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3D Home Printing for the Developing World – Alexandria Lafci and Brett Hagler of New Story Charity
37 segments available
Alexandria Lafci - https://twitter.com/laughsee - and Brett Hagler - https://twitter.com/bretthagler - are cofounders of New Story Charity - https://newstorycharity.org/ New Story Charity builds homes and communities in the developing world. They were part of the Summer 2015 YC batch. They just 3d printed their first home in Austin, Texas. You can read more at - https://3DHome.org
Segments Timeline
Building Homes in the Developing World
Alexandria Lafci and Brett Hagler introduce New Story Charity, a nonprofit focused on building homes and communities in the developing world, particularly in Haiti and Latin America. They explain their approach of working with local governments to design and construct homes, emphasizing the importance of land ownership as a pathway out of poverty.
"how about we start with you guys explaining what you do and then we'll go back in time and talk about like how you ended up doing YC and all the rest of it also sure so we're nonprofit one of the firs..."
The Impact of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake
Brett shares his transformative experience visiting Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, where he witnessed the dire living conditions of families still residing in tents years later. He highlights the critical need for shelter and how this experience motivated him to seek solutions for housing instability.
"ownership is so crucial as a path out of poverty mm-hmm and were you guys working on nonprofits before or did you just get excited about this idea yeah it was I definitely was not yeah probably last t..."
Addressing Skepticism in Nonprofits
Brett discusses the skepticism many donors have regarding the effectiveness and transparency of nonprofit organizations. He explains how this skepticism led them to create a more accountable and transparent model for New Story Charity, ensuring that donor contributions directly impact the families they aim to help.
"like little kit and her you know three little girls are living in a tent with no protection from intruders from storms from anything and you kind of just go back to like first principles Maslow's hier..."
The Challenge of Quality in Housing Solutions
Alexandria and Brett discuss the varying quality of housing solutions provided by different organizations. They emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring that funds are used effectively to build quality homes, citing examples of organizations that have failed to deliver on their promises.
"then teamed up with Alexandria or other co-founder Matthew and like the early catalyst was how do we take those pain points that we know donors have right like our end user reverse engineer a new expe..."
Personal Journeys into International Development
Alexandria shares her background in international development and her passion for addressing poverty. She recounts her experiences with Teach for America and how witnessing housing instability among her students deepened her commitment to solving housing issues in Haiti.
"that are being built it's it's dark you have some good quality stuff but a lot of it leans towards you know fairly subpar which is part of the problem we're trying to solve yeah so like one example an..."
Understanding the Complexities of Housing Initiatives
Brett explains the complexities faced by large humanitarian organizations in building homes post-disaster. He highlights the challenges of securing land and maintaining quality control, which often leads to a shift in focus away from housing solutions.
"and unfortunately about a third of my students were homeless for either all or part of the year and through the lens of those students I got to see that when you have housing instability your attendan..."
Partnering with Local Experts
Brett emphasizes the importance of partnering with local organizations and experts to navigate the challenges of building homes in Haiti. He discusses how local knowledge is crucial for success and how it informs their approach to community development.
"and you know focused on things that were important a little easier to do etc and so I think that you know highlights one of the core reasons why we've been successful is because we value truly partner..."
Creating a Crowdfunding Model
Brett and Alexandria outline their initial strategy for New Story Charity, which included creating a crowdfunding platform to connect donors directly with families in need. They discuss how this model ensures that 100% of donations go towards building homes and how they maintain accountability through video updates.
"so you meet and you're like okay we're gonna work on housing specifically in Haiti at this point yeah does that mean like you take a trip and try and find contractors and build one on your own do you ..."
Launching the MVP and Gaining Traction
The co-founders share their experience of launching their crowdfunding model without initial funding or engineering support. They describe how they creatively staged their platform to attract donations and successfully raised over $100,000 in a short period, allowing them to build their first homes.
"and then so we had the idea and then now getting into MVP mode mm-hmm we were super young we were 24 we had you know really no capital of our own and so we had the idea of the donors I was really thre..."
The Importance of User Experience
Brett discusses the significance of creating a user-friendly experience for donors and families. He explains how their approach to transparency and direct communication with donors has been key to their success and how it fosters trust in their organization.
"it was we didn't have an engineer at the time actually and we didn't have any money so so we may I'm gonna give a plug to uh to web flow is web fluid yeah yeah so um other co-founder Matthew his nickn..."
Navigating Nonprofit Regulations
Alexandria and Brett talk about the challenges of establishing New Story Charity as a nonprofit organization. They share insights into the regulatory process and how they managed to operate effectively while awaiting formal nonprofit status.
"we still hadn't and then we were like okay well we're gonna still prove them he and will when the homes are built will just like good in ourselves and do the videos yeah and so we actually I think it'..."
Setting Audacious Goals
The co-founders share their experience during Y Combinator, where they were challenged to set ambitious goals for home funding. They recount how they transformed a 12-month goal into a 3-month target, leading to the '100 homes in 100 days' initiative, which taught them the value of thinking big and executing effectively.
"then after that we go okay and where you set up as a non-profit at the time or you just ran the money through yeah oh you saw Wow know what yeah not immediately it just takes some time it's actually a..."
