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11 Barcelona-based startups you should know!

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StartupValley
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barcelona

In recent years, Barcelona has emerged as a hotspot for startups, offering a vibrant and thriving startup scene. The Catalan capital boasts a variety of incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces that foster innovative ideas and entrepreneurship.

The startup scene in Barcelona is highly diverse and focuses on various industries, including technology, healthcare, tourism, fintech, and e-commerce. Barcelona has a lot to offer in the technology sector, in particular, as it has a rich IT infrastructure and a talented developer community. There are also many promising startups in the areas of smart cities and sustainability.

Barcelona also hosts a range of events and conferences that allow startups to network and showcase their ideas. Key events include 4YFN (Four Years From Now), Barcelona Tech City, and Smart City Expo.

Overall, the startup scene in Barcelona is highly active and dynamic. The city offers entrepreneurs and founders a variety of opportunities to develop and grow their businesses. With a broad range of industries, a talented workforce, and supportive infrastructure, Barcelona is an attractive destination for startups from around the world.

Here are 11 startups from Barcelona that you should know:

Wallapop: Wallapop is an online marketplace for used items where users can quickly and easily buy and sell their unwanted items. The platform allows users to sell or buy items in various categories such as electronics, clothing, furniture, and more. Wallapop is an easy way for users to turn their unused items into cash while also helping others find things they need. The platform is available to users in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and other European countries.

Dynatrace: Dynatrace is an IT startup company that specializes in providing software intelligence solutions. The company offers a platform that helps businesses optimize the performance and availability of their IT systems while improving the user experience. Dynatrace uses artificial intelligence and automation to detect and fix issues in real-time before they can lead to downtime or disruptions. Dynatrace’s solutions are used by companies worldwide to improve the reliability and efficiency of their IT systems.

Colvin: Colvin is a startup company that specializes in selling fresh flowers and plants. They offer a wide selection of flower arrangements and bouquets at affordable prices and provide fast delivery within 24 hours. Colvin works directly with flower producers to ensure that the flowers are always of the highest quality and also offers personalized cards and gifts. The company is headquartered in Spain and operates in several European countries.

Glovo: Glovo is a Spanish startup that operates an online platform allowing users to order and receive various products and services in their city, ranging from groceries and drinks to medicines and other daily essentials. Delivery is carried out by independent couriers who are hired through the Glovo app. Glovo operates in multiple countries and has quickly become one of the leading companies in the on-demand delivery space.

TravelPerk: TravelPerk is a startup that offers an advanced platform for business travel. The platform allows companies to easily and efficiently organize travel by providing a unified interface for booking flights, accommodations, and rental cars. TravelPerk also offers a specialized management dashboard that enables companies to track and optimize travel expenses. The company is headquartered in Barcelona and was founded in 2015.

Yaba: Yaba is a startup that has developed a mobile app to simplify the process of ordering groceries from local retailers. With the Yaba app, customers can place orders and track their deliveries. Yaba partners with small, independent retailers and enables them to sell their products online and expand their business. The app also offers a cash-on-delivery option to serve customers who do not have credit cards or do not wish to use them online.

Factorial HR: Factorial HR is a startup that offers a cloud-based human resources management software solution. The Factorial HR platform provides a range of tools to automate and optimize HR tasks such as employee management, recruitment, time tracking, and payroll processing. With the Factorial HR platform, companies can manage their HR department more effectively and save time by automating manual processes.

Badi: Badi is a Barcelona-based startup that offers a platform for renting apartments and rooms. The platform uses an intelligent matching system to bring potential tenants and landlords together. It also offers a secure payment option and user verification to create a sense of trust between the parties. Badi.com operates in the European market and aims to make renting accommodation easier and more convenient.

Lodgify: Lodgify is a startup that offers an all-in-one software solution for managing vacation rentals. The platform allows vacation rental owners to showcase their offerings online, manage bookings, accept payments, and automate guest communication. The software is easy to use and offers features such as website creation, channel management, accounting, analytics, and marketing tools. With Lodgify, rental owners can make their rental businesses more efficient and profitable.

Ukio: Ukio is a startup that offers a cloud-based platform for secure and easy data exchange between businesses. The platform allows companies to securely share their data and documents and collaborate in real-time, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. Ukio uses modern encryption technologies and meets the highest security standards to ensure the confidentiality of data.

Exoticca: Exoticca is an online travel operator that specializes in tailor-made travel packages to exotic destinations. The company offers a wide selection of holiday experiences in over 50 countries around the world, curated by experienced travel experts. Exoticca aims to make travel to exotic destinations accessible to everyone and provide an unforgettable travel experience.

Foto/Quelle: stock.adobe.com – gatsi

Veridis: technological innovation to recycle plastic

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StartupValley
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A sustainability platform for the textile industry, a biodegradable packaging made of hemp and mycelium, an independent sourcing platform for sustainable packaging, a digital marketplace for used electrical and electronic equipment, a technology-driven platform to connect informal waste pickers to the recycled plastic market and a technological machine to analyse plastic composition – these are the ideas developed by the six Green Alley Award finalists of 2023.

The last finalist we’re introducing to you is Veridis from the Netherlands.

Veridis is developing a plastic analysis machine that revolutionizes (recycled) plastic quality control by scaling up sample sizes with a factor 100.000 enabling the use of recycled plastics in high value products. Veridis focuses on making currently unusable recycled plastics usable and giving insight into the daily recycling stream. Their aim is to help the plastic recycling industry by giving it a new (patented) analysis method to standardize material grading and certification.

