The Green Innovation Challenge Themes

5PRING has launched a Green Innovation Challenge in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) and Suez. This challenge supports the WMCA’s wider ambitions to deliver on WM2041 programme to tackle climate change and Suez’s ambition around circular economy and reducing water consumption.

5PRING’s Green Innovation Challenge will help to drive the delivery of the ambitious targets set out in the West Midlands’ WM2041 strategy, and the programme is encouraging small businesses looking to develop cutting edge technologies that reduce carbon emissions to apply and accelerate their solutions.

Applications will close on 13 November 2020. The programme will run from 4 January 2021 to 2 April 2021.

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Water

How can we help businesses use less water?

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Water is a precious resource that is becoming more scarce, with predictions suggesting UK demand may outstrip supply within the next 25 Years. As a result, water availability and management is an increasingly important factor for businesses. Reliable water data is critical to help businesses understand their environmental impact and ensure continuity through assessing the best options for efficient use, reuse and reduction of water within their processes.

Behavioural Change

This challenge focuses on solutions that make it easy to alter behaviours to be more environmentally conscious.

The move to a greener economy requires a change in behaviours on an individual and businesses level. Public consultation has identified that people want to stay informed about regional climate change plans and desire more support and advice on how they can take action.

Circular Economy

This challenge focuses on solutions to address the issue of reducing waste and pollution through enabling and encouraging businesses to reuse and repurpose products and materials.

A circular economy designs-out waste and pollution by reusing and repurposing products and materials that would normally be discarded. This diverts material from landfill, protecting our limited natural resources and reducing carbon emissions.

Built Environment

This challenge focuses on solutions for providing greater energy efficiency in existing and new builds.

An estimated 600,000 homes in the West Midlands require energy efficiency measures to bring them up to a reasonable standard. WMCA has committed to delivering this for 50,000 homes by the end of 2022. The authority also aims to have a zero carbon homes standard across new builds in the region by 2025 – using digital construction methods to create carbon neutral homes.

Energy

This challenge focuses on solutions that support and accelerate the move to low carbon power systems, as well as those that support the implementation of local energy systems.

To achieve net zero carbon by 2041, the West Midlands needs to shift to a decarbonised energy system.

Transport

This challenge focuses on solutions and encourages businesses to deliver more sustainable modes of transport and make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions.

One of the challenges facing the West Midlands and the UK is decarbonising its transport networks. A shift to sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, walking, and electric vehicles is required.

Natural Capital

This Challenge focuses on solutions that address how different groups of people use and access green space across the UK.

During lockdown, lack of access to high-quality green space saw a decline in wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, across the West Midlands and the UK, those from deprived areas also typically have less access to green space.

FAQs

How are companies chosen?

Companies are invited to apply through an open competition. The start-ups will be chosen by an expert panel made up of the 5PRING partner organisations, alongside a panel of investors.

How long is the programme?

The programmes is 3 months long and activities will be 3 days a week.

Will 5PRING take any equity in the companies?

5PRING does not take equity in the companies.

Companies supporting the start-ups are welcome to invest if they wish and the companies can agree to this, but this is not a requirement for entry to the programmes.

Are the companies required to licence or transfer any of their intellectual property to 5PRING?

No. By participating in the programme, the companies are not required to give away any rights to their IP whatsoever.

Are there any restrictions on the type of companies that can apply?

The accelerator is for companies who are registered as a UK company, and who have or are planning to have an active presence in the UK.

What facilities are made available during the exploit programme?

The companies are given desk space in a high-specification dedicated accelerator facility in the West Midlands, with internet access, meeting rooms, event space and kitchen. In addition they will have access to a private 5G testbed.

What happens when the programme ends?

By connecting companies with the wider ecosystem during the programme, they are better positioned to secure contracts and investment and become self-sustaining or, where appropriate, to submit a strong application for other leading UK Accelerators.

You will also become a part of both 5PRING and Wayra UK’s active Alumni community, who return regularly to provide updates and take advantage of the networking opportunities available at many of Wayra’s events.

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What does the 5PRING Exploit programme offer?

5PRING gives selected start-ups acceleration and pre-acceleration services (such as co-working space, 5G connectivity services, mentoring, access to the 5PRING partners networks and knowhow, training in entrepreneurship and business skills) in addition to these it also provides access to a private 5G network and testbed alongside technical expertise.

Where will the programme be based?

The Green Innovation Challenge will be based out of our Birmingham Accelerator. This is located at Bruntwood – Innovation Birmingham, Faraday Wharf, Holt St, Birmingham B7 4BB.

Is this only open to companies based in the West Midlands?

No, although we are based in the West Midlands we are open to applicants from anywhere in the world, the only requirement being that companies must be UK registered.

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