An international cohort of 11 innovative start-ups has been handpicked to take part in Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc’s (MSIP) latest accelerator programme, committed to amplifying sustainable mobility and decarbonisation.
Powered by Elevator and funded by Scottish Enterprise, the MSIP Accelerator was formed to support Scotland’s net zero carbon ambitions.
This is the second cohort of the programme and those selected to participate are developing a range of future thinking products and services, including electric vehicle mobility and charging technology, smart and sustainable energy solutions, and mobility as a service.
The 16-week programme works with companies that have developed products or service prototypes, to deliver investor-ready propositions focused on sustainable mobility and decarbonisation.
Launched on April 26, with online sessions allowing the cohort to receive dedicated insight and guidance from delivery partners and sector experts, including Ricardo and Productiv.
Included in this second cohort are several companies from outside of Scotland, offering the opportunity for sharing, learning and ongoing collaboration between the participants, across multiple geographies.
After the success of the inaugural programme which launched in 2020, Bob Andrew, Elevator’s MSIP Accelerator Manager, is delighted to be welcoming the new recruits, commenting: “I’m really excited to be working with this year’s founders, who are joining us from across Scotland and beyond – even as far as Oslo and Kerala. To have expanded this widely in only our second year is incredible. The diversity of the projects and participants really has gone beyond our expectations.
“The programme’s overarching goal is to supercharge environmentally-conscious start-ups so that collectively, we can make a difference. We hope our collaborative approach will make a real impact on the need for a greener, more responsible economy and in turn, boost the sector’s jobs market too.”
MSIP, a joint venture between Michelin, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise, is a world-class Innovation Parc in Dundee for sustainable mobility and decarbonisation, which aims to drive growth and diversity in the Scottish economy whilst addressing the global climate emergency.
Sarah Petrie, Innovation Director at MSIP added: “I’m really excited to welcome the second cohort of the MSIP Accelerator powered by Elevator. The 11 companies selected each demonstrate the qualities we are looking for in participants, with dynamic technology ideas, a real spread of location globally, and strong ambitions to contribute to the drive to net zero.
“By taking part in the intensive 16-week programme, we want to enable this cohort to each realise their growth ambitions and become investor ready, and I strongly believe that by the end of this programme they will be.
“It’s great to have companies from outside Scotland, demonstrating the reach that MSIP has developed in just over two years of operation.
“Diversity is also something that we strive for, particularly in the industry we are operating in, that has historically been male dominated. I’m really proud and excited to welcome three businesses to this cohort that are led by women, demonstrating the shift the sector is experiencing and inspiring others in this space.”
Companies selected for the 2021 MSIP Accelerator powered by Elevator are:
- Bounce: Bounce is a fully flexible EV mobility solution, offering EVs and chargers to both retail and commercial customers across Scotland.
- Boxergy: Integrates household renewable technologies with smart tariffs to anticipate demand and plan energy purchase, lowering cost and carbon.
- Caigan Vehicle Technologies: Aims to design and develop solutions that allow the conversion of existing vehicle fleets such as those of local authorities, logistics and first responders, to zero emissions vehicles.
- CityQ: Offers the first Car-eBike platform – a mix of an ebike and a "micro car" with pedals, regulated as an eBike. The product is made for both personal and cargo transport and upcoming city services.
- Cyclopic: An electric drive system that incorporates drive, braking, steering and suspension, providing an efficient drive unit that will be part of a modular EV Platform.
- Danu Robotics: A team of scientists and engineers developing advanced AI and robotic solutions for the benefit of the environment, such as a unique robotic solution for the recycling and waste management industry.
- DCarbon: Technologies and solutions to eliminate greenhouse gases and toxic air emissions from residential home heating systems such as log burners, that are significantly more cost-effective than conventional renewable energy heating methods.
- Empowering Local Energy (ELE) Group: ELE Group partners with communities, encouraging them to take an active role in their energy journeys, and will begin by offering consulting services related to holistic energy solutions, hybrid energy system modelling and design, project management, and community engagement.
- Kottackal: Kottackal is a vehicle charging experience platform offering innovative charging approaches while ensuring that all consumers can charge their vehicle in a way that is as straightforward and reliable as refuelling a traditional vehicle.
- QuickBlock: A flat-packed, 100% recycled plastic, lightweight, modular building system which offers an alternative to traditional materials. The blocks are easy to assemble and disassemble via a 'Lego' style interlocking method with no additional or specialist materials or tools required.
- Trapar: A mobility as a service platform where customers can plan, book and pay for their personalised hire, day tours, life-share car club, car rental, parking, cycle hire and commute all in one app.