‘Think Beyond Plastic' Seeks Disruptive Solutions To Plastic Pollution Crisis

February 14, 2013

Innovation contest invites entrepreneurs to submit business plans for chance at $50k investment

San Francisco, CA /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - Plastic Pollution Coalition announced that it is accepting applications for Think Beyond Plastic, a contest for entrepreneurs working on products, services, materials and infrastructure solutions that result in a measurable reduction in plastic pollution. Deadline for submissions is March 10, 2013.

Eligible contestants will compete for an investment of $50,000 for an existing business, or a $10,000 investment for the most innovative business concept. The prize is underwritten by A-Spark Good Ventures, an (impact) investment company from The Netherlands. To apply, visit www.ThinkBeyondPlastic.com.

The contest will be juried by Eben Bayer (Ecovative), Mike Biddle (MBA Polymers), Julie Corbett (Ecologic), Adam Lowry (Method), Dr. Ramani Narayan (Michigan State University), Mike Velings (A-Spark Good Ventures) and Adam Werbach (Yerdle).

The presentation of awards will take place June 13-14, 2013 in Berkeley, CA, in front of an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, journalists, and innovators.

"A-Spark gladly supports good ideas to reduce the amount of single-use plastics around the globe. We strongly believe that good businesses that contribute to a better world will play a huge role in our common future. Single use plastics are a global problem. We need many solutions," said Mike Velings of A-Spark Good Ventures.

"Plastic pollution is a problem that the world has just begun to comprehend. Recycling is not an adequate solution to the increasing consumption of disposable plastic. We seek disruptive solutions that will reduce the planetary plastic footprint," said Daniella Russo , co-founder and executive director of Plastic Pollution Coalition.

Think Beyond Plastic (www.ThinkBeyondPlastic.com) is a project of the Plastic Pollution Coalition and is dedicated to fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in addressing the plastic pollution crisis.

Founded in 2009, Plastic Pollution Coalition (www.PlasticPollutionCoalition.org) is a global alliance working towards a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on people, animals and the environment.

A-Spark Good Ventures (http://www.a-spark.nl) invests in (social) entrepreneurs worldwide, giving an impulse to realize innovative projects and ideas. They look for, select and invest in ideas that are commercially interesting, innovative and preferably good for our planet, our communities and for future generations.

SOURCE: Plastic Pollution Coalition

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