The applications to the first round of our Sustainable Business Idea Competition 23/24, run in collaboration with Edinburgh Innovations, were a testament to the ingenuity and commitment of students at the University of Edinburgh in addressing pressing environmental and social challenges.
This biannual competition provides a stage for students with business ideas that aim to alleviate climate challenges and contribute to the transition to a net-zero future. Applicants had four categories to choose from for their ideas: Sustainable Land and Seas, the Future of Energy, Health in a Warming World, and other Sustainable/Climate Solutions. These categories align with the core pillars of climate research and innovation at the University of Edinburgh.
Meet the Visionaries: The Winners of the Sustainable Business Idea Competition
In Semester 1, four outstanding ideas were selected to be awarded £1,000 each, showcasing the diversity and depth of innovation within our student community:
Jake Blaisdell, Conrad Kissling, and Ahmed Omar were selected as one of the four winners for their business, Taste Don’t Waste. The team are creating a digital kitchen management tool to help reduce food waste. Their tool helps to digitise users’ kitchens, improving the way they plan, buy, track, & cook their food, thereby mitigating the rising carbon dioxide emissions associated with household food waste. The £1,000 will help to support the final stages of their MVP development.
The Fly Farmer
Shalom Oshi also secured £1,000 for her venture, The Fly Farmer, an agritech enterprise that is upcycling fruit waste to produce black soldier fly larvae in Nigeria. These larvae serve as a sustainable and highly nutritious protein source for fish and poultry feed. Shalom’s business contributes to both waste reduction and more environmentally conscious agricultural practices. The £1,000 from the competition will be used to execute the pilot phase of the Fly Farmer’s project in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Satellite Imagery for Ocean Health Monitoring
Sol White’s business idea, leveraging satellite imagery to monitor ocean health, was also chosen as a winner. The innovation involves using satellite data to classify ocean water types and track changes in marine environments, addressing the lack of quantifiable temporal data on these critical ecosystems and enabling better protection of these habitats from the impacts of climate change. Sol will use the funds to build a website on which to test his prototype.
Tracy Ahumuza’s MilkmATTAs, a community-based platform that connects breastfeeding mothers in Uganda, with lactation experts, and families in need, received the final £1,000. The platform facilitates resource access, consultations, and breast milk donations within a trusted network. The business aims to promote breastfeeding, reduce the demand for resource-intensive formula production, and ensure equitable access to safely donated breastmilk for all newborns in Uganda. Tracy will use the prize to complete the BETA version of her platform.
Celebrating Success: Insights from Student Entrepreneur Alex Speakman
The winners were announced at an awards ceremony featuring Alex Speakman, founder and CEO of E.V.A. Biosystems. Alex’s venture focuses on advanced bioplastics designed to sense their surroundings and break down in specific environments, contributing to a more sustainable future. Alex, a recent PhD graduate from the University of Edinburgh, shared tips from his ongoing entrepreneurial journey, helping to inspire the next generation of climate innovators.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Interested in joining the thriving culture of innovation and sustainability among students at the University of Edinburgh? The Edinburgh Earth Initiative, in partnership with Edinburgh Innovations, actively supports students who are leading the way in tackling global challenges. As proud supporters of these impactful initiatives, we encourage aspiring student entrepreneurs to apply to the next round of competition and explore other opportunities with Edinburgh Innovations:
Sustainable Business Idea Competition – Deadline 10am, 19th April
Edinburgh Earth Initiative sponsored Startup Summer Accelerator – Deadline 2nd April
Got any questions? Email sarah.gibbens@ei.ed.ac.uk to speak to Sarah, our Earth Enterprise Officer
