SharpEdge Shop: the heart of the kitchen

“When we were kids, my mum didn’t let us play with knives. I guess that’s where it all started…”  says Luka Grmovšek, founder of the SharpEdge Shop. "I initially started this company as a fun project, but then the demand for quality kitchen products started to rise. We’ve seen growth of over 30% this year, and financing that growth is a challenge."

SharpEdge – or OsterRob, as it is known in Slovenia – embodies the notion of local business making its mark on the global stage. Specialising in high-quality Japanese kitchen knives, it began as Luka’s passion project. A keen cooking enthusiast, he purchased his first Japanese knife online 15 years ago, unable to find one that met his expectations locally. Whenever he invited people over, the knives often became the main topic of conversation. With time, a passion for the high quality of Japanese knives turned into a business idea. “It started as a one-man-band,” he explains. “But things have changed…” Today, the company’s numerous websites offer kitchen products crafted by Japanese blacksmiths where the trade has been passed down for generations, resulting in knives made from superior materials by lifelong artisans.

Across Slovenia – much like most of Europe – there’s a sort of revolution going on in fine-dining. “Things are definitely changing. There used to be one top restaurant and now there are more than fifteen. Chefs have become celebrities. People in middle age start to cook more, make more complicated dishes…cooking parties, cooking classes…it’s like a trend,” Luka says. This has boosted the company’s growth, which in turn has brought new challenges: “You need stock to be able to manage demand, but building up stock is expensive,” Luka adds. “Sourcing Japanese knives for Slovenia is a lengthy process, and all the money earned last year has gone into expanding stock. Not much left for marketing…” In order to finance this growth, Luka sought an EU-guaranteed loan through Unicredit, backed by the EIF, which allowed him to press ahead with his plans, investing in marketing with the aim of expanding into new markets, offering customisation with engravings and wooden sheaths, and developing knives tailored to specific foods, like a prosciutto-cutting knife.

“I’m lucky to have a great team – many of them are my family and close friends. We all know what we’re working towards,” smiles Luka. What started as a hobby has now turned into a business.