With that, Veridis tackles the industry’s problems like unknown material properties, not being able to recycle dark plastics, time constraints, expensive and limited analysis options and uncertainty in quality control due to the complexity of all the different plastic types (Did you know there are more than 250 different plastic types that cannot be mixed together when making new high-quality products like foils or your shampoo bottles?).

The technological sector has great innovations! Every day, more and more companies bring new ideas and create new machines! What do you think makes your machine unique?

Our MADSCAN system is the first analysis technology specifically developed to analyse plastics and at large, representative volumes. Existing methods are not specialized in just plastics, they just happen to also analyse plastics and are effective at a small scale or in controlled laboratory environments. The plastic recycling industry, however, is not a controlled environment.

The current analysis methods are not designed for large-scale high-quality plastic recycling and, therefore, fall short when the industry needs reliable, continuous material information. This leads to performance issues when the performance of the material does not match with what the analysis says. Due to this, using recycled content in high-quality products is risky because we never exactly know what we are recycling in the first place. The industry tells us that we need a standardized method to grade and certify material reliably and we believe we can enable this with our technology.

You are planning to get a patent on your technology, what are your next steps afterwards?

Actually, since our application a long time ago, our patents has been approved, meaning that we can now say that indeed, our MADSCAN technology is patented! However, we have found additional patentable findings. We are now in the process of building the commercial systems and building our database, but these other findings will be combined into a larger patent for the whole system, further solidifying the robustness and protection of our technology.

How do you improve plastic recycling? Can you please explain the process in simple words.

In short, Veridis works towards standardising material grading and certification so that the plastic recycling industry can better grade and also price their materials for specific products in which we cannot reliably use recycled materials yet.

When you want to make something, you need to have a ‘recipe’ and have the right ingredients so that you can produce a reliable quality. What do we put in, how well does the production process function and what comes out? That will also allow you to guarantee the quality to your buyers. But, plastics are complex products, and just 3% of unwanted impurities makes a batch unusable for high-quality products. Knowing what you buy, produce and sell is of vital importance to assure product quality and safety. Because our technology can measure accurately what’s in a larger batch, we give our clients the following benefits to improve their recycling processes and make their products more valuable.

1. What comes in.

A client can measure the incoming batches of plastic flakes before they enter their production process. With the exact insight they get from the MADSCAN analysis, they can make sure that the material they bought will be of the right quality and not disrupt their production process. If it’s not the quality they need, they can also give back this information to their supplier so that they can uphold their quality better with future batches.

2. Better production processes.

A client can measure the quality and composition of material entering their production process and measure again the outcoming product and see how well their process performs. Does the quality or composition change, does it stay the same or does it improve etc.

3. Better material grading and quality assurances.

A client can give a reliable certificate of product composition and quality, especially for high-quality products where recycled plastics are barely used today. There is not reliable standardized method for this now, which makes product producers less likely to use recycled plastics in their products or forces them to conduct extra tests themselves. The first frontrunner(s) in the market who will be able to provide this new standard and quality will capture the largest value in the coming years as we transition to a circular economy.

Creating a startup is not an easy task and there are many challenges. So far, what has been the greatest challenge you had to overcome?

As a deep tech start-up developing a new technology, we do have higher development costs. We have been able to come up with creative solutions to bootstrap our technology, but securing funding with the right partners is of course and ongoing process that we need to balance. Also, the market is vast and complex and we get many requests and questions if we can measure X or Y and if we can do this or that etc.

Staying on track and making adjustments based on what the market really needs without losing focus by focusing on too many challenges at once is also something that we have to stay sharp on. Resources and time are limited and we cannot chase every bone that we see, even if we’d like to. Winning the final would definitely help us to hire more crucial engineers to develop faster and bring our product to the market faster!

Please complete our sentence: The world needs a circular economy because…

Because it’s the only just thing to do, for ourselves and the billions of humans that will still be born on this planet after us.

Would you like to meet Veridis and experience the award ceremony live in Berlin? Register now for the event: https://green-alley-award.com/event-registration/

11 Vienna-based startups you should know!

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StartupValley
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The startup scene in Vienna is currently experiencing a boom and is considered one of the most promising in Europe. Compared to other European cities, Vienna is still a relatively affordable city in terms of rents, making it attractive for startups to establish their businesses here.

There are a variety of incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces in the city that help startups to network and grow. Additionally, there is a vibrant community of investors, mentors, and supporters who are willing to support startups with capital, resources, and know-how.

Of particular note is the role of the City of Vienna, which has actively worked in recent years to promote the startup scene. The city has launched a program called “Start-up Vienna,” which supports startups with various types of assistance such as financing, office space, and advisory services.

Another positive sign for the startup scene in Vienna is the increasing number of success stories. There are already some successful companies from Vienna that are known worldwide, such as Runtastic and mySugr.

All in all, the startup scene in Vienna is lively, dynamic, and promising. There are a variety of opportunities for startups to network, grow, and be successful. With the support of the City of Vienna and the active community of investors and supporters, the future of the startup scene in Vienna looks very promising.

Adverity: Adverity is an Austrian startup that was founded in 2014. It offers a marketing platform that allows businesses to collect, manage, and analyze their marketing data from various sources. The platform enables companies to optimize their marketing campaigns by providing them with a comprehensive overview of their data and performance metrics. Adverity has already received several awards for its innovative marketing solutions and continues to expand into new markets.

