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Materials
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BULGARIA
Inspired by diverse natural materials, two European companies, Europack Bulgaria and Myco, Czechia, have embarked on their own unique journeys towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable future with invaluable support from the Enterprise Europe Network.
No stone unturned
For Anelia Pergoot, founder and managing director of Europack Bulgaria, it all began when she set out to find a sustainable alternative to packaging made from non-recyclable extruded paper. Dedicated research and testing led her to develop biodegradable stone paper – consisting primarily of limestone – in a production process that was not only more cost-efficient, but also reduced CO2 emissions by more than 70 %. After having achieved this milestone, how could she fulfil her ambitions for growth?
The Enterprise Europe Network has been supporting Europack Bulgaria on its journey since 2020. First, via an exchange internship through which the start-up received support in the development of its website, and then again in 2023 with a closer collaboration resulting in Europack Bulgaria’s participation in programmes such as the Techhouse Elevator accelerator programme.
The perfect pitch
Anelia describes her experience with the programme as "a real booster in the preparation for investor pitching." It helped the start-up to attract both private and institutional investors and win a new project under the AIBC programme of FundingBox. Called SoundArt, the project is exploring the potential of predictive machine maintenance using a sound tracking system and AI, for which the start-up is collaborating with two Austrian companies with very promising initial results.
"Our role as the Enterprise Europe Network team so far has mainly been to provide Europack Bulgaria with tailor-made information on suitable opportunities to find new business and knowledge partners," states Denitsa Marinova of the Network’s partner in Bulgaria, the Cluster of Mechatronics and Automation, responsible for nominating the start-up for the Techhouse accelerator. According to Denitsa, the programme’s training in pitching skills helped Europack Bulgaria take the step to enter the Turkish market. “The company is now negotiating with partners from Norway,” she added.
The right start
Czech biotech Myco’s opportunity to spread its wings with Network support also began in 2020, when they were looking for guidance on how to build a successful start-up and found it through Czechia’s Podnikni to! accelerator programme. Myco researches, develops and produces 100 % natural materials from fungal threads and agricultural and wood processing waste. It uses novel technologies that make their products economically viable for business partners. "The Network provided invaluable support, helping us navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and international growth," said Myco founder David Minařík. "Their expertise and resources were instrumental in our journey toward success!"
Those wings were then given the chance to soar further when Myco was nominated for the Techhouse Elevator programme by the JIC Enterpries Europe Network team in Czechia. The accelerator connected the start-up with key people in business in Graz, Austria. This is paving the way for further networking, collaboration and potential partnerships in the city in the future. David describes the Techhouse programme as 'instrumental' in connecting Myco with the contacts needed to improve their skills and broaden their business horizons.
Myco plans to raise funds to unlock potential by capitalising on its growth as a start-up. The aim is to multiply current technologies, its sights set on making a positive social and ecological impact.