Data-Driven Decision Making
Brett and Alexandria explain the importance of data in their operations, focusing on the impact of homes on families' lives. They highlight how collecting and analyzing data helps them improve their services and ensure that their homes provide real benefits, such as increased sleep and overall well-being.
"3-month goal right so then we launched this a hundred homes in a hundred days and I think a funny story is that we agreed to it right cuz you know where NYC like we can't say no and we hang up the pho..."
Building Communities, Not Just Homes
The conversation shifts to the broader vision of New Story Charity, which aims to create entire communities rather than just individual homes. They discuss the importance of community planning and how their approach fosters entrepreneurship and social cohesion, ultimately leading to sustainable development.
"the beginning and then there's been a lot of other stages where we've apply of course that same principle so an anecdote that I'll give is you know YC ended the summer of 2015 we had our annual planni..."
The Role of Transparency in Nonprofits
Alexandria and Brett address the need for transparency in nonprofit operations, particularly regarding funding and impact. They share how their first hire focused on impact data management to ensure accountability and improve decision-making, emphasizing that data should drive organizational strategies.
"achievable for a large company so that's how we that's how easy yeah and it's very high impact seem intuitively and something else that seemed pretty unachievable last year or pretty audacious like ju..."
Transformative Power of Shelter
The co-founders discuss the profound impact that stable housing has on families, including improved sleep and health outcomes. They illustrate how basic shelter can dramatically change lives, highlighting the importance of their mission to provide safe and secure homes for those in need.
"actually better than what people were in before what if those homes are crumbling right yeah so the impact like what is the change in people's lives once they move into the home is actually what matte..."
Innovating Through 3D Printing
Brett and Alexandria explain their motivation to explore 3D printing as a solution to housing challenges. They discuss the potential of this technology to build homes faster and more affordably, while maintaining quality, and their vision of sharing these innovations with other organizations to address global housing inequality.
"shelter can provide absolutely you know we're also not just building homes right we're building entire communities right so these are these kind of like micro economies you see entrepreneurship that p..."
Challenges in the Construction Industry
The conversation delves into the construction industry's stagnation and lack of innovation over the decades. Alexandria highlights the need for new technologies like 3D printing to disrupt traditional methods and improve efficiency in building homes, addressing the urgent need for affordable housing solutions.
"business better not just like show the data on the site not just her fundraising unfortunately a lot of nonprofits you know they start collecting data because they have to because they're not going to..."
The Technology Behind 3D Home Printing
Alexandria clarifies the unique aspects of their 3D printing technology, which uses cement instead of plastic. She describes how the printing process creates a strong, continuous structure, reducing the potential for errors compared to traditional construction methods, and highlights the environmental benefits of this nearly zero-waste approach.
"been passable wearing it right for the interruption was not a lot of incentives by the big players to invest in R&D and invest in changing the way that things are are done and so you know long story s..."
Building the First 3D Printed Home
Brett shares the journey of creating their first 3D printed home in Austin, Texas, including the challenges of developing the printing machine and the successful completion of the project. He highlights the strength of the printed structure, which exceeded expectations and passed strict housing codes.
"that so layer by layer you are creating a you know complete thermal envelope you're creating an incredibly durable structure think about the cement locks that I mentioned right you know that's many hu..."
Cost and Speed Benefits of 3D Printing
The co-founders discuss the potential cost reductions and speed improvements that 3D home printing can offer. They project that the cost of homes could decrease significantly over time, and the construction time could be reduced to under 24 hours, all while maintaining or improving quality.
"actually had the funding to to fund the R&D efforts of this right so we had to make the 3d home printing machine which is I think the largest machine in the country right now I'm pretty sure 3d home p..."
Customization and Local Adaptation
Alexandria explains how the design of 3D printed homes can be customized to meet the needs of different communities. She emphasizes the importance of local input in the design process and how the technology allows for more flexible and innovative architectural solutions.
"stronger more durable zero waste etc so when you when you talk about these numbers like 6500 now 3,000 later yeah is that all in that includes labor everything per unit yeah okay and so I saw that the..."
Innovative Plumbing and Electrical Solutions
Brett describes the innovative plumbing and electrical systems integrated into the 3D printed homes. The design allows for efficient installation and customization, enabling them to better serve the needs of families in various contexts, including those with disabilities.
"essentially the same how does the plumbing work and electrical yeah so this is a bit hard to explain without seeing the video but the the printer is printing kind of like let's think of it as like two..."
Bringing Technology to Emerging Markets
The co-founders express their excitement about using 3D printing technology to address housing needs in emerging markets. They highlight the potential for this technology to transform lives and communities by providing affordable, durable homes to those who need them most.
"straight lines right how do you get a curved window but yeah yeah and kind of the design thing is important because when you look at social housing developments now yeah whether you have two kids or e..."
Collaborative Innovation for Housing Solutions
Alexandria and Brett discuss the importance of collaboration and innovation in tackling the global housing crisis. They emphasize the need for more organizations to invest in research and development to create effective solutions for various social issues, including housing.
