Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Snyder
Hi Mark, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with VerdeTerra began with my background as a mechanical engineer, where I spent years designing everything from rockets to supercars. While living in Italy, I found myself increasingly drawn toward creating meaningful solutions that blend elegant design with impactful science. This inspiration grew stronger after moving to Atlanta to work as a management consultant, where I recognized the need for better air purification in the many poorly ventilated corporate boardrooms I frequently visited.
I’m sure we’ve all experienced it, a long meeting where, despite our best intentions, concentration fades after a couple of hours. A quick break with fresh air helps temporarily, but returning to that stuffy room brings fatigue back within minutes. What if I told you this fatigue had more to do with the elevated CO2 levels in the room than the meeting itself? That’s the cognitive impact VerdeTerra aims to address.
This desire to create healthier, more beautiful living environments drove me to research and develop an innovative solution. Through my studies, I learned how profoundly indoor air quality affects our health, well-being, and overall quality of life. Recognizing this critical yet often overlooked issue led me to officially establish VerdeTerra in Atlanta in 2022.
At the start, I was already two years into research and development. By 2022, I faced a decision, should I pursue VerdeTerra full-time or balance it alongside my existing career? Having always believed in the value of taking calculated risks, I resigned from my management consulting role and committed fully to building VerdeTerra.
Bootstrapping, late nights, and the support of a fantastic network of friends eventually brought our first product to life: the Albero. Albero utilizes innovative micro-algae technology, naturally purifying indoor air, the very same algae that provide roughly 70% of Earth’s oxygen. Algae’s remarkable ability to convert carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen makes Albero an advanced, elegant solution for indoor air quality. Our flagship product, the Albero Foundation Series, is designed as a captivating “liquid tree,” blending luxury, innovation, and artistry to seamlessly enhance home interiors. We recently unveiled a Traditional Albero, combining timeless elegance with the cutting-edge technology featured in our Modern Albero design.
We officially launched Albero this February, offering only 100 exclusive build slots to our Foundation Series customers. Each Albero is uniquely tailored through personalized design consultations and material selections. As we fill our order book, our attention is turning toward future innovation.
We’re now developing the next generation of systems focused on the corporate environment. These upcoming solutions will significantly improve air quality for a broader audience while reducing HVAC energy consumption through an easy, retrofitted installation. We’re currently partnering with the EPA and Georgia Institute of Technology to validate the efficacy of this system scientifically, and we expect exciting developments soon.
Every milestone at VerdeTerra reinforces my belief that healthier home and office environments should always embody elegance, innovation, and thoughtful design. Our journey continues to be guided by our commitment to enhancing our customers’ everyday living experiences through scientific integrity and design excellence.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building VerdeTerra has not always been a smooth journey, it has come with its share of setbacks and challenges. One of the earliest and most significant obstacles was determining the right moment to fully commit. Balancing a demanding management consulting career with the intensive research and development required for VerdeTerra was incredibly challenging. Ultimately, I faced a pivotal choice: continue splitting my efforts or fully dedicating myself to the startup.
Financially, bootstrapping a startup posed its own unique struggles. Without initial outside funding, progress depended heavily on personal resources, long nights, and weekends spent tirelessly developing and refining prototypes in my garage. During these tough times, I leaned heavily on the invaluable support of friends and colleagues who generously offered expertise, feedback, and encouragement when resources and morale were stretched thin.
Launching a luxury product like Albero added another layer of complexity. Creating a sophisticated, design-driven product allowed little margin for error, demanding meticulous attention to every detail—from aesthetic appeal and material selection to functionality and scientific precision. Finding the perfect balance between elegance and efficacy involved continuous iteration and rigorous testing. While this proved demanding, successfully bringing a genuinely innovative and beautiful product to market made the effort deeply rewarding.
Through every setback, I’ve learned the importance of persistence and resilience. There were countless moments where I felt I had hit an insurmountable barrier, thinking this project might never move forward. However, I’ve learned that setbacks are not endpoints; instead, they provide critical guidance and direction. In the field of cleantech, this persistence is essential. While tremendous opportunities exist in this sector, achieving success requires determination, commitment, and the ability to transform challenges into meaningful lessons.
Every challenge we’ve faced has strengthened my belief in VerdeTerra’s mission and reinforced our vision. Embracing these obstacles as valuable learning opportunities has been crucial to our growth, shaping VerdeTerra into a resilient and innovative company dedicated to transforming indoor environments.
We’ve been impressed with VerdeTerra, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
VerdeTerra is an Atlanta-based technology and lifestyle brand redefining what it means to live well, starting with the air we breathe. Our work lives at the intersection of science, sustainability, and design, with a focus on creating healthier indoor environments through beautiful, functional innovation.
We’re best known for our flagship product, the Albero, a luxury indoor air purification system powered by living micro-algae. Albero isn’t just a purifier, it’s a “liquid tree” that naturally removes carbon dioxide from indoor air and releases fresh oxygen, just like the trees outside. But unlike traditional air filters, Albero is designed to be seen. It’s a sculptural centerpiece meant to elevate your space while quietly improving your health and well-being.
What makes VerdeTerra different is our fusion of design and science. We believe that wellness technology should be beautiful, personal, and experiential. Every Albero is made to order, with one-on-one design consultations to customize finishes and materials to match each client’s taste, whether modern, traditional, or somewhere in between.
We’re proud to be part of Atlanta’s growing ecosystem of startups and creatives. This city has given us the perfect backdrop to grow VerdeTerra. We launched the Albero Foundation Series this year with only 100 exclusive build slots, and the response has been incredible. It shows there’s a growing appetite for solutions that blends luxury, health, and cutting-edge science.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is creating things that have a real, positive impact on people’s lives, and doing it in a way that blends science, design, and purpose. There’s a unique kind of joy that comes from taking an idea that lived in your head for years, building it with your own hands, and then seeing someone experience it and say, “Wow, this changes how I feel in my own space.”
I’m especially happy when I see customers connect with the Albero, not just for what it does, but for what it represents. It’s not just about clean air; it’s about feeling better, thinking clearer, and living more intentionally. Knowing that something I created can contribute to someone’s health and well-being, while also adding beauty to their home, is deeply fulfilling.
And beyond the product, I find happiness in the process, working with a passionate team, overcoming obstacles, and being part of Atlanta’s vibrant community of innovators and dreamers. It’s the challenge, the craft, and the mission that keep me going every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vtalgae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verdeterraalgae/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verdeterra
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@verdeterraalgae
