Industry Leaders: An Interview with Derek Mak of 99Bridges

In the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability and circular economy, 99Bridges has emerged as a leader in reshaping how businesses and consumers interact with reusable systems. At the helm of this innovation is Derek Mak, whose journey in leadership, technology, and sustainability has propelled 99Bridges to the forefront of the industry. In this exclusive interview, Derek shares insights into his professional journey, the competitive edge of 99Bridges, and his vision for the future of sustainable solutions.

Your Story: Every leader has a unique journey. Could you share a bit about your background, current role, and what moments shaped your career into what it is today?

Derek: Leadership is not something that emerges suddenly—it’s a gradual evolution. My journey has been a long path marked by observation, experimentation, and learning from every experience, whether successful or not. This process of continuous learning and reflection has been crucial in shaping my worldview and decision-making framework.

From my earliest days as a teenager, I was driven by a curiosity to understand how things work and how they can be improved. This curiosity led me to various roles, where I not only honed my skills but also developed a deeper appreciation for the challenges and complexities of our modern world. Each step was a building block, adding to my understanding and refining my approach to leadership and innovation.

At 99Bridges, this iterative learning process became central to our mission. We didn’t just want to create another company; we aimed to spearhead a shift towards a more sustainable future. Our approach to the circular economy and our work with the MOSAIC platform have been deeply influenced by a philosophy of constant learning and adaptation. Winning the Netty Award is not just a recognition of our past achievements but a testament to a culture that embraces evolution and continuous improvement.

Reflecting on what I have learned over the years, I continuously refine my frame of view. This ongoing process shapes my decision-making and helps me steer our company not just towards growth, but towards making a meaningful, positive impact on the environment and society.

Competitive Advantage: In a competitive field, what makes you and/or your company stand out? What unique qualities or approaches have contributed to your success?

Derek: In a sector as dynamic and essential as sustainability, standing out requires not just innovative solutions, but also a deep commitment to the values driving those innovations. At 99Bridges, what sets us apart is our holistic approach to enabling the transition to reusables. We’re not just creating products; we are crafting comprehensive systems that facilitate a shift in consumer behavior and industry practices towards a circular economy.

Our MOSAIC platform exemplifies this. It’s not merely a technical solution; it integrates user-centric design with robust backend analytics to make reusable systems not only possible but preferable. The platform’s flexibility across different reusable asset types—from food containers to retail bags—combined with a robust integration capability with payment systems and data analytics, allows us to offer tailor-made solutions that fit the specific needs of cities, businesses, and end-users.

Moreover, our commitment to scalability through specialization sets us apart. While many companies focus on broad solutions, we specialize in creating highly efficient, customized systems that are scalable. This focus on specialization allows us to provide unparalleled expertise and innovation in our field.

Our success also stems from our commitment to continuous learning and adaptation—a core philosophy of our leadership. We actively seek feedback and learn from each deployment, which helps us not only improve but also innovate with purpose. This dedication to growth and adaptability has been key in not just meeting but anticipating the needs of our customers and the market.

Lastly, the recognition we’ve received, such as the Netty Award, validates our approach and fuels our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable practices.

Proudest Achievements: Is there a particular project or piece of work that you’re especially proud of? What made it stand out, and what impact did it have?

Derek: Every project at 99Bridges has been a stepping stone, teaching us invaluable lessons about sustainability, technology, and community engagement. Initially, our focus was on facilitating reusable retail bags, which garnered significant attention with our win in the Beyond the Bag Challenge. This early success was crucial, but it was just the beginning.

As we expanded our solutions to include a wider range of reusable items like bottles and cups, we also enhanced our technological backbone. Our MOSAIC platform evolved into a robust system that integrates software, hardware, and strategic partnerships, enabling us to manage the entire lifecycle of reusable assets comprehensively.

Today, our capabilities allow us to undertake ambitious city-scale projects, which we are excited to launch this year. It is every city’s dream to integrate reuse systems effectively, and now, we have the technology and the expertise to make this a reality. Our platform can handle the complexities of large-scale implementations, turning the ideal of urban sustainability into practical, actionable projects.

This year is particularly pivotal for us as we embark on these city-wide deployments. The ability to deliver such extensive systems is not just a testament to our technological advancement but also a commitment to our vision of a circular economy. We are not just participants in this movement; we are leaders, ready to help cities around the world reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability at a new scale.

Effective Tools and Tactics: What tools, strategies, or tactics have been most effective for your business in achieving its goals?

Derek: At 99Bridges, our success hinges on a combination of advanced technology integration, strategic partnerships, and a deep focus on customer needs. Three core strategies have been particularly effective in helping us achieve our goals:

1. Advanced Technology Integration: Our MOSAIC platform utilizes machine learning, artificial intelligence, IoT, computer vision, and comprehensive data analytics to enhance efficiency and user experience, enabling precise tracking and scalable reusable systems.
2. Strategic Partnerships: We believe in specialization to achieve scale. By collaborating with expert organizations, we ensure each component of our system is managed by specialists, enabling seamless and scalable integration.
3. Customer-Centric Approach: We actively engage with users—from consumers to service operators—to continuously refine our solutions, ensuring they remain practical, user-friendly, and aligned with market needs.

These strategies, supported by a dedicated team, have propelled 99Bridges forward. As we expand into more complex, city-scale projects, these foundational tactics will continue to guide our efforts and ensure that we remain at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices globally.

Future Vision: As 2025 approaches, what trends or challenges do you foresee for your industry? How is your company planning accordingly?

Derek: A major challenge in advancing sustainability, particularly in the reuse sector, is the ‘chicken and egg’ dilemma—consumers hesitate to adopt reusable systems without widespread acceptance, while businesses are reluctant to invest without clear evidence of adoption.

At 99Bridges, we believe the solution lies in a collective approach. Success in making reuse systems the norm requires synchronized action among governments, businesses, and consumers. Our strategy is to facilitate this alignment, ensuring broad participation across stakeholders. While we cannot share specific strategies due to confidentiality, our approach is holistic and designed to drive widespread change in the industry.

Looking Forward

Derek Mak and 99Bridges are at the forefront of sustainable innovation, tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the circular economy. Through technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to continuous improvement, 99Bridges is paving the way for a more sustainable future. As 2025 approaches, the company remains steadfast in its mission to drive large-scale adoption of reusable systems, making a lasting impact on the environment and society.