Interview: Tipps and Insights from our Last Winner
A happy winner and an impressed jury – memories of the last Award are still fresh. But how has our winner traceless materials been since then and what new developments have pushed their business to the next level? Find out in our interview with Anne Lamp, CEO and co-founder of traceless materials! She might also have some great tips for all who are looking to be the next Green Alley Award winner!
Anne, you won the Green Alley Award 2021! How did you feel when you were announced as the winner? Was it a tough competition?
I felt very very honored of course, the whole traceless’ team has worked very hard over the last year and winning a prize like this shows us we are on the right path! It is a huge motivation for us to keep doing what we are doing. The competition was though indeed - there are so many start-ups with great, innovative ideas. I think we can all take them as an example, it only motivates me more to know we are in this together, and all trying our best to do our part.
How did you prepare for the pitch and the Jury questions?
The answer may be boring, but I think the best way to prepare for a pitch is to rehearse and rehearse and rehearse. Regarding the questions, Johanna (co-founder) and me looked into all different aspects of traceless’ and questioned each other about things – this way we prepared ourselves as good as possible.
With the Award you received a prize money of 25.000 Euros. What are you going to do with the money? How will you invest it?
We will use the prize money to make the traceless brand more known and further inform and educate people about the holistically sustainable alternative material solutions to plastic. We think it is important to tell the world about our and other solutions out there. It will give people hope and it will make them excited to join us on the journey to all together become a part of the solution, and not the pollution!
What are your plans for the rest of the year? Where do you see your startup in one year from now?
We are currently working on getting our first production plant ready, scaling up our production to produce enough material for first market pilots by the beginning of next year. This means our main focus right now is the optimization of our products and the commissioning of our pilot plant. We are busy making sure everything is in order for this big day! Not only by optimizing our prototypes, but also by preparing everything regarding the pilot plant. So, in one year I hope to have our pilot plant up and running like clockwork, to hereby make the biggest possible impact!
You just partnered up with OTTO – a great success! In your opinion, what are the benefits of a cooperation between startups and such big players – for both sides?
We are beyond grateful a company like OTTO has shown interest and support in us from the very beginning. Where they give us the security and the opportunity, we give them the innovation. This perfectly shows that, together, you can achieve more than alone!
What is your tip for other startups who would like to apply for the next Green Alley Award?
Don’t be afraid to try or to fail but give it your best and see whatever the result will be. Take your time for the application process and remember to keep going, also when the outcome is different than you hoped for.