Wiener Mondesir Is Building a Better Way to Bike.
Early Life and Schooling
When Wiener Mondesir — the founder of Arevo — was born in 1969, mere weeks after men had just landed on the moon for the first time, commercial 3D printing might have sounded like something out of a science fiction novel. Remarkably, Mondesir now has built an entire career around this dynamic field — and Silicon Valley can’t wait to see what he will do next. After all, creating the world’s first 3D-printed carbon fiber bicycle is quite a feat. As a black founder with an extensive background in tech, Mondesir possesses a unique understanding of how the world works.
It was at the acclaimed Rochester Institute of Technology that Mondesir received his B.S. in computer engineering. At Northwestern University, he would refine his skill set and acquire the tools necessary to become a business leader at the Kellogg School of Management. Receiving his MBA, Mondesir demonstrated a rare combination — the scientist at heart who is also highly capable of leading a team to success. While many entrepreneurs and CEOs in his field launched their careers flush with startup cash and other backing, Mondesir cut his teeth as a software engineer and pulled himself up by the bootstraps to create something truly extraordinary.
Early Career
Mondesir’s early career is very indicative of a bright mind who wanted to learn the ropes and study the industry carefully before diving in. He built his foundation with massive amounts of technical knowledge, amplifying his value at the workplace. After working as a software engineer, Mondesir moved up into founding engineer positions, increasing his wealth of knowledge and laying the groundwork for the connections he would later need to start Arevo. As a senior manager and strategist, he truly cemented his reputation as a thought leader in the field; at that point, it was only a matter of time before he would branch out and create Arevo.
With Arevo, Mondesir was disrupting a business model that was, as he described it, a “very manual, dirty, and expensive non-recyclable process.” Mondesir saw a better way; he envisioned lightweight bikes that were created through the use of sustainable and inexpensive means — a machine that was both beautiful and perfectly functional.
Arevo
At every turn, Arevo has managed to surprise and impress the industry. Developing software that can take 3D geometry and generate the appropriate carbon fiber orientations to manufacture a bike, Arevo has perched itself on the precipice of what is truly possible in modern design. It’s a revolutionary way of thinking about composites, which isn’t surprising if one becomes familiar with Wiener Mondesir’s multidisciplinary background. An expert in a few different fields, Mondesir is the type of disruptor who is actually good for the industry. Even the name of Mondesir’s company speaks to his desire for societal change.
As the entrepreneur once said, “Arevo means a revolution. We have robots employed that are making carbon fibre structures out of carbon fibre.”
When it comes to processes and operations, Mondesir has met the extraordinary challenge of building everything from the ground up. Not unlike the NASA scientists who were celebrating the moon landing shortly before his birth, Mondesir has parlayed his natural curiosity about bettering the world into a dazzling career. Clearly, the fact that he has been very hands-on with all of his company’s processes has paid off significantly.
It is exceedingly rare to see a founder with as many patents as he has under his belt. Now partnering with highly esteemed businesses such as Mishima, Scotsman, and Superstrata, Arevo has become very well-known in its niche — and beyond. A man who imagined both the Aqua System and the Xplorator™ in great detail before he built them, Mondesir has created a team that is passionate about the tech side of the industry.
His trajectory shows that hard work, education, and passion can blend magnificently when someone possesses the skill and curiosity to push themselves to the next level. Wiener Mondesir is in the business of creating beautiful products that will stand the test of time — in a sustainable and exciting way. There are many people, both inside and outside of the industry, who see tremendous value in what he is accomplishing — and his work will live on to help provide cornerstones for other amazing tech projects in the future.
It’s easy to see why Wiener Mondesir is part of our Black Founders50 Series. Download the complete 2023 BBVA Founders50 list here.