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Alex Newnes, 29, founded “PlantSea” to develop new materials from seaweed as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
The business was borne out of Alex and his two friends’ desire to tackle plastic pollution and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Since winning his first award, Alex has produced a range of new prototype materials, secured collaborative grant funding, moved to larger facilities, and expanded his team.
Alex said: “The business was founded in April 2020 amid the COVID pandemic, by myself and my two friends, Rhiannon and Gianmarco.
“We were each motivated to do something that had a bigger purpose and would make a difference to the wider community.
“After winning Innovate UK’s Young Innovator Award, I was given invaluable coaching and advice and the grant allowed us to make valuable progress with our business.
“The Young Innovators Next Steps Award will support us as we approach commercialisation and my long-term goal to prevent 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.”
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Alex joins a cohort of young people with business ideas that could change the world and will benefit from the £50,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching, and an allowance to cover living costs.
In total, almost £1million has been awarded – with each winner given £50,000 to grow and scale their business during the 12-month programme.
Other winning ideas included:
- A sustainable drinkware brand producing unique reusable bottles that can be dismantled for cleaning.
- An online platform that demystifies and streamlines the home buying process.
- Cutting-edge micro-turbines that allow the water industry to sustainably monitor pipelines.
Coinciding with this, “Innovate UK” is launching its biggest and most ambitious programme to tackle under-representation in innovation to-date, the “Diverse Innovators Award”.
This new programme builds upon the success of the Young Innovators awards, and is backed by a £6m budget.
It will allow Innovate UK to support even more young entrepreneurs, women founders and other communities who are underrepresented in innovation.
Science and technology secretary, Chloe Smith, said: “To see so many young innovators fizzing with ground-breaking ideas – from reducing food and clothing waste to supporting the blind – is testament to the dynamic spirit of our country.
“I have no doubt they will inspire the rest of their generation and those that follow.
Indro Mukerjee, chief executive of Innovate UK, said: “Innovate UK is committed to inspiring and supporting the next generation of innovators, as they will play a critical role in the UK’s future economy.
“The team congratulates the Young Innovators Next Step award winners and looks forward to seeing their businesses develop further.”
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