Food System 6 and Huhtamaki announce circular economy programme participants

Non-profit business accelerator, Food System 6, and food packaging specialist, Huhtamaki, have announced the participants for their circular economy start-up programme. 

Following the launch of the programme earlier this year, eight start-ups have now been selected to receive mentorship, and up to $300,000 in grants, to develop innovative circular economy solutions. 

By providing mentorship, advice and networking opportunities, the venture aims to support young and promising companies that are working in areas such as waste management, sustainable packaging alternatives, new materials innovation and regenerative production models.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with these entrepreneurs leading change in the world,” said Caesaré Assad, CEO of Food System 6. “They are helping to solve some of the most urgent issues within circularity in our world today – from materials innovation to waste management solutions and community resiliency projects. These leaders are showcasing the depth and breadth of a systems-driven circular economy.”

The progrmme includes the following eight start-ups and their innovations:

Aheza Iwacu (Burundi) – Transforming household waste into a valuable resource through collection, composting, upcycling and education in Burundi.

Andes Ag (US) – Harnessing the power of microbes to increase the crop yield, nitrogen capture and carbon sequestration of plants.

Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive (CoFED) (US) – Reenvisioning and rebuilding food and land cooperative ecosystems through the transformational leadership of QTBIPOC young folx.

Matriark Foods (US) – Upcycling vegetable surplus to feed people and protect nature.

Mobius (US) – Converting organic waste into renewable chemicals and biodegradable materials.

Nafici Group Limited (UK) – EcoPulping turns agricultural waste into raw material for low-carbon, non-plastic packaging and paper.

Rhizoform (US) – Harnessing the power of fungi to ‘grow’ a bio-based alternative to plastic thermal food coolers, foodservice packaging, and more.

SoluBlue (UK) – Creating biodegradable seaweed-based packaging that extends shelf-life of fresh food and reduces plastic waste.

“In addition to adopting identified solutions more widely, we need to invest in developing the next generation of initiatives to tackle challenges and build a circular economy that takes us to the future,” says Charles Héaulmé, president and CEO of Huhtamaki.

“Through the Huhtamaki circular economy start-up programme and our partnership with Food System 6 we can help discover, develop and deliver such innovative solutions. I am excited to learn more about the eight finalists and I am proud that Huhtamaki can play a part in speeding up the commercialisation of their innovative solutions,” Héaulmé continued. 

The programme will host interactive online sessions with participants in October through November 2020, culminating with a week of immersive virtual programming.