Green startup ‘dream team’ set for acceleration

● Cohort arrives at innovation hub to start Eubacked schemes

0 Brian Miller and Monika Tomecka of ufraction8, which is among the ventures taking part A group of start-ups dubbed Scotland’s “new low-carbon dream team” have moved into the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) as they prepare to start high-profile Eu-funded support programmes.

The group of 14 “cuttingedge” ventures include Alterwaste, which has created an alternative to plastic with a new, fully compostable material made from waste eggshells, and Kasey Hou’s offering aiming to cut electronic waste by creating products designed for repair.

The start-ups are part of the Climate-kic Accelerator & Greenhouse schemes, which provide funding and support to translate their inventions into business plans. The start-ups have been given the chance to learn about the programme they will be embarking on as well as look around their new office and meet some of the experts who will work with them.

ECCI said it brought Climate-kic to Scotland for the first time ever last year and in its first 12 months helped 17 start-ups scoop 14 awards, more than £400,000 in investment, and save the equivalent of more than 260,000 tonnes of carbon in a year.

Ed Craig, head of enterprise and innovation at ECCI, said its target “is to create a vibrant zero carbon future, so it’s hugely exciting to welcome this latest batch of low carbon entrepreneurs with equally big ideas onto our successful accelerator programmes”.

He added: “Scotland has a world-leading approach to tackling climate change, and we’re looking forward to being able to offer our home-grown climate innovators the money and expertise to take on growing global markets.”

ECCI has a new base in Hong Kongalongsideitshubinedinburgh, and says it unites people from business, research, communities and governments “to turn good low-carbon ideas into reality”.

Martina Zupan, founder and chief executive of Alterwaste, said: “Professional support and additional finance available inside the low-carbon community will help us develop our business further and speed up our growth to reach our goal of reducing carbon footprint sooner.”