Scotland’s top climate start-ups compete in world's biggest cleantech comp

Scotland’s top three climate-focused start-ups are heading to the Global Grand Final of the world’s largest green ideas competition – hosted in Scotland for the first time by ECCI on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 November 2018.

ECCI is rolling out the red carpet for the ClimateLaunchpad Global Grand Final - where Scotland’s finest will go head-to-head with the most ambitious climate start-ups from 45 countries around the globe for the chance to win up to €10,000 and a place on the prestigious Climate-KIC Accelerator.

Pitching to an audience of around 600 international visitors, the talented Scottish trio’s world-changing inventions range from a hemp-based alternative to plastic shower curtains, to a waste-reducing robot able to move within grain stores.

The three start-ups are all supported by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) - host of the 2018 ClimateLaunchpad Global Grand Final and the leading low carbon hub for Scotland and beyond. Based in the capital city of one of the world’s most climate-ambitious countries, ECCI supports innovative cleantech start-ups and delivers game-changing projects for a thriving zero carbon future.

Taking place on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 November 2018 in the University of Edinburgh’s iconic McEwan Hall, the two-day event’s packed programmed includes 130+ cleantech start-up pitches, dynamic master classes and provocative talks from a range of high-profile, international speakers.

Scotland's top trio

Russell Gibb, founder of Planet Heat, said: “Scotland leads the way when it comes to supporting entrepreneurs so it makes a lot of sense that the final is here in Edinburgh for the first time this year.

“I’m really looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere, experiencing the buzz and learning from all the other fantastic finalists from around the world.”

Planet Heat has developed anew compact, easy-to-deploy, thermal energy collector for use in contaminated fluids such as streams and rivers. Founder Russell Gibb, based in Houston, Renfrewshire, has been working with heat pumps and renewable energy for a long time, starting off as an electrical engineer in the military world after graduating from tech college in 1987.

Jacqueline Bruce, founder of Undisturbed, said:“Scotland has a fantastic contribution to make to sustainability and the circular economy and a world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Being part of ClimateLaunchpad gives us the opportunity to be a part of something that’s much bigger than us.

“I hope it will be a step closer to helping Undisturbed take the world by storm as a global luxury bathroom accessories brand.”

Undisturbed is developing a hemp-based alternative to plastic shower curtains. Founder Jacqueline Bruce is no stranger to success having triumphed in the Climate-KIC Greenhouse programme at ECCI, winning best pitch. After a 15-year marketing career she moved back home to native Dumbarton to pursue her entrepreneurial aspirations.

Lorenzo Conti, founder and CEO of Crover, said: “When I started out on my entrepreneurial journey I had no idea how to get turn my idea into a business - without the support and knowledge of ECCI, LAUNCH.ed and others I would have been lost.

“The amount of expertise and training available in Scotland is incredible and having the belief of others in what I’m doing is massively motivational.

“I want to do Scotland proud and win!”

Crover are bringing to the market the first robotic device able to move within stored grains and measure conditions. Italian-born engineering academic and founder Lorenzo Conti was investigating the physics of grains as part of his PhD at the University of Edinburgh when he realised that his research could make a significant impact on waste in large grain stores.

Rolling out the red carpet

ECCI Deputy Director and national EIT Climate-KIC lead for Scotland, Ed Craig, said:

"From start-ups to investors and cleantech experts, ClimateLaunchpad brings the global crème de la crème together to unlock great ideas and make a positive climate impact.

“It’s a huge privilege for ECCI to be hosting the world’s biggest green ideas competition here in Edinburgh.

"We can’t wait to roll out the red carpet for the world’s best cleantech start-ups and see Scotland’s top ClimateLaunchpad recruits battle it out for the ultimate prize."