Uuvipak, a tech meets science innovator, has won the $50,000 top prize in the Nespresso StartCup Challenge, an initiative aimed at encouraging Australian startups to develop circular business ideas.
Uuvipak created a range of 100 per cent home-compostable and edible packaging, made from upcycled organic food waste. The company is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic pollution and change the way consumers approach packaging.
“After noticing the amount of packaging that we accumulated every day in our households, we decided to look for a better alternative to soft and hard single-use plastics,” Shafali Gupta and Andy Epifani, co-founders of Uuvipak said.
“Uuvipak was born to eradicate single-use plastic pollution by creating a circular economy: our products are made from 100 per cent upcycled clean organic food waste, without any chemical additives, and are able to biodegrade naturally after use. When you choose Uuvipak, you create zero landfill, don’t contaminate your food with microplastics, and produce zero emissions.”
This year’s runners-up, Gaia Project and Tackle Lab‘s Nogo Bin, each received $1000 in cash.
Jean-Marc Dragoli, MD of Nespresso, congratulated the Uuvipak team on a remarkable circular innovation that inspired both the StartCup Challenge jury and the public with its creativity and potential for positive impact.
“The quality and quantity of submissions leaves me without a doubt that Australia can move, powered by bright ideas and innovation, toward a shared net-zero, circular economy,” Jean-Marc added.
