GEN UK Chair, Marc Ortmans, revealed five finalists and the winner of the LeZero Innovation Prize global awards at a special awards ceremony held on December 9 at GEN UK’s Mobility Futures Forum co-hosted with the University of Birmingham Dubai on their campus during COP28.
LeZero is a global competition for entrepreneurs to present solutions that deliver net zero or zero carbon transportation modes and/or supporting infrastructure that is efficient, clean, sustainable and adhere to the UN’s Social Development Goals.
Over 60 startups from 32 countries across the GEN network took part. 16 submissions from 12 countries were selected to go forward to Stage 2, announced at the GEC in Melbourne, where their business plans were judged by two further international juries. Following the Stage 2 jury, 5 finalists were selected and confirmed by Professor Moreno (Paris), Babita Devi (Cambridge), Claudia Pignata (Venice) and Chairman of the Jury Robert Clarke (London). The five finalists selected come from New Zealand, Congo, Hungary, UK and Spain.
The winner of the inaugural LeZero Innovation Prize, Drift Energy, was awarded the LeZero at a ceremony held on the last day of Mobility Futures Forum, during COP28, in front of an international audience. Founder Ben Medland collected his award in person and will receive mentorship, publicity, and support to develop and grow their venture in 2024. Drift Energy uses carbon negative yachts to harvest green hydrogen from ocean winds.
‘We were delighted to receive such enthusiastic support for the inaugural LeZero Innovation Prize from the GEN community and see some extraordinary and exciting solutions from net zero startups’, said Marc Ortmans, Chair GEN UK.
LeZero Finalists:
- Ediwheel (Hungary) https://ediwheel.com/
- GreenBox (Republic of Congo) https://greenboxcg.com/
- Miivo Mobility (Spain) https://www.miivomobility.com/en
- TasmanIon (New Zealand) https://www.tasmanion.com
- Drift Energy (UK) https://drift.energy/
Follow on:
- Instagram: @lezero2023 @startupplanetorg @thegenuk
- Twitter: @lezero2023 @startupplanet_0 @thegenuk
- Facebook: @Startupplanetorg @LeZero @Global Entrepreneurship Network UK
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gen-uk
For further information contact:
Marc Ortmans
LeZero
A series of events designed to support Startup Planet. Created by GEN UK and Envirorally, LeZero aims to widen engagement with a range of sustainability stakeholder groups from entrepreneurs to policy makers, and investors to education as well as the general public. We hope to announce shortly two further LeZero initiatives. LeZero Dubai – the world’s largest zero carbon rally, and LeZero Academy – a mobility innovation accelerator, both set to take place during COP28 in the UAE.
Startup Planet
An event and community founded in 2021 by GEN UK and Danish Entrepreneurs at COP26 during Global Entrepreneurship Week, enabling the big conversation between entrepreneurs, policy makers and investors to fast-track progress towards Net Zero.
GEN UK is a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Network spanning 200 countries. GEN UK enables entrepreneurs to change the world, create jobs and grow the economy through leadership, networking and knowledge transfer.
Envirorally
A not-for-profit foundation operating international motorsport events for zero carbon vehicles. Dedicated to rally driving with a conscience - maximum adventure, zero carbon.