Four reasons to apply for this circular economy startup award
Every startup likes winning awards, but is the, often time-consuming, application process really worth the effort? Yes – because winning awards and prizes can earn entrepreneurs more than just a trophy. If you do it right, you will receive valuable feedback from experts, honour and recognition for your business idea, and PR and publicity for your startup. Choose the award that best fits your idea and it can really boost your business. For circular economy startups we have the perfect match: The Green Alley Award is not just another startup award, but the only prize for business ideas answering one specific question: How can we use our resources more effectively? Take a look at the biggest advantages to participate:
Your contribution to saving our earth
The most important reason why a circular economy startup should apply for the Green Alley Award is that we think, your topic and the solution you are offering has relevance. When looking for startups, everyone is looking for the next unicorn, the next big thing that is worth billions, will disrupt another industry and change our lives. So are we – but not in terms of money but in terms of our precious natural resources. If your startup contributes to a circular economy in Europe, we are the ones to foster and promote your business idea to make it successful. We think the world needs more ideas like the eco packaging from Sulapac, winner of the 2017 Green Alley Award, whose ambitious aim is no less than saving our oceans from plastic pollution: “If we don’t change anything, we’ll soon have more plastic in the sea than fish.” We are excited to see how your idea will save our earth!
Every finalist wins
Once chosen for the finals there is no such thing as loosing! We offer every Green Alley Award finalist great networking and learning opportunities during our event in October in Berlin. In workshops they will meet European circular economy experts and startup mentors offering valuable advice as well as access to a great network and new business contacts. In the evening all finalists will get the opportunity to present their business ideas in a live pitch to an international audience. A new asset this year: all startups applying for the Green Alley Award will also have the chance to win the Seedmatch Crowd Award including the chance to start the perfect crowdfunding campaign. Past finalists appreciate these benefits: “At the Green Alley Award the startups take centre stage: in individual workshops you talk to CEOs and other high-ranking experts, who take their precious time just for you and your business idea. This is a great experience and gives you a feeling of being important to them”, says Suvi Haimi, CEO of Sulapac.
The family-like atmosphere
The Green Alley Award might be smaller in space and number of participants than many other startup events. But this relative smallness in numbers is balanced by a greatness in spirit and motivation of all people involved. It also comes with great advantages for the participating startups: At the Green Alley award finals there is no hierarchy or ranking of who is most important. Startups can directly meet with high-ranking professionals and talk face to face on the same level without any shyness or inhibition. We will give enough time and space to connect and talk to everyone on site and in the end of the day you might not only have made new business contacts but maybe even new friends. “What differentiates the Green Alley Award from other startup awards is its family-like atmosphere, confirms Suvi from Sulapac. “When you arrive at the event location it can happen that you directly bump into the CEO of Landbell Group and have a chat with him!”
Last but not least - the cash prize
Startup awards like the Green Alley Award are a good starting point to raise capital for your business without any strings attached. Wooing our jury does not come at the same prize as wooing venture capital or angel investors, who need legal documentation and are more interested in their own returns from the business. Instead, winning the Green Alley Award means 25,000 Euros cash, which can be directly invested in your business. This cash infusion might keep you and your startup going for another couple of months or even more and enable you to achieve the next milestone. Cash flow is definitely key, but with our trophy you even get more than money, as Suvi explains: “One reason to participate is the cash prize, which is with € 25,000 even more attractive this year. But much more important is the network! To meet with other people who have the same vision of a circular economy without resources being wasted, is priceless.”
Are you an entrepreneur or startup in the green, recycling or circular economy? Apply until 1st July and grab your chance to save our earth with your great green business idea!