The Biodiversity Foundation has resolved the in-kind prizes of the first instalment of the emprendeverde competition, recognising the work of six entrepreneurs who develop projects related to sustainable transport and mobility, energy saving and efficiency, the distribution of ecological products, biomass and environmental engineering.

The purpose of the emprendeverde contest is to reward those entrepreneurs who stand out for their contribution to the sustainable economy, helping them to create and consolidate their company and recognizing their ideas and initiatives.

In the first period, which ended on June 30, 2011, nearly 40 applications were received, including entrepreneurs and green companies. The projects presented at this first deadline have a very varied distribution by sectors of activity linked to the environment. Thus, 49% of the applications correspond to Category 1 (New business initiative); 19% to Category 2 (New line of business linked to the environment in an existing company), and 32% to Category 3 (Existing company with a maximum of 5 years of experience).

The projects selected as winners of the in-kind awards of this first term are the following:

– Eco2Next Solutions, S.L., a service company for the reduction of energy expenditure in common services in communities of owners and comprehensive management of electric vehicle charging in them.      

– Isa-Bel Hiking Shop, a business that distributes high-end products for hiking and adventure sports, as well as tourist services and sustainable mobility.                     

– Technet sustainability in transport, S.L., a technology-based company specialising in the control and measurement of real emissions of transport pollutants through the use of RSD (Remote Sensing Device) technology, together with advisory services on sustainability in the transport sector. It has a new online platform “Reto 50” for the management and control of both emissions and consumption of the circulating vehicle fleet.

 – Elittoral, a marine environmental consultancy with a wide range of services: from field work to cabinet simulation of marine physical, chemical and biological processes. 

– Biomasa Canarias S.L., an energy services company dedicated to the sale and installation of renewable and highly energy-efficient equipment (biomass combustion facilities). 

– Dinamo Papelerias Sostenibles, a company dedicated to the e-commerce of ecological, fair and economical stationery and office material. 

The proposed awards cover a wide range of support aimed at the creation, consolidation and growth of sustainable business initiatives. Thus, the winners will be able to receive support in the search for and negotiation of private financing, startup coaching, making informative videos and/or specialized advice on commercialization and marketing.

This contest was launched last April to reward those entrepreneurs who distinguished themselves for their contribution to the sustainable economy. With a total endowment of 150,000 euros in prizes (100,000 euros in kind and 50,000 euros in economic prizes), this initiative aims to support green entrepreneurs, recognizing their business ideas and business initiatives. Up to 31 October 2011, the date on which the deadline for submitting applications ended, nearly 200 proposals were received from entrepreneurs and green companies.

In this resolution, the first of the emprendeverde contest, prizes are assigned in kind, but in addition to these, within each category two other winners will be selected, which will be made public in the coming months. The first and second best candidatures within each category will receive 10,000 euros and 5,000 euros respectively. A special mention of 5,000 euros will also be awarded to highlight a business initiative that makes a significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity.