students ready to design hardware on a profesional level.
Eddi has more than 10 years experience as full stack software engineer and architect, and over 15 years experience as both musician and audio engineer.
He graduated summa cum laude as software engineer at Erasmushogeschool Brussel where he later became teacher. He specialized as full stack IT solutions architect. His broad knowledge helps startups who are looking to have their ideas converted into reality.
Besides working as IT solutions architect, he practises permaculture on his regenerative farm in the drylands of Spain.
Henry joined the Lasso prototype development team based in Orange NSW in December 2019 bringing 30 years experience in White goods manufacturing to the team. Henry commenced work in 1985 at Email Major Appliances (Electrolux Major Appliances) on the factory production line.
After completing certificate courses in Mechanical and Industrial technology began working his way up through various departments as both an Export Engineer and Technical Service Officer before working in R&D Engineering/Project Management roles developing domestic and imported white goods for the Australian market. When not developing the Lasso prototype Henry has a keen interest in photography, photo restoration and videography.
Dr. Verbelen is an electrical engineer, inventor, and scientist with over 10 years of experience in electronics and circuit design. He has expertise in low power electronics and embedded systems, and invented complementary balanced energy harvesting for which he was awarded a PhD with the highest honours by Brussels University in 2018 and is a senior research associate at the University of Bristol.
Dr. Verbelen has designed over 100 circuit boards, including mixed signal systems, power electronics, digital interfaces, and specialised sensor applications. Aside from his focus on recycling technologies, he also works on nuclear technology, robotics, advanced sensors, and high energy physics, among others.
Neil has worked with and been a partner in leading Sydney law firms, a principal in a trans-Tasman corporate advisory and investment banking firm, and is now principal of his own legal practice.
Neil is a past President of the Australia-New Zealand Business Council.
Jonathan is a hands-on entrepreneur with a successful track record across multiple industries, including investment management, bakery operations (retail and wholesale distribution), and commercial real estate. He brings deep expertise in investment research, financial analysis, and business development. He is particularly passionate about climate-tech and energy applications that support a more sustainable future. Jonathan holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Aldous has over 40 years business experience as a technology and software developer, project manager and mechanical engineer, including developing water and material recycling technology.
He developed SOHO custom PC database software and prior to that worked with Mannesmann Demag AG a multi-national German mechanical heavy engineering company.
Alison holds a Masters of Health Sciences and is passionate about the world of recycling. A former teacher, journalist and sexual health counselor she now dedicates her skills and energies to the Lasso concept and the circular economy.
She travels between Australia and the UK, ensuring Lasso is at the forefront of industry developments, promoting awareness and raising funds.
Nigel Taverner is an English businessman resident in the Bay Area. His experience includes seven years working in the packaging industry, fifteen years as a global management consultant with a focus on financial industries and several years as a Solutions Executive at IBM corp, specializing in new technologies. He has an MA (Economics) from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from Cranfield University and the University of Washington. He also qualified as a UX Designer at General Assembly.
After graduating with degrees in Arts and Law from The University of Sydney in 1976, James practised as a lawyer in Sydney Australia for 20 years at the Australian national law firm of Blake Dawson Waldron – now the international law firm Ashurst – including for 10 years as a partner, of which 3 years were as head of the banking and finance division of the Sydney office.
In 1995, he established his own firm specialising in commercial, entertainment and media law with clients over this period ranging from major television networks to well-known singers, writers and producers as well as general commercial clients.
James has extensive legal experience as a lawyer across banking, finance, media and entertainment. He has served as a board director on a number of companies and organisations including a listed Australian company which developed a new minerals processing technology and several major arts foundations.
Murray, a Chartered Civil Engineer, has over 40 years business experience largely in the multi-discipline energy industries. He spent a number of years in engineering consulting for offshore facilities before moving into corporate management roles.
He has held a number of company directorships and is currently managing director of an independent oil company. He has worked at senior management levels in private and publicly listed companies. With a sound engineering background, he also has extensive commercial experience in corporate and project areas including financing at project and corporate level.
