Innovators for the built environment

We are looking for the most innovative business minds with potential solutions to help unlock transformative change in one of the most resource intensive, greenhouse gas emitting and least diverse industries on the planet: the building industry.

The built environment is responsible for almost one-third of total global energy related CO2 emissions. With the inclusion of emissions from construction, this share increases to 38 per cent.

Approximately 40 per cent of global materials are used for construction. In the European Union, current construction and demolition waste accounts for approximately 25-30 per cent of the total waste generated. What’s more, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors reports that of more than 134,000 members worldwide, women represent only 15 per cent. That proportion drops to 1 per cent for those who are LGBTQ, BAME or people with disabilities.

Intelligent design and planning from the outset is often the best way to achieve sustainability outcomes. However, the building industry also needs new products and services to enable a rapid transition from predominantly linear models to circular solutions and to find creative new ways to decarbonise. The retrofit agenda is a key element of this. There is also the challenge of how we adapt our buildings and communities effectively to ‘locked in’ climate change that we are already starting to experience.

This Accelerator aims to fast-track companies who are commercialising novel products and services in the built environment space. There is no fee and we do not take equity. Delivered over six weeks of interactive online sessions, with contributors from the University of Cambridge and experts from the built environment, investment and innovation communities, the focus will be to support small businesses with new products to bring to market or those with initial customers looking to take the next step.

Applications have now closed.

Who should apply

This programme is part funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, and is available for free to SMEs based in England, with priority given to those in parts of the East of England. 

We’re looking for small businesses with commercial propositions who are looking to bring new products or services to the market, or who have existing clients and are looking to grow. This is particularly in the areas of:

• Decarbonisation of buildings – technologies and business propositions to decarbonise construction of new buildings and retrofit applications, including the use of AI or other strategies to improve and monitor construction standards
• Materials & circularity – novel materials, 3D printing and new circular business models for construction materials and resources consumed during building lifetime, such as water
• Biodiversity – innovative approaches toencourage greater biodiversity in the built environment and assist with monitoring and enforcement regimes
• Climate adaptation and resilience – new products or services to create greater resilience to drought, higher summer temperatures, storms and flooding, for example, in ways that are low in embodied energy and do not create future waste issues
• People centred solutions –improving occupational health and safety for people in the construction industry and providing consumer education on sustainability behaviour relating to buildings to help encourage low impact lifestyles

Applicants must be based in England and be available to attend the full six-week programme (virtually, not in person). One representative from each company should attend for the whole programme, allowances will be made only for exceptional circumstances. For some sessions, more than one participant may be allowed. The online sessions will be delivered weekly from week commencing 19 April – 28 May, with a time commitment of between 2-4 hours per week.

Format

Six-week online Accelerator programme, 2-4 hours per week. Additional hours for ongoing 1-2-1 mentoring, 2 optional virtual networking events and demo day with investors.

Programme overview:

Session A

Week 1 - Meet the cohort
Break the ice and learn about each other’s businesses, challenges and opportunities.

Week 2 - Big picture overview
Explore global and domestic challenges and opportunities.

Week 3 - Innovation showroom
Share experiences with selected global innovators breaking new ground in the industry.

Week 4 - Intellectual property
How to protect, manage and commercialise IP.

Week 5 - Sustainability storytelling
Understand the value of storytelling in communicating your unique selling point and practice how to tell yours. 

Week 6 - Pitch camp 1: preparation
Learn how to pitch to different audiences, from investors to customers. Q&A session with investors.

Session B

Week 1 - Sustainability compass
Strength test your sustainability proposition.

Week 2 - Business audit
Creatively test your commercialisation plans.

Week 3 - Risk analysis
