Week 2:

MATERIAL STARTUPS:

1.Notpla

 Founded: 2015, London, UK

Founders: 
Pierre-Yves Paslier, Rodrigo García González

Elevator Pitch:
Notpla is developing biodegradable and home compostable packaging for food products and other materials.

Problem They Solve:
The majority of plastics (est 50%) are only used once- a huge problem given these single-use plastics are all created from fossil fuels. Notpla aims to combat this by using brown seaweed as a plastic replacement. This material grows quickly, doesn’t require extensive land, water or fertilizers, and does good for the oceans, making it a perfect sustainable replacement for single-use plastics.

Impact:
Notpla’s first major product was the Ooho, a seaweed-based sachet for juices, sauces, and condiments that is home-compostable and edible. They have also created water & grease-proof takeaway boxes that don’t rely on plastic linings made of oil or corn. They are in the process of making sachets for non-food products such as screws, or hardware. These will biodegrade within weeks when in contact with soil, moisture, or bacteria.

Amount Raised:
£5.4M

Interested in Notpla?
If you are considering using Notpla products for your next event or business, see their products and FAQ’s here

MATERIAL STARTUPS:

2.Mi Terro

Founded: 2018, City of Industry, CA

Founder:
Robert Luo

Elevator Pitch:
Mi Terro is the world’s first advanced material company that partners with food companies and farmers to create home compostable, single-use plastic-alternative packaging materials made from plant-based agricultural waste – this is a first-of-its-kind approach.

Problem They Solve:
In 2018, it was discovered that 16% of dairy products – 116m tonnes – is lost or discarded globally each year. “Retailers, distributors and consumers were found responsible for half of this waste, throwing away roughly 60m tonnes of dairy a year”. This comes at a huge cost to the planet when one factors in the land, water and feed that is required to grow the cattle that produce this milk. This concern is coupled with one of the biggest environmental issues of our time; our current dependency on plastic that causes damage during its production, and for years after.

Impact:
Mi Terro has developed 100% plant-based durable flexible packaging materials. Their films are home compostable, ocean degradable, and 3-5 times cheaper than other bio-based materials. They have also created a fiber made from milk waste. By working with farmers and food companies, they are able to upcycle surplus and inedible spoiled milk. Their proprietary patented technologies repurpose milk waste into a premium textile fiber that is soft and durable.

Interested in Mi Terro?
To find out more about their tees and technology, see here

FOODTECH STARTUPS:

3 RIND

Founded: 2017, New York, US

Founder: Matt Weiss

Elevator Pitch:
RIND is a snack brand focused on reducing food waste, and maximizing nutrition. This is done by ensuring fruit peels are used as a product and made to taste delicious.

Problem They Solve:
According to RIND, Americans waste nearly 40 million tons of food each year, with
Fruits and vegetables accounting for ~30-40% of this. Moreover, Fruit rinds contain, on average, 3-4 times more dietary fiber than peeled fruit. Edible peels also contain polyphenols which act as necessary antioxidants and micronutrients. 

Impact:
By leaving fruit rinds on their snacks, RIND calculates to have diverted over 100,000 pounds of food waste in 2020. Whilst doing this, they have produced snacks from 6 different fruits that are more nutritional than conventional dried fruit.

Interested in Rind?
RIND products are currently available across the US. To shop, see here

ENERGY STARTUPS:

4.Zeigo

Founded: 2018, London, UK

Founder: Juan Pablo Cerda 

Elevator Pitch:
Zeigo is a climate-tech platform enabling businesses to quickly, easily, and cost-effectively source impactful energy, accelerating the global transition to renewable energy. Since 2019, Zeigo has reduced the complexities surrounding renewable energy procurement as well as democratising access to truly renewable energy by making the process more efficient, more digital, and accessible to all companies. 

Problem They Solve:
In 2019, the average monthly energy consumption for commercial properties in the United States was 6,066 kilowatt-hours (kWh). For homes it came in at an average of 877 kWh per month. What this tells us is that businesses, which are responsible for large energy consumption & aim to achieve their decarbonization targets, need to ensure first and foremost that their energy is coming from the cleanest possible sources.

Impact:
The Zeigo platform supports a large network of renewable energy generators and suppliers that lets you find solutions for Corporate PPAs, Utility PPAs and Certificates, as well as gain access to the largest network of renewable energy developers and suppliers in one place. The platform shows forward market projection, helps run simple PPA tendering processes & more.

Funding Stage: Seed

Interested in Zeigo?
To view the full range of Zeigos offerings for buyers and generators, see here

SOFTWARE STARTUPS:

5.Nozama.green

Location: 2019, London, UK

Founder: André Vanyi-Robin

Elevator Pitch:
Nozama has created a digital platform and tools that track single-use plastics and CO2 from end to end of supply chains.

Problem They Solve:
In order to transition to a cleaner, sustainable future, companies need to be informed about where the flaws lie in their current systems and supply chains. Some of the biggest problem areas, single-use plastics and CO2 can be reduced if companies have data that is specific to their business, their hours, vehicles and staff.

Impact:
Nozama have developed a CO2 Tracker and an SUP (single-use plastic) tracker, both of which can be used on Sustainable Customer Profiles for each customer and stakeholder. These profiles centralize all sustainability data measurements, are blockchain ready, connect stakeholders, can be used across multiple industries, and can serve credits to generate sustainability-driven loyalty programs. The CO2 data they track is real-time reporting and analytics, monitor CO2 metrics by vehicle type, delivery and parcel, and set-up for CO2 emissions and saved CO2 (ex: e-vehicles). All of these features enable incentivized programs to be created that develop businesses that are transparent and calculated in their sustainability approach.

Amount They Raised: 
€300K

Interested in Nozama?
To learn more about Nozama or request a demo, see here