EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator Stage 2 launches at ECCI
Nine start-ups have this week launched their bid for climate conscious business success on Stage 2 of ECCI's EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator.
The renowned Accelerator programme, which gives low carbon start-ups the funding, tools and coaching they need to grow into great businesses, has adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 by switching coaching and mentoring sessions online.
Stage 2 helps participants understand their target audience and comes with up to €5000 funding.
The innovative cohort includes six companies progressing from Stage 1 and three new recruits - with entrepreneurs from all across Scotland and the UK taking part in the wholly online programme.
Innovations range from off-grid solar technology which will enable people in refugee camps to become more self-sufficient, to a product that helps forestry organisations meet government goals on tree planting and a super-fast carbon measurement software tool for SMEs.
Joining the Accelerator at Stage 2 for the first time, Steve Skill, Director of Greenskill said: “We need to act fast to develop carbon negative technologies, and benefiting from the EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator at ECCI will provide our company with a huge boost in our endeavours to deploy our GHG mitigation and biodiversity preservation processes worldwide.”
"At SilviBio we are determined to play a positive part, however small, in the collective effort towards the transition to a more sustainable, net-zero economy. ECCI’s support comes at a critical stage for us and will enable us to accelerate the development of our product, designed to help tree nurseries get the most out of their seed and minimise productivity losses due to dry weather." Alicja Dzieciol, Founder and CEO of new Accelerator recruits SilviBio
New the Accelerator but not to ECCI, 2019 ClimateLaunchpad finalist Anthony Magrath, founder of Reshape Technology said ”Reshape's platform enables citizens and organisations to work together to accelerate the path to net zero. We're delighted to have won a place on the EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator - the business support and expertise from the ECCI will take us to the next stage of our company's growth."
Stage 1 successes
The month-long Accelerator Stage 1 programme, which ran this summer, was completed by nine start-ups and resulted in the creation of 2 new products, 3 new employees and 1 new company being registered.
“We had a fantastic experience with the programme and we couldn't recommend it more. As a climate focused start-up, it was great to be able to access the expertise, knowledge and support that was available through ECCI” Jack Kennedy, CEO of Dodo
“The programme is a well-structured business incubation tool that allows firms of all scales to review their green models, refine their value propositions, interact with the wider business ecosystem and truly accelerate their growth - always in alignment with any sustainable development principles.” - Alexandros Angelopoulos, Co-founder of Elpis Solar
“It's hard to appreciate just how transformative the EIT Climate-KIC Accerlerator at ECCI is until you're on it.” - Gareth Claase, Founder of Gecko Glazing
“Being focused on climate action makes EIT Climate-KIC a very special Accelerator in the hearts of all of us who are concerned about the future of the planet.” - Francisco Carreno, Managing Director of Loch Electronics
Innovative solutions to big challenges
Since launching in 2017 ECCI's EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator businesses have secured more than £2.5m worth of investments and won more than 70 awards.
Shona McElroy, ECCI Innovation Project Manager said: “There is no better time for us to reimagine and recreate how we organise ourselves for sustainable future. This talented group is bringing vision and innovative solutions to big challenges.
“Whether it's helping people and companies take control of their own carbon-neutral journey, turning legacy oil and gas infrastructure into the next generation of renewable energy production, or accelerating the regeneration of land and forests for sequestration - these people are taking risks and working hard to test and bring new solutions to market.
“We're looking forward to working alongside them to realise the potential that comes from Scottish talent, networks, and a supportive start-up ecosystem, to lead the world in carbon solutions.”
Meet the EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator 2 start-ups
Agricarbon UK
Agricarbon aim to build and supply the robust, low-cost soil carbon measurement tools needed to enable regenerative farming projects at scale - accelerating a global transition from 'conventional' to regenerative farming. The science-led innovation will reduce the cost barriers of soil testing whilst maintaining accuracy, credibility and confidence in this fast emerging marketplace. Dundee based Co-founder’s Stewart Arbuckle (CEO) and Peter Lyburn (Corporate relations) make up the team.
