This initiative aims to promote the creation and consolidation of companies or new lines of economic activity linked to the environment, as well as to channel investment towards sustainable ventures.
This initiative aims to promote the creation and consolidation of companies or new lines of economic activity linked to the environment, as well as to channel investment towards sustainable ventures.
On Monday, April 11, the Secretary of State for Climate Change, Teresa Ribera, presented the Emprendeverde Network, promoted by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs. He did so within the framework of a debate on green entrepreneurship and investment possibilities, which was held by investors, financiers, entrepreneurs and representatives of the Administration, at the headquarters of utopic_US in Madrid.
The Red emprendeverde is the first Spanish platform specialising in green business, aimed at entrepreneurs and investors.
With this initiative, co-financed by the European Social Fund, the Biodiversity Foundation wants to promote the creation and consolidation of companies or new lines of economic activity linked to the environment, as well as channel investments towards sustainable ventures.
The Secretary of State stressed that the change towards a more sustainable economy requires the creation and reconversion of companies, and this is the mission of this first network created specifically for the group of green entrepreneurs.
Together with Teresa Ribera, the presentation ceremony was attended by Enrique Gómez Espinar, CEO of the National Innovation Company (ENISA) of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade; Esteban Barroso, Chairman of Triodos Bank; Pedro Trucharte, member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Association of Business Angels (AEBAN) and entrepreneurs Esther García Martín, general director of RedEx comunidad, and Kepa Solaun, managing partner of Factor CO2 Integral Services, S.L.
SPECIALIZED NETWORK
It is a specialized and integrating network, which was born with a structure open to the incorporation of entrepreneurs, investors and those interested in entrepreneurship.
The project is launched with the support of three strategic partners representing public financing and private investment and financing: the National Innovation Company, SA (ENISA), a publicly-owned company attached to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade; the Spanish Association of Business Angels (AEBAN), which represents more than 400 private investors; and Triodos Bank.
The Network can be part of: new and consolidated entrepreneurs (professionals, SMEs and micro-SMEs); investors seeking economic returns linked to social and environmental benefits (business angels, investor groups, funds and financial institutions); interested in entrepreneurship (researchers, university and business school professors), representatives of administrations and civil society.
Green entrepreneurs are a heterogeneous group from various economic activities, although they all have in common the fact that they are indispensable actors in the change of model towards a new, decarbonised and sustainable economy.
The Emprendeverde Network channels public support, private investment and financing to green companies, i.e. companies that produce clean energy; that provide saving and efficiency services in water or energy management; that contribute to decarbonising the economy and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions; that minimise pollution and encourage the reuse and recycling of waste or that put ecological products on the market. Companies that also protect biodiversity and are committed to the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Network offers contact between entrepreneurs and investors, advice and training, a social network and a competition that rewards initiatives that are distinguished by their contribution to the sustainable economy. The Network also offers the possibility of exchanging experiences in a specific meeting forum, through the social networks of the Internet.
In addition to directly supporting green entrepreneurs, the platform will serve as a point of confluence and synergies with other initiatives to support entrepreneurship.
LAUNCH OF A CONTEST
Today a contest is also launched to reward those entrepreneurs who stand out for their contribution to the sustainable economy. With a total endowment of 150,000 euros in prizes, it will support green entrepreneurs, recognising their business ideas and business initiatives and helping them to make them a reality; that is, to create and consolidate their companies. The deadline for submitting applications is 31 October 2011.
Those interested in being part of the Emprendeverde Network and publicizing their company, their project or their investment interests, as well as establishing contacts and participating in the free services it offers, can register on the Emprendeverde Network website or send an email to redemprendeverde@fundacion-biodiversidad.es.
