Monthly update from our startups
The circular economy is a central building block in tackling the climate crisis. Whether it is reducing the use of primary raw materials or an increase of recycling rates through new technologies – every idea counts! The Green Alley Award is here to foster and promote a variety of new business ideas in this field. Every month, we open the stage to present our former finalists and winners – the stars of a circular economy in Europe!
Goes to the Biochar Summit
(2021 Green Alley Award Finalist)
Carbonauten has great news to share! Our Green Alley Award 2021 Finalist participated in the Biochar Summit of the European Biochar Industry Consortium (EBI) in Helsingborg, an important environmental city. This event is addressed to anyone who is interested in biochar and pyrolysis: four days of networking and intensive discussions about the future of biochar and biogenic carbons. International speakers, interactive discussion formats and session topics ranging from agriculture and carbon removals over policy to high-tech provided a framework to learn about, define and shape the future of PyCCS/biochar as an available and scalable solution to mitigate climate change.
Joins Google program
(2016 Green Alley Award Winner)
Green City Solutions, our Green Alley Award 2016 Winner, was selected to participate in the Google “Startups for Sustainable Development” program as they have developed the first bio-active air refresher based on an intelligent connection of nature and IoT-technology. This program aims to help scale their business through intensively work with Google´s mentors and product experts: in this way startups are supported in the global ecosystem of impact-focused startups, can use UN’s 17 SDGs as the framework for measuring impact and the program is not time-bound, so as to support startups in their mission for long-term impact at scale. this programme involves 300+ startups from all around the world.
Receives funding for R&D project
(2021 Green Alley Award Finalist)
Mimica, our Green Alley Award 2021 Finalist, announced on their social media that they have been awarded funding for an R&D project from the UK Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF), administered on behalf of Defra by Cefas. This exciting news follows the successful feasibility study that was completed by Mimica and Hilton Seafood, funded by SIF: the study showed that Bump Tag can be used to extend the shelf life of three top seafood categories in the UK; salmon, cod and prawns - by up to 6 days when kept well chilled. Their estimations showed that by using Bump there would be a decrease of avoidable UK seafood household waste by up to 31%, saving 9,000 tonnes of edible seafood. We wish great success to the team.
To check their latest news click here
REFURBED new product launch in market
(2018 Green Alley Award Finalist)
Refurbed, our Green Alley Award 2018 Finalist, has two important news to share. The first concerns their new product launch in the market: called “Mitte Home” is a smart water maker that turns tap water into filtered, mineralised and carbonated water at touch of a button. The cartridge delivers multiple taste profiles and two choices for carbonation: medium or sparkling. Worth of noting: their App supports drinking and reminds on the cartridge status. The second important news: Refurbed received the German Customer Award. Intended to provide orientation for consumers, as awards are only given to companies that convince their customers across the board. The award is based on customer surveys conducted by the German Institute for Service Quality.
SULAPAC secured funding of EUR 6 million
(2017 Green Alley Award Winner)
Sulapac, our Green Alley Award 2017 Winner, received an important funding of €6 million to accelerate its scaleup. The funding arrived from the Lifeline Ventures, one of Finland’s most successful private equity firms, in Punavuori. Important to say that over the past 12 years, Lifeline Ventures funds have invested in 122 companies: as many as seven of them have become unicorns, growth companies worth more than a billion dollars. Moreover, Lifeline's founders Timo Ahopelto and Petteri Koponen recently announced that their fund management company has raised EUR 150 million in venture capital for its fifth fund. To celebrate the launch, they decided to open up about their working methods and the returns from their previous four funds.
To read this news, click here
VOLTFANG: MacDonald becomes greener
(2022 Green Alley Award Winner)
Voltfang, our Green Alley Award 2022 Winner, installed their system at McDonalds in Portugal for the first time. The project uses a renewable energy generation system with photovoltaic system and the latest generation of energy systems, such as new ventilation, air conditioning and hot water systems. Worth of noting that the photovoltaic systems on the carport were installed independently at the same time and connected to Voltfang system, in this way the store can also consume electricity at the times when it is needed most. Main objective of the project are: increasing the efficiency of energy consumption, battery storage from electric and hybrid cars. This is big step for our 2022 Winner and we wish them great success!