Dodo
Dodo is a software system for businesses to efficiently track and reduce their carbon emissions in a fraction of the time it would take to manually calculate them. The system connects directly to a company's accounting system, using their existing accounting data to generate a picture of the company’s total CO2 emissions and making it possible for many more small and medium sized businesses to understand and manage their emissions. CTO Csaba Szabo and CEO Jack Kennedy are based in London. www.dodo.eco
Elpis Solar
Elpis Solar has developed a next-generation off-grid solar technology which will enable people in refugee camps to become more self-sufficient. The technology will empower solar-entrepreneurs in the camps to provide essential services like water filtration, mobile phone charging, digital services and light systems in their communities. The Dublin-based team have global ambitions and will begin operating in Rwanda. Co-founders Samuel Kellerhals and Alexandros Angelopoulos are University of Edinburgh alums. elpissolar.com
Gecko Glazing
Edinburgh’s Gecko Glazing has developed a unique, super-low cost solution to reduce heat loss from windows, even double glazed ones. Custom-made, lightweight clear plastic panels are installed inside existing window frames, where they dramatically reduce heat-loss and energy bills for a fraction of the cost of conventional double glazing. The panels can be installed in seconds and are suitable for a huge range of windows.
Greenskill Environmental Technology - NEW
Greenskill’s biological technology cleans waste water and converts polluting gases and wastewater into high value chemicals at scale, using sustainable energy sources. Greenskill’s mission is to pioneer engineered biotechnological solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent the pollution of aquatic environments, cut our reliance on fossil-fuel based products in favour of economical, clean, carbon negative and sustainable solutions.
Loch Electronics
Loch Electronics has developed the world’s first personal dishwasher with medical grade UVC light - tipped as the perfect solution for households of 1-2 people for washing their cookware and tableware and disinfecting personal items and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). With 65% of UK households made up of 1-2 people, the UK could reduce its annual consumption of water by 5.3% and of electricity by 2.2% if all households without a dishwasher switch to using Loch Electronics’ Capsule Dishwasher. The Edinburgh-based team are Francisco Carreno, Managing Director and Hang Xu, Marketing Director. lochelectronics.com
Reshape - NEW
Reshape’s platform enables citizens and organisations to work together to reduce their impact on climate change. The ClimateLaunchpad 2019 finalists aim to incentivise consumers to measure and reduce their carbon footprint and play a personal role in addressing climate change. At the same time we provide organisations with valuable and actionable data needed to accelerate the path to net zero. The team includes Anthony Magrath – Founder, Gordon Povey – Commercial Director and Joanna Allen – Client Director. www.reshapetechnology.com
Silvibio - NEW
SilviBio’s mission is to reduce seed losses that make it hard for forestry organisations to meet government goals on tree planting. SilviBio’s product, which coats seeds to absorb and retain moisture, is currently being tested in a field trial in Scotland. Led by founder and chemist Dr Alicja Dzieciol, the start-up aims to partner with tree growers in the UK and in water stressed countries internationally to increase the success of tree growing and reduce carbon at a global scale. @silvibio_uk www.linkedin.com/company/silvibio/
Tech-Terra
Tech-Terra is on a mission to create transformational green energy projects by converting oil & gas assets in the North Sea. The Aberdeen-based team aim to create a series of 'combined energy' sites around these assets, utilising their geothermal potential and other green energy sources to supply industry, transport, farming and homes, while providing new opportunities for the skilled oil & gas workforce. Helen Taylor, Director of Strategy and Managing Director Brian Archer are based in Aberdeen.
Could you benefit from ECCI's start-up support programmes?
ECCI is the official Scottish partner of EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s largest climate innovation initiative. We give low carbon start-ups funding and support to build rock-solid business models and take their target markets by storm.