The Scotsman

Eco start-up smashes fundraisin­g target

- By EMMA NEWLANDS

Anedinburg­h-basedecost­artup app has smashed its crowdfund target in just a few hours, saying this proves that even as the UK battles coronaviru­s, “we haven’t forgotten the longer-term climate change crisis”.

Pawprint, which says it is one of the most “globally impactful” start-ups, said that after launching the fundraiser on Crowdcube on Tuesday, it had beaten its original £100,000 goal in six hours, attracting more than 200 new investors.

Founder and chief executive

Christian Arno said: “We very nearly postponed this crowdfund, as we, like everyone else, became immersed in the coronaviru­s fight. But, when we checked with people who’d shown an interest in investing, their overwhelmi­ng feeling was that they want us to press on and do our bit to fight another global threat.

“The coronaviru­s is the UK’S most pressing crisis, but many of us have been impressed witnessing how everyone is pulling together to tackle it. The impact our changed behaviours have so quickly had on the environmen­t also persuaded us that now is the right time to push on with the climate change fight. And, judging by the crowdfund response, others agree.”

Crowdcube co-founder Luke Lang said: “It’s no surprise to me that Pawprint, with its inspiring vision to empower people to fight climate change, has raced into overfundin­g so quickly. People love to back innovative, ambitious businesses who are on a mission to make a difference and Pawprint certainly [is that].”

The crowdfunde­r remains open for investment­s of between £10 and £15,000.

 ??  ?? 0 Arno: ‘right time to keep fighting climate change’
0 Arno: ‘right time to keep fighting climate change’

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