Global Awards News

LONDON: A raft of start-ups working at the interface between climate change and human health have received financial backing and commercial support from global healthcare business Bupa as the company focuses on the link between the environment and health.

Bupa is offering a mix of financial support, marketing expertise from its own people and further networking opportunities to 18 global start-ups which are pioneering products aimed at tackling climate change in innovative new ways.

The initiative will culminate in an inaugural event in London in July. Start-ups will have the opportunity to showcase their novel approaches to reducing emissions to potential investors and Bupa colleagues, as well as collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs.

The 18 finalists have been selected by Bupa employees across the world in a competition where they picked their preferred businesses from more than 1,000 hopefuls based on their positive impact to both healthcare and the environment. Colleagues made their selection from innovative start-ups based in countries including the UK, Spain, Hong Kong and Australia.

The 18 finalists each receive £25,000 (or local currency equivalent) to develop a minimum viable product and the winner receives £200,000 (or local currency equivalent) to help develop their product further. In addition, squads of Bupa colleagues join forces with the start-ups to brainstorm development ideas and further opportunities.

The shortlist of start-ups that went through the programme in 2022, some of whose products are already being trialled in Bupa hospitals and clinics throughout the world, include:

• SageTech Medical, which has created a process to capture and recycle waste anaesthetic gases. These volatile gases are highly damaging to the environment and significantly contribute to the total carbon footprint of healthcare
• Upcycled Medical, which manufactures personal protective equipment such as medical scrubs, gowns and workwear from waste plastic collected from the sea and landfill
• Cassava Bags, which has created a 100% natural biodegradable alternative to plastic bags made from the roots of cassava that can dissolve in boiling water in minutes

Iñaki Ereño, Bupa’s Global CEO, said: “As a provider of healthcare services to millions of people across the world, we recognise the link between the environment and human health. We know that we cannot solve these global challenges on our own, so we are joining forces with others to make a difference.”

Alongside Bupa’s ongoing drive to achieve its net zero target by 2040, Iñaki said the initiative showed that by working with disruptive and promising start-ups, corporates can accelerate the transition that we urgently need. The eco-Disruptive programme also provides an opportunity for Bupa colleagues to learn agile ways of working from start-ups, and engages all of Bupa’s workforce on delivering its sustainability agenda.

“At Bupa we are working together with these promising new businesses to help them realise their potential in reducing carbon emissions,” added Mr Ereño. “This goes beyond financial support and involves our own people joining forces with their development team in order to help co-create.”