The five British start-ups with big green business ideas

Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge competition, hosted by People’s Postcode Lottery and its sister lotteries in Europe, is one of the world’s largest annual sustainability competitions.

The awards champion start-ups that successfully combine sustainability, entrepreneurship, and creativity to help tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges.

From the shortlist of 25, five British companies have been selected and are competing for a place in the final five:

• AEROPOWDER - enabling the local production of sustainable materials, anywhere in the world wherever there are waste feathers.
• Choose Packaging - A plastic-free packaging development company, striving to replace all single-use PET packaging. We have developed a technology that can provide a viable eco-alternative to plastic bottles.
• Material Evolution – producing smart, high performing, sustainable cement from waste materials and materials.
• Mimica - an award-winning social impact SME spearheading global food waste reduction & combating climate change through their Mimica Touch product.
• The Tyre Collective - spearheading the capture and monitoring of tyre wear, accelerating the shift towards zero-emission mobility.

The jury looks for innovative business plans that contribute to a more sustainable planet. At the competition’s grand final in Amsterdam, the winner will be awarded €500,000 while the runner-up will receive €200,000 and the three other finalists receive €100,000 each. In addition, all five finalists win a bespoke six-month business development programme.

Sigrid van Aken, ceo Novamedia/Postcode Lotteries and chair of the jury of Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge 2021, said: "Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge is a competition with a social mission to identify and support start-ups who are addressing the climate challenge in real time. The Challenge promotes the development of new green products and services that will speed up the transition towards a low carbon economy.

"This year’s competition is especially looking for brilliant sustainable solutions that players of our Postcode Lotteries can relate to, something they can use in daily life. There are strong contenders among the five British companies shortlisted, who each present an innovative approach to change the way a commodity is produced, to go some way to contributing towards a more sustainable planet.

"The programme is designed to attract the most sustainable business plan run by green start-ups, to help fight climate change. Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge will also provide the five finalists with mentorship and valuable connections to become investor ready."