GoStudent: GoStudent is an Austrian startup that was founded in 2016. It offers an online platform for tutoring and homework help for students aged six to 19 years old. The platform connects students with certified tutors who teach live and interactively via video chat. GoStudent has rapidly expanded and is now active in several European countries, including Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, and the UK.

Bitpanda: Bitpanda is an Austrian cryptocurrency trading platform that allows users to buy, sell, and store digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Vienna. Bitpanda is known for its user-friendly platform, which also makes it easy for beginners to get into the world of cryptocurrencies. In addition, Bitpanda offers a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and local payment methods, to make buying cryptocurrencies as easy as possible. Bitpanda also has its own digital currency called “BEST,” which users can earn for trading activities and completing tasks on the platform.

PlanRadar: PlanRadar is an Austrian startup that offers an innovative software solution for the construction industry. The platform simplifies collaboration between different construction stakeholders such as contractors, architects, and building owners by enabling real-time communication, documentation, and defect management on a central platform. PlanRadar helps to speed up the construction process, reduce costs, and minimize errors. The application is web-based and can be used on both desktop and mobile devices.

Refurbed: Refurbed is a startup that was founded in 2017. The company specializes in selling refurbished electronic products, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, and household appliances. Refurbed follows a sustainable business strategy by refurbishing used devices and selling them at a lower price than new devices. The devices are thoroughly tested, cleaned, and repaired if necessary. Refurbed offers a minimum warranty of 12 months on all products and aims to extend the lifespan of electronic products to reduce waste and environmental pollution.

MOSTLY AI: MOSTLY AI is a startup that specializes in developing privacy and AI solutions. The company uses state-of-the-art technologies to anonymize data and ensure data protection. At the same time, MOSTLY AI offers its customers the ability to develop and use advanced AI models to optimize their business processes. The company works with customers from various industries, including finance, healthcare, and retail.

Storebox: Storebox is a startup company that offers innovative solutions for self-storage. These are storage units that can be rented by individuals or businesses to securely store items or goods. The unique aspect of Storebox is that the storage units are accessible 24/7 and equipped with modern digital infrastructure. Customers can control access to their storage units through an app and pay their rent online. With this concept, Storebox aims to revolutionize the self-storage market and provide customers with a simple and flexible solution for their storage needs.

Waterdrop: Waterdrop is a startup company that specializes in the production and sale of innovative and portable water bottles. The company is known for its unique and flavorful microdrinks in tablet form that can be added to the bottles to provide water with taste and additional nutrients. Waterdrop aims to help people drink more water and feel healthier by offering a simple and convenient way to enhance water. The company operates in several countries and has a loyal customer following who are impressed by the quality and taste of the products.

Byrd: Byrd is an Austrian startup that specializes in simplifying logistics services for small and medium-sized e-commerce companies. The company offers a platform that allows online merchants to easily manage and ship orders by handling the entire process from pickup to delivery to the end customer. By using artificial intelligence and optimized routes, Byrd can offer fast and cost-effective delivery throughout Europe.

TourRadar: TourRadar is an online marketplace for booking group tours and adventure vacations around the world. The company offers a wide range of travel packages from various providers, including trekking, safari, cycling, sailing, and cultural tours. TourRadar also provides a user-friendly platform for customers to search, compare, and book their travels, as well as a support team available for any questions or issues.

Bikemap: Bikemap is an Austrian startup company founded in 2014 that specializes in developing an interactive map platform for bicycle routes. The platform offers global coverage with millions of routes created and shared by an active community of cyclists. Users can create their own routes and share them on the platform, as well as access and download routes created by other users. Bikemap also offers a mobile app that allows cyclists to record and share their routes, as well as useful features such as navigation and offline maps.

Foto/Quelle: stock.adobe.com – mRGB

SIMBY: Digital WEEE platform 

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StartupValley
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A sustainability platform for the textile industry, a biodegradable packaging made of hemp and mycelium, an independent sourcing platform for sustainable packaging, a digital marketplace for used electrical and electronic equipment, a technology-driven platform to connect informal waste pickers to the recycled plastic market and a technological machine to analyse plastic composition – these are the ideas developed by the six Green Alley Award finalists of 2023. Let’s continue with introducing Simby from Portugal.

The winner of our public voting and therefore the first startup to enter the finals was Simby. A Portuguese startup that developed a digital platform and marketplace for used electrical and electronic equipment. With their solution the startup aims to not only reduce the amount of discarded electronics, but also create a platform where recyclers and electronic equipment owners can interact. Read more about this series public voting winner Simby and their greatest successes!

First of all, congratulations on your victory! It seems like you have great supporters already. Did you expect these results or were you surprised? 

Thank you very much! We are incredibly grateful for the support we received from everyone who voted for us. We were hopeful that our idea would resonate with most people, but we were also pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response and support we received. Winning the public vote has given us even more motivation to continue working hard towards our mission of creating a sustainable marketplace for EEE waste.

Your idea is going to provide a great solution to the WEEE dismantling problem that is already addressed by the EU. When did you realize that there is a need for such a platform?

Our team has always been passionate about creating a more sustainable future, and we noticed that there was a significant gap in the market when it came to managing EEE waste. We have a lot of experience in handling end of life electronic equipment, which has helped to realize that there was a clear business opportunity based on a solution with a strong environmental and social impact. 

We also did complementary research and found that even with the EU regulations in place for the dismantling of WEEE, many producers and recyclers struggle to effectively manage their waste streams. We saw that as an opportunity to create a platform that could connect producers and recyclers and make the process of managing EEE waste more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. By providing a marketplace for EEE waste management, we hope to address this issue and contribute to a more sustainable circular economy.

What is the Portuguese circular economy startup scene like, where do you see current trends, maybe especially regarding your WEEE solution?

Portugal, and as we know, all of Europe have a growing and dynamic Startup scene that is also increasing their focus on sustainable and circular business models. There are many exciting companies and initiatives in Portugal that are driving innovation in the circular economy space, and we are proud to join that community. 

In the last years in Portugal, we saw a lot of new companies and ideas on how to design, produce, and distribute clothing in a sustainable and circular manner, allowing for the materials to be reused and repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. Others promote sustainable tourism by offering electric tours of Portugal’s cities and countryside, promoting low-carbon transportation and eco-tourism. Even in the waste management we saw a lot of good ideas, mainly by helping businesses and municipalities to find waste management solutions that are tailored to their specific needs and provide tools for tracking and monitoring waste. 

Although there are a lot of good projects, we realized that there was a platform missing focusing on enhancing e-waste recycling in the European market.

What has been your last greatest success (apart from making it to the Green Alley Award finals)?

We believe that our greatest success so far, was the incredible support and enthusiasm we gathered from e-waste producers and recyclers about the platform who have already expressed interest in registering and using it and the significant progress on the development of our platform. Additionally, we recently have received contacts from VC companies that can enable us to accelerate our growth and expand our impact, and to establish partnerships with other companies that work in the circular economy ecosystem. 

We are also excited about receptivity and enthusiasm on the part of the public entities with whom we have spoken.

Please complete our sentence: The world needs a circular economy because…

…the existing linear economic model, which is built on take-make-waste and has detrimental effects on the environment and society, is outmoded, and the world needs a circular economy focused on waste reduction, resource conservation, and climate change mitigation, as well as opening new business opportunities and fostering social inclusion. We all need to realize that resources are finite and interconnected, and therefore require a systemic and collaborative approach to design, produce, use, and recover products and materials.

Would you like to meet Simby and experience the award ceremony live in Berlin? Register now for the event: https://green-alley-award.com/event-registration/

SIMBY: Digital WEEE platform 

11 Bristol-based startups you should know!

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StartupValley
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bristol

Bristol has emerged as a key center for startups in the UK in recent years. The city boasts a diverse mix of universities, creative industries, and a vibrant culture, making it an attractive location for entrepreneurs.

One of the driving forces behind the growth of the startup scene in Bristol is the local government, which actively promotes investment in technology and innovation. The city has created a range of incubators and accelerators to help entrepreneurs advance their ideas and succeed.

Another factor that makes Bristol one of the top startup centers in the UK is the availability of skilled professionals. The city is a magnet for young talent from around the world, drawn to the career opportunities and high standard of living.

The startup scene in Bristol is also known for its focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Many of the companies in the city are geared towards protecting the environment and positively impacting society.

Overall, the startup scene in Bristol offers a dynamic and growing community of innovative businesses that have not only local but also global impact.

UltraLeap: UltraLeap is a startup company specializing in the development and manufacture of touchless interaction solutions. The company has developed technology that allows users to manipulate virtual objects using gestures and hand movements, without the need for physical interaction. These touchless interaction solutions are used in various industries, including the automotive industry, retail, healthcare, and entertainment. UltraLeap is headquartered in the UK and also operates branches in North America and Asia.

Five.ai: Five.ai is a startup company specializing in the development of artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. The company is based in the UK and is working to develop autonomous vehicles for use in cities, making transportation safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly. Five.ai uses machine learning technologies to train and improve its autonomous vehicles and works with leading automotive manufacturers and suppliers to integrate its technology into production vehicles.

ClearBank: ClearBank is a British fintech startup founded in 2015, focusing on providing cloud-based banking services for businesses. ClearBank offers a range of services such as deposit accounts, payment processing, credit card processing, and foreign exchange, all accessible via an API interface. The company aims to revolutionize the banking sector by making it easier and more transparent for businesses of all sizes and types to access banking services. ClearBank has quickly become one of the leading fintech companies in the UK and is supported by notable investors.

Brightpearl: Brightpearl is a startup company that offers a cloud-based enterprise management software. Brightpearl’s software integrates features such as e-commerce, inventory management, accounting, and customer service into a single platform to simplify the business processes of retailers and wholesalers. Founded in 2007 in the UK, Brightpearl is headquartered in Bristol.

Open Bionics: Open Bionics is a startup company that develops and manufactures advanced prosthetics for people with amputations. Their technology is based on 3D printing and robotics, allowing them to produce customized prosthetics at a fraction of the cost of traditional prosthetics. The company aims to improve access to affordable and modern prosthetics to enhance the lives of people with amputations and improve their mobility and quality of life.

Moneyhub: Moneyhub is a startup company that has developed a financial management platform to support individuals and businesses in managing their finances. The platform offers features such as account aggregation, budgeting, investment tracking, and financial advice. Users can manage and analyze their various financial accounts, such as bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts, on the platform. Moneyhub aims to make financial decisions more transparent and accessible to achieve better financial outcomes for its users.

