Berti reveals its green accelerator winners

Post Reporters

 

Three outstanding green businesses will get support to take them to the next level as winners of the first Berti Green Accelerator programme.

Launched earlier this year, the programme aims to help grow low carbon start-ups in the UK through a package of bespoke business support and funding. More than 80 businesses applied for the programme.

The final stage in the four-month process for the final six applicants was a dragons’ den style pitch to a panel of judges including former dragon James Caan, founder of Hamilton Bradshaw; Jeremy Leggett, founder and chairman of Solarcentury; Michael Liebreich, founder and chief executive of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, and Jacques Tredoux, Director of Berti Investments.

The three winners of the 2012 Berti Green Accelerator are:

  • Breathing Buildings: a Cambridge based company which uses its patented e-stack technology to provide a cost effective, energy efficient alternative to traditional ventilation methods.

“Breathing Buildings has a simple, patented solution to provide natural ventilation in buildings, saving money and improving ventilation. As a thermodynamics guy, how could I not like it?” – Michael Liebreich

  • Firefly Solar: a Brighton based company, which design and manufactures off-grid, portable and permanent solar-powered generators. They provid power for everything from UK events to work connecting rural communities in developing countries.

“The judges were unanimous in their selection of Firefly. Andy was exceptional and pitched very well. His ability to respond to the intense questioning of the panel was right on point and I have every confidence that through the Accelerator, Andy will lead Firefly to greater heights.” – James Caan

  • Valueform: a company which has developed biodegradable food packaging made from straw; the first of many products in its quest to do away with plastic packaging.

“Valueform is an interesting early stage proposition: they have solved the problem of replacing plastic supermarket punnets with ones incorporating straw, using conventional packaging machines. The team is super-passionate about their vision and very impressive” – Michael Liebreich

The Berti Green Accelerator was established to help support and grow the UK's cleantech sector through a new approach, providing intelligent capital, which combines business support and funding. Our first year has proved there is a real demand for this tailored support and the Berti Green Accelerator will be back in 2013.

To follow the progress of the winners or for news about next year’s Berti Green Accelerator programme log onto bertiinvestments.com or follow Berti on twitter: