Stora Enso selects start-ups for second Accelerator program

The program provides an opportunity for disruptive start-ups and Stora Enso to actively ideate and innovate new products and technologies. This year’s program focuses specifically on the circular economy, especially in regard to circular options, raw material management, packaging, separation and sorting, and energy.

After submitting a written application and video, more than 85 start-ups were evaluated and filtered down to the top 40. Reviewed by Stora Enso scouts and Vertical Accelerator, 20 were invited to a two-day event for presentations and intensive interviews. A shortlist of 12 presented to Stora Enso’s group leadership team for the selection of the final six:

• Effa, a disposable eco-clean toothbrush made of paper;
• RePack, a reusable packaging service;
• Alucha, a developer of waste recovery and recycling technology;
• Biomass specialist Bloom;
• MiWa, which has developed and operates a system to simplify and improve the distribution and sales of packaging-free goods; and
• SFTec, which has developed a cost-effective, scalable and mobile drying technology to facilitate reuse of materials.

Over the next few months, the six start-ups will work side-by-side with Stora Enso participants, delving into and advancing know-how, capabilities, technologies and market opportunities. Co-location takes place at Vertical Accelerator.

Malin Bendz, executive vice president, HR at Stora Enso said: ‘With global megatrends, the circular economy will play a significant role in business and society in the coming years. We are teaming up with start-ups to further explore how Stora Enso can best contribute.

‘We have been greatly encouraged by our first Accelerator program, which has resulted in two ongoing partnerships with Sulapac and Trä Group building on renewable solutions.’