Payaca: Payaca is a startup company that has developed a mobile app that allows users to make online payments quickly, easily, and securely. The app is user-friendly and offers a variety of features, such as sending and receiving money, paying bills, and making transfers. Payaca aims to revolutionize traditional banking and simplify people’s lives by providing them with a fast and secure way to conduct financial transactions.

Ferryx: Ferryx is a startup company that focuses on developing technologies to improve the health of livestock. They offer innovative products and services based on the use of probiotic bacteria and other natural ingredients to promote animal well-being and improve their performance. Their goal is to make animal husbandry more sustainable and efficient while promoting the health and well-being of livestock.

Immersive Labs: Immersive Labs is a startup company that specializes in the development of cyber security training and learning solutions. Their platform uses immersive and interactive learning to train security professionals and help businesses improve their cyber security competencies. The company is based in the UK and works with businesses around the world.

Deazy: Deazy is a startup company that has developed an online platform that allows businesses to automate and simplify their workflows. The platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate recurring tasks such as data processing, accounting, and order management. Deazy aims to support businesses of all sizes and industries by helping them increase efficiency, save time and money, and optimize their business processes.

LettUs Grow: LettUs Grow is a startup company that focuses on the development of technologies for vertical plant cultivation. Their goal is to provide a sustainable and efficient solution for food production by enabling the cultivation of fresh produce indoors. LettUs Grow uses a combination of innovative cultivation systems, sensors, and control technologies to optimize plant growth and increase crop yields. Their solutions can be used in various environments, such as greenhouses, urban farms, and supermarkets.

Photo/Source: stock.adobe.com – Nick

S.LAB: Mushroom and Hemp Packaging Innovation

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StartupValley
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A sustainability platform for the textile industry, a biodegradable packaging made of hemp and mycelium, an independent sourcing platform for sustainable packaging, a digital marketplace for used electrical and electronic equipment, a technology-driven platform to connect informal waste pickers to the recycled plastic market and a technological machine to analyse plastic composition – these are the ideas developed by the six Green Alley Award finalists of 2023.

EPS – Expanded Polystyrene Styrofoam – is a classic among the materials used for efficient construction or shock absorption and moisture insensitive packaging of products. Despite many advantages, this material has also downsides: Right now, there is no recycling solution after it is discarded by consumers and if it ends up in the sea or in landfills, it can harm our environment.

From pollution to solution! In today´s news section we would like to introduce S.Lab, an Ukrainian startup that is developing an alternative to EPS material and a truly green packaging solution! Made from mushroom roots and hemp stems, their packaging is therefore 100% biodegradable and waterproof. Read the interview and learn more about the startup´s challenges and their innovative solution!

Your packaging alternative is a great circular economy innovation. Where do you get the mushroom and the hemp that are needed to produce the product?

To produce our material, we need only two components that are hemp’s stem or straw and mycelium, which are mushroom roots.

The first chunk of mycelium we have received from the Botanical Institute in Kyiv and now we are re-cultivating this mycelium in our own laboratory over and over again. This means that one component we are growing in house and do not supply it from somewhere else. 

And hemp’s stem or straw is an agricultural waste that remains on the fields after the harvest as garbage, so farmers are happy to find customers for such product as this will make next year’s crop faster and easier. Currently we are sourcing hemp straw from one of the biggest Ukrainian producers of hemp and now also looking into more potential suppliers in the European Union. Also, we can use other agricultural waste like corn stem, wheat stem, tea trees leftovers. 

Can you please describe how the biodegradation process works?

After the usage, S.Lab packaging needs to be broken into at least two pieces and ideally thrown into the soil. In the soil our material will fully decompose in 30-45 days without any trace. Moreover, it will fertilize land to which it was thrown away. 

Also, it’s absolutely safe to throw such packaging in the residual waste bin or food compost.

What is the benefit of your plastic alternative in comparison to others? Where do you see your USP?

First of all, most of the plastic alternatives are not biodegradable as we would like and might still require long industrial composting under high temperature and pressure. In our case we use only two plant-based components that will biodegrade to 100%. 

The other problem with alternative materials is that they still cannot be produced at the industrial scale, only 1,5% of the packaging is produced using alternative materials. In our case from day one we focused on the scalable technology and our goal is to produce packaging at the industrial scale. That’s why we develop our own unique efficient technology that will allow us to quickly launch automated production lines in various locations of the world. 

Alternative materials also remain very expensive and with the cheap raw material and scalable efficient technology we can definitely bring our material to a very affordable level. 

Having a good idea to solve problems in our society is the first step, but especially startups often encounter many problems and challenges when trying to establish themselves on the market. What has been one of the most challenging moments for S.Lab until now?

Since we are Ukrainians, the most challenging moment was of course full-scale war that hit us out of nowhere in 2022. All our team in different parts of Ukraine woke up from the sounds of explosions and all of us had to leave everything behind and evacuate to save the most basic thing – our lives. 

At that moment we were on a survival mode and for some time everything was on pause with S.Lab as of course we didn’t know what will unfold and what future holds for all of us. In just few weeks, when all of us were in safe places, we went back to our startup and understood that no matter what we still want to carry on, build and develop packaging materials to build a better future for all of us. 

Please complete our sentence: The world needs a circular economy because…

… there is no other way for the planet and for humanity to achieve sustainability and climate goals. We need to rethink the way we use resources and materials and investigate the opportunity of using more and more renewable resources, repurpose current usage of the resources and decrease waste generation. Only polystyrene packaging leads to 12 million tons of CO2 emissions every year and requires 24 million litres of water for production. 

