Maxim Kaplevich

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Maxim Kaplevich is a tech entrepreneur and engineer who is the founder and CEO of Sparklo, a cleantech company that designs, manufactures, and deploys AI-powered reverse vending machines to collect plastic bottles and aluminum cans for recycling.^[1]

Maxim Kaplevich was born in Moscow, Russia. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Lomonosov Moscow State University.^[2]

After university, Kaplevich opened a mobile software development studio, Junto, based in the U.S.^[3][4][5]

In 2022, Kaplevich founded Sparklo with headquarters in the UAE with a production facility in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone.^[6] Kaplevich's idea was to create collection infrastructure that prevents plastic from ending up in the environment. Sparklo designed Sparklomat, an AI-based reverse vending machine that accepts plastic and aluminum cans for further recycling.^[7] The company also created the Sparklo Rewards Club, Sparklo’s mobile app that allows users to earn points for recycling, which can be redeemed for discounts, offers, or other benefits.^[7] By late 2023, Sparklo was operating in ten countries with 280 machines in the UAE alone, having collected more than 95 million recyclables in the MENA region from over 350,000 users.^[8] Under Maxim’s leadership, the company has formed partnerships with public bodies and private industry-leading corporations, including Dubai Municipality, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, Carrefour, ADNOC Distribution, LuLu Hypermarket, Mai Dubai, Coca-Cola Middle East, Accor, Dulsco, Imdaad, BEEAH, among others.^[9] In June 2024, Sparklo formed a partnership with Central retail in Vietnam, to install RVMs in the retail and supermarkets.^[10] In mid-2024, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi]] reported that its bottle-return program with Sparklo had collected over 23 million items avoiding over 3.5 million kg of CO₂ emissions.^[11][12]

In 2021, Kaplevich was included in Forbes's "30 Under 30" list in the Social Practices category.^[5] In 2023, he was named to the Forbes Middle East "30 Under 30" list in the Social Impact category.^[9] Named a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum.