Island of São Miguel | Physical incubation of companies

Design and hand carving of utensils from local invasive species or driftwood

Born in Transylvania, living in the Azores since 2013. Graphic designer by training, but since childhood has had an interest in working with wood. Growing up in a mountainous region, he met woodworking while camping and on hikes, where people usually make the objects they need out of wood with a pocket knife (walking sticks, skewers, spatulas, etc).

He designs and carves various kitchen utensils using wood from invasive species that occur in the Azores or hardwoods that the ocean brings to the shore during storms, thus giving new life to wood that would rot in the woods, be burnt as firewood or end up in a landfill.

Using only hand tools and elbow grease he shapes his utensils based on his own designs that frequently incorporate the natural shape of the wood, making each piece unique as a result. His goal is to create practical, comfortable utensils that are also pleasing to the eye.

Zsombi´s creations are for the person who appreciates unique design, skill, hard work and wants to own something that truly came from the Azores.

Visit his Instagram page here.

Incubation period: October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2022