Great example of circular economy implementation in packaging industry is packaging as a service, where instead of using packaging once, it’s collected and then used again in many more cycles of delivery. 

The circular economy approach is a pathway to innovative technologies, waste minimization and a more sustainable future. 

Register now and watch our six finalists pitch their idea live in Berlin on 27th April 2023!

S.LAB: Mushroom and Hemp Packaging Innovation

Circulate: Digital Sourcing Platform for Sustainable Packaging

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StartupValley
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A sustainability management platform for the textile industry, an independent sourcing platform for sustainable packaging, a biodegradable packaging grown out of hemp and mycelium, a marketplace for used electrical and electronic equipment, a technology-driven platform to connect informal waste pickers to the recycled plastic market and a technological machine to analyse plastic composition – these are the ideas developed by the six Green Alley Award finalists of 2023.

Let’s continue with introducing the second finalist, Circulate from Sweden.

Circulate offers a digital sourcing platform and marketplace for sustainable packaging solutions that makes finding, comparing, and implementing better packaging less complex and more transparent. At the same time, the platform helps producers of sustainable packaging scale and expand into new markets and customer segments.

As the European Green Deal moves forward, aiming to make all packaging recyclable by 2030, the demand for sustainable packaging will also rise. Consequently, this type of service and platform will become more and more important as packaging regulations become stricter. Read the interview to find out more about Circulate’s founding story and their circular economy solution.

Your innovation is another great way to drive major changes in the packaging industry and to contribute to a more sustainable world. How did you have the idea to bring together suppliers and consumers in this industry? 

In Europe we consume three times more than the world can generate. There is a massive need to cut consumption and understand how we can use resources more efficiently. On top of the massive overconsumption, we are facing huge challenges with waste – where packaging is a major culprit. 

Both society and governments are aware of these issues: So, we were wondering why the transition to greener alternatives is taking so long?

To find out why, our founder, Karolina Ling-Vannerus, took a job as a consultant in the packaging industry. Karolina quickly realized that the current process to find, compare and implement better packaging is time consuming, complex and lacks transparency – especially for smaller companies.

The greener alternatives are out there, but the new innovations fail to scale due to poor commercialization and limited product ranges. 

In 2021, Circulate was founded to combat these issues and speed up the transition to more sustainable alternatives by guiding and connecting smaller buyers with the most sustainable packaging producers.

The new landscape deriving from the new regulations for sustainable packaging is offering new opportunities all over Europe, nevertheless each country still has unique laws. How would you describe the situation on the packaging market in Europe?

One big difference between now and a few years ago is that packaging buyers’ demand for greener solutions has grown exponentially, mainly driven by increased awareness and demands from their customers. At the same time governments and society are putting an increased pressure on producers and packaging buyers with stricter regulations and taxations being implemented every year. 

There are EU standards all countries need to follow as a base but then some countries have chosen to set stricter regulations than the EU standard. On our platform we are transparent and educating about all these different regulations and their specific impact making it easier for our suppliers and buyers to navigate this market. 

Ensuring you find the best possible supplier is very important. Can you please walk us through the selection process and tell us about the characteristics that the supplier must have?

Together with experts, we have developed the world’s first holistic sustainability screening model for packaging, looking beyond just LCA and CO2, to ensure all products on our platform are truly the better choice for the future of the planet. Before going live, all packaging products on our platform go through a rigorous screening process to ensure they meet our minimum criteria.

For example, the products must be made with at least 70% of renewable materials which are likely to be reused, recycled, or composted in most of the EU (i.e., not becoming waste). We also take into consideration the ethical working conditions as well as the characteristics of the products. Another criterion is to make sure that the material weight and volume is minimized while keeping functionality and ensuring safety and hygiene for both product and consumer (EN 13428). 

What is your USP?

There are companies out there offering sustainable packaging, however since packaging is never a company’s core, there is a knowledge gap for the buyer. Circulate bridges the gap between inexperienced packaging buyers and the suppliers, helping them understand their packaging needs and objectively assess the market and the alternatives out there. This, combined with digitalising the whole purchasing and restocking process and adding a layer of data and analytics, makes us the ultimate tool for handling packaging. 

Please complete our sentence: The world needs a circular economy because… 

… we simply don’t generate enough new resources to consume on such a high level as we do today. So, if we want to keep this high rate, we need to reuse resources in a more efficient way.

Register now and watch our six finalists pitch their idea live in Berlin on 27th April 2023!

BCome: Improving transparency within the Fashion Industry   

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A sustainability platform for the textile industry, a biodegradable packaging made of hemp and mycelium, an independent sourcing platform for sustainable packaging, a digital marketplace for used electrical and electronic equipment, a technology-driven platform to connect informal waste pickers to the recycled plastic market and a technological machine to analyse plastic composition – these are the ideas developed by the six Green Alley Award finalists of 2023.

Let’s start with introducing BCome Certified from Spain.

The fashion industry has a waste problem that needs to be addressed: fast fashion, which is the turnover of cheap and mass-produced-clothing. According to the World Economic Forum about 73% of clothes are burned or end up in landfill, only 12% is collected and recycled, and only 1% is recycled within the fashion industry. Luckily, brands as well as consumers are now becoming aware of this huge sustainability challenge! Here, the Spanish startup BCome comes into play!

The company developed a digital sustainability platform for the fashion industry that aims at enabling fashion businesses to build responsible supply chains, while guaranteeing transparency and bringing it to the final customer. Reading their interview makes us understand the importance of their digital solution and what are the challenges women might face when founding a startup!

The technology industry is not only one of the fastest-growing sectors on the market, but also one of the most competitive ones. What sets your apart from your competitors?

We have a multidisciplinary approach to sustainability, we provide answers from an environmental, social, and economic perspective. This transversality gives our product a different value proposition! it’s a fact, our 360° vision makes us different. Our platform is a comprehensive solution based on 3 key points: First, we provide meaningful sustainability data. We collect relevant data from the whole value chain and transform it into sustainability knowledge. Second, we offer business decision-making tool. We enable brands to make data-based decisions according to their global impact. The third aspect is the Engagement. We enhance the connection with consumers through main sustainability insights.

For us, sustainability doesn’t need to be hard, we make it simple and turn it into a competitive advantage for the business. 

Was there a particular moment or situation that triggered the idea to found BCome? 

We have always kept the same goal in mind: to help the fashion industry getting the answers it needs. First, we started BCome as a fashion consultancy in 2016. But after a few years working with suppliers in Asia, we decided to follow our instincts and began to develop the global sustainability management platform that BCome is today. We realised that the market did not need a greater product offering, but the knowledge and answers that would make the sustainable transformation of the industry easier. So, all the knowledge acquired in the field was applied into a digital product that sought to offer solutions to achieve this change.

There are so many challenges that startups must face. Do you feel that women encounter an even wider range of challenges when founding a startup?

We feel comfortable being women in the tech business industry but it’s true that there are still many prejudices to tear down. Despite all the obstacles that we might have found on the path, we have been fortunate to have a strong support network of people who have always believed in our mission and have provided valuable guidance along the way. Finding enablers of success, who are good people and share your vision, is crucial for any startup, and we are grateful for those who have supported us on our journey. We believe that strong feminine references are necessary, and we hope that women of future generations would have easier access thanks to projects like BCome having paved the way.

You are still in an early stage, where do you see your startup in 5 years from now?

We really want to transform the fashion industry. In 5 years from now, we see BCome as a leading platform for sustainability in the fashion business. Our goal is to expand our reach and impact, and we plan to achieve this by enhancing our technology and further improving the accuracy we provide to our customers. We imagine a future where sustainable fashion is not a trend, but a standard, and we believe that our platform can play a crucial role in making this a reality. By empowering consumers with information and providing businesses with tools to track and reduce their environmental impact, we aim to create a more sustainable future for the fashion industry and beyond.

Please complete our sentence: The world needs a circular economy …

… because we have the responsibility to protect the supply of resources for future generations. With a linear model of consumption and disposal, we are depleting resources at an alarming rate, creating a future where these resources may not be longer available. This is particularly important in the fashion industry, where the production of textiles and garments requires significant amounts of water, energy, and other resources. By embracing circularity, we can reduce waste and the need for virgin materials, while also promoting more responsible and sustainable practices throughout the industry. This is essential if we want to create a world that is not just sustainable, but also equitable and prosperous for all.

Register now and watch our six finalists pitch their idea live in Berlin on 27th April 2023!

11 Amsterdam-based startups you should know!

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amsterdam

In recent years, Amsterdam has experienced a vibrant and growing startup scene. The city has become a key hub for young companies, benefiting from its excellent infrastructure, access to talent, and open culture.

A crucial factor contributing to the success of Amsterdam’s startup scene is the presence of a strong technology infrastructure. The city boasts exceptional digital infrastructure and a thriving tech community that encourages the exchange of ideas and collaboration between startups.

Additionally, Amsterdam has a unique culture that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. The city is renowned for its open, tolerant, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting startups from all over the world.

Another contributing factor to the development of the startup scene in Amsterdam is the availability of talent. The city has exceptional educational infrastructure and attracts talent from around the world, especially in the fields of technology and design.

Overall, Amsterdam has a thriving startup scene that benefits from its technology infrastructure, open culture, and talent pool. The city has the potential to continue growing and establish itself as a significant player in the global startup scene.

Here are eleven interesting startups that were founded in Amsterdam:

Seenons: is a startup company that provides a platform for sustainable shopping and selling of second-hand fashion and accessories. The platform simplifies the process of buying and selling used clothing and promotes a sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyle. Seenons allows users to upload and sell their clothes, while buyers can find a wide selection of used items at affordable prices. The company is committed to reducing textile waste and promoting the circular economy to minimize the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

MessageBird: is a Dutch startup that specializes in providing cloud communication services for businesses. The company offers a variety of communication channels, including SMS, voice calls, WhatsApp, email, and more, which enable businesses to communicate with customers and other audiences worldwide. The MessageBird platform is easy to use and offers a range of features such as chatbots, integrations with other platforms, and analytics, which make it easier for businesses to optimize their communication strategies. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam and operates in more than 190 countries.

The Fabricant: is a Dutch startup that specializes in digital fashion. The company uses advanced 3D design and rendering technologies to design and produce unique virtual clothing and accessories. These digital fashion creations can be worn and experienced in the virtual world, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional textile production. The Fabricant aims to revolutionize the fashion industry and shape the future of fashion.

VanMoof: is a startup that manufactures high-quality electric bicycles. The company was founded in 2009 with the aim of revolutionizing urban mobility by producing environmentally friendly and stylish bicycles specifically designed for city commuting. VanMoof has also specialized in smart bike technology, offering features such as automatic gear shifts, GPS tracking, and theft protection. The company operates retail stores in several countries and also sells its bicycles online.

Otrium: is a startup that offers an online platform for selling fashion excess inventory. The company works directly with well-known fashion brands to sell their surplus clothing items. On the platform, customers can buy high-quality fashion items at discounted prices, while brands can sell their excess inventory more effectively and sustainably. Otrium is a rapidly growing company headquartered in Amsterdam.

Zivver: is a startup that specializes in secure digital communication. The Zivver platform offers a secure alternative to email and other messaging services by offering end-to-end encryption, secure file transfer, and precise identity verification. The company aims to improve the confidentiality and security of business communications while ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

Leyden Labs: is a biotech startup that specializes in the research and development of antiviral therapies and vaccines. The company was founded in 2020 by a team of scientists who were working at the renowned Leiden University in the Netherlands. Leyden Labs aims to develop novel technologies that enable the acceleration and improvement of antiviral drug and vaccine development, utilizing innovative approaches in science and state-of-the-art technologies in biotechnology.

BUX: is a Dutch FinTech startup founded in 2014 that has developed a trading app allowing users to invest in stocks and other financial instruments with small amounts of money. The app is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with a range of features to help beginners get started in trading, such as tutorials and virtual practice accounts. In addition, BUX also offers a more advanced platform for experienced traders called “BUX X,” which allows trading with leverage. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam and operates in several European countries.

Timberhub: is a startup specializing in the brokerage of wood deliveries. The company connects wood buyers with a wide range of wood suppliers and offers a user-friendly platform for buying and selling wood. Timberhub uses technology to make the wood trade more efficient and transparent, and provides its customers with an easy way to obtain high-quality wood.

Crisp: is a startup company specializing in the field of food subscriptions. The company offers its customers fresh, seasonal, and healthy food directly from local farmers. Crisp aims to provide consumers with a transparent and sustainable alternative to traditional food shopping, while also helping farmers sell their products directly to customers. Orders can be placed online and delivered directly to customers’ doorsteps.

Fiberplane: is a startup company specializing in providing a platform for managing applications in the cloud. With Fiberplane, developers can test their applications in a virtual environment before transferring them to production environments. The platform also offers features such as automatic error detection and resolution, as well as integration with popular development tools. Fiberplane’s goal is to help developers bring their applications to the cloud faster and more securely.

These startups have pioneered various industries such as mobility, IoT, e-commerce, cyber security and virtual reality, contributing to establishing Amsterdam as a leading innovation hub in Europe.

Photo/Source: pixabay.com – djedj

11 New York-based startups you should know!

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new york

The New York startup scene is one of the most well-known in the world and is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of the East. The city is home to a wealth of talented entrepreneurs and invests in a variety of industries such as technology, healthcare, retail, real estate, and more.

Here are 11 startups from New York that you should know:

Peloton: Peloton is a fitness startup that offers interactive fitness classes via streaming video. Peloton has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and its products are now popular worldwide.

Oscar Health: Oscar Health is a digital healthcare company that offers health insurance through a user-friendly platform. The company has successfully expanded its market share in the United States in recent years.

WeWork: WeWork is a company that offers flexible workspaces. It has expanded rapidly in recent years and has offices in many countries around the world.

Compass: Compass is a real estate technology startup that offers a platform for buying and selling real estate. The company has revolutionized the real estate market in recent years by creating innovative technologies and facilitating transactions that were traditionally associated with high costs and inconvenience.

Harry’s: Harry’s is an online retailer of razor blades and grooming products for men. The company quickly made a name for itself by offering high-quality products at an affordable price.

Rent the Runway: Rent the Runway is an online rental service for designer clothing and accessories for women. The company quickly gained popularity through its innovative business strategy, which allows women to wear luxury clothing at affordable prices.

Warby Parker: Warby Parker is an eyewear company that has revolutionized the eyewear industry through its affordable prices and innovative online sales.

Blue Apron: Blue Apron is an online meal delivery service that delivers all the necessary ingredients for meals at home. The company has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now popular in many countries worldwide.

Glossier: Glossier is a cosmetic startup that offers skincare and makeup products for women. The company has gained rapid popularity in recent years by prioritizing user-friendliness and minimalist design.

Squarespace: Squarespace is a company that offers a platform for creating websites and e-commerce websites. The company quickly made a name for itself by offering a user-friendly platform and a wide selection of templates.

Zola: Zola is an incredibly intuitive platform that makes it easy for couples to create stylish and personalized wedding invitations and manage their gift registry. With Zola, couples can manage their guest list, collect RSVPs, and register gifts from a variety of vendors – all in one place. Zola also has an extensive collection of resources and tools to help couples plan their wedding, from creating a timeline to selecting wedding photographers. Overall, Zola has set a new standard for online wedding planning and is a fantastic resource for couples looking to take their wedding to the next level.

The New York startup scene is characterized by its diversity and innovation. The city is a melting pot of people from around the world who bring their ideas and talents to the city. The city also has a strong infrastructure, including some of the best universities and research institutions in the world, which serve as a breeding ground for innovation. Additionally, New York has a culture of risk-taking and entrepreneurship that enables people to take risks and realize new ideas. The combination of these factors makes the New York startup scene one of the most exciting and dynamic in the world.

Image by Susanne Weizhofer on Pixabay

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