"communities and societies and countries so you know we feel like this is kind of one step what we're doing with construction to like fast forward these technologies to the places that need it and in e..."
The Power of Networking and Partnerships
Brett shares insights on how networking and building partnerships were crucial in developing their 3D printing initiative. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to engage with others in their field to uncover opportunities and foster collaboration for impactful projects.
"everybody and then getting adoption from all of those partners I don't do it I think you you hit that and tears I think you're asking about icon the icon partnership so I think this is a good lesson a..."
From Experimentation to Action
In this segment, Lafci contrasts the experimental nature of many 3D printing projects with New Story's actionable approach. She emphasizes their goal to produce homes that families can live in within a year, showcasing the urgency of addressing housing issues with innovative technology.
"know we're not I think there's a lot of if you look at even new stories video all right if you look at news stories three no shadows what I'm saying if you look at the video the suggested videos after..."
Designing for Real-World Challenges
Lafci explains the specific design constraints they imposed on the 3D printer to ensure it functions effectively in challenging environments. She highlights the need for the printer to operate under various conditions, making it suitable for remote areas. This segment illustrates the practical considerations necessary for implementing new technology in developing regions.
"and so so they very much agreed with us they believe that you know that the technology is ready today so the partnership is made a ton of sense so for other nonprofits how does it work on the financia..."
Calculated Risks in Innovation
Lafci shares the decision-making process behind investing in 3D home printing technology. She discusses the calculated risks involved and the potential for significant impact on families in need of shelter. This segment emphasizes the importance of weighing risks against the potential for transformative change in housing.
"kind yeah and this has all happened in less than a year like we had an i/o we're at one you know a team we do these fun quarterly summits every year we go place and we actually have one night at dinne..."
Overcoming Skepticism
Lafci addresses the skepticism surrounding 3D home printing, particularly in communities unfamiliar with the technology. She discusses the need for education and reassurance to gain acceptance from families and local authorities. This segment highlights the challenges of introducing innovative solutions in traditional settings.
"decision yeah yeah what's the hardest thing you see coming down the road like doing it at larger scale what's gonna be challenging everything there's a lot you know I hads always like on the ground be..."
Turning Crazy Ideas into Reality
Lafci reflects on the initial skepticism about their 3D printing project and how they turned it into a reality within a year. She emphasizes the importance of clarity in goals and the power of teamwork in achieving ambitious objectives. This segment inspires viewers to pursue seemingly impossible ideas.
"and so while we know that it's you know incredibly safe and durable etc there's gonna be a lot of kind of just education and talking to people and you know getting their minds around it by they I mean..."
Building a Strong Team
Lafci and Hagler discuss the critical role of their team in the success of their 3D printing initiative. They highlight the importance of hiring the right people and fostering a strong organizational culture. This segment underscores how a dedicated team can drive innovation and achieve impactful results.
"hmm and I think when you're like super crystal clear on what your goals are that's just incredibly powerful in order to make it happen yeah so what percentage of the team was working on this because l..."
Fundraising for Innovation
Lafci and Hagler share insights on fundraising for their innovative housing project. They discuss the challenges nonprofits face in securing funding and the importance of communicating the potential impact of their work. This segment provides valuable advice for other organizations looking to fund innovative solutions.
"yeah well it's so easy to take your eye off the ball right because I mean as by nature she's a shiny object is like the reality is it yes it is it's a shiny object and we saw that in our launch two we..."
The Importance of Relationships
In this final segment, Lafci emphasizes the significance of building relationships with advisors, donors, and the community. She discusses how genuine connections can enhance support for their mission and foster a sense of family within the organization. This segment highlights the relational aspect of nonprofit work and its impact on success.
"side what other advice you have for nonprofits that are going through YC or just watching this and just curious about you in terms of like the fundraising which I know it can be really challenging for..."
Creative Fundraising Strategies
Brett Hagler discusses innovative approaches to fundraising and gaining attention from influential people. He shares examples of creative outreach methods, such as sending personalized Lego kits and custom invitations, to engage potential supporters. The segment underscores the need for nonprofits to think outside the box to attract attention and support for their impactful work.
"just like genuine relationship building is key and then for nonprofits I think for for profits too but yeah at the end of the day none of that matters if what you're doing on the ground is not actuall..."
Building Bold Ideas
Lafci and Hagler talk about the importance of having bold ideas to attract like-minded individuals and resources. They emphasize that audacious concepts can draw in talented people willing to invest their time and skills. The segment highlights the significance of community and collaboration in achieving ambitious goals, especially in the nonprofit sector.
"like directly to somebody right like we just try to think really creatively of how we get these people's attention because if they could just give us 10 or 15 minutes of their time we know that our st..."
The Role of Community in Nonprofits
In this concluding segment, Lafci reflects on the value of having a supportive community of founders and cheerleaders. She discusses how strong relationships and shared experiences can empower individuals in their journeys. The conversation also touches on the respect for the Y Combinator community's efforts to support nonprofits in solving significant global challenges.
"have yeah yeah and that's great advice any closing words of wisdom for people hmm Wow co-founder is out there I mean our co-founder relationship I think everything starts there and and before you can ..."