Winners of Climate-KIC Venture Competition announced

In 2015, Climate-KIC organises the fifth edition of their Venture Competition. The competition will see Climate-KIC start-ups, selected for the major impact they have on climate change, compete for the title of Europe’s Best Cleantech Start-up 2015.

The teams selected to take part in this year’s competition represent some of today’s most promising start-ups. Each of these start-ups has the potential to become a leader in Europe when it comes to providing commercial solutions to climate change. During the next few months, each national and regional Climate-KIC centre will organise a series of preliminary finals, with the best two teams progressing to the European Final.

The two start-ups representing Switzerland were selected on Wednesday at the Swiss Venture Competition finals. The two companies are Adaptricity and Zum guten Heinrich.

Adaptricity (left on the picture) develops innovative software products for the simulation, optimisation, and planning of electricity distribution grids. The spin-off of ETH Zurich focuses on novel features of so-called SmartGrids, such as distributed and renewable energy sources, demand-side response systems, and distributed storage devices. The first product, the simulation software “DPG.sim”, provides a comprehensive simulation environment for active distribution grids. It allows distribution system operators to integrate SmartGrid features into their grid planning processes. This enables optimal decision-making in costly grid upgrade projects and the improved utilization of the existing grid infrastructure

Using a cargo bike that transforms into a food stand, Zum guten Heinrich makes tasty and cheap menus available in Zurich and Berne. The menus are made from food that would otherwise have been thrown away due to its wrong size, shape or logistical reasons. Zum guten Heinrich provides menus made from food surplus which are attractive to the target group: urban professionals looking to satisfy their hunger for a tasty and sustainable lunch. The approach is scalable. If successful, new bikes will be bought and the kitchen capacity expanded. Another expansion path is setting up the business in other cities.

The European Venture Competition will be held during the Climate-KIC Innovation Festival. Birmingham will host this year’s edition, from 28 to 30 October 2015. On Wednesday the 28^th the semi-finals of the Venture Competition will take place with the big final on Thursday the 29^th. All finalists benefit from the opportunity to pitch to a group of potential customers and investors on an EU stage. In addition, the Venture Competition winners will receive a cash award of €40,000, while there’s €20,000 for the runner-up and €5,000 for third place.