New opportunities for sustainable start-ups
Start-ups across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong are being given the opportunity to receive funding from Bupa to develop pilot solutions that positively impact the environment and people’s health through the launch of the 2022 eco-Disruptive program.
Now in its second year, the eco-Disruptive program connects start-ups with dedicated Bupa teams while providing selected start-ups with around $40,000 in initial funding to create bold solutions to the biggest challenges threatening our planet. Selected start-ups will also go in the running to win more than $300,000 in funding to further develop its solution.
Roger Sharp, Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, Bupa Asia Pacific said the program aims to encourage innovation through a greater understanding of the link between people’s health and the health of planet earth.
Rather than a passive funding model, the eco-Disruptive program aims to energise our people to work actively with start-ups to conduct research, develop business plans and share our expertise in the health and care industry.
“With a commitment to become a Net Zero business by 2040, we want to start a movement for sustainable innovation by harnessing the passion of our people and the start-up communities across Asia-Pacific. Together we can help people live longer, healthier, happier lives and make a better world,” said Roger.
In 2021 Australian start-up, Airseed Technologies was named the Asia Pacific winner of the eco-Disruptive program, receiving funding to further develop its drone tree planting technology.
Andrew Walker, CEO and Co-Founder of Airseed Technologies said the companies’ participation in Bupa’s eco-Disruptive program accelerated its path to commercialisation.
“The attraction for us wasn’t the prize money, it was the access to people, to resources, to skills. Getting Bupa’s insight into how we could develop our corporate approach was really attractive,” Andrew said.
Bupa’s 2022 eco-Disruptive program is now open for expressions of interest from start-ups across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong with applications closing on 12 October.
For more information or to register your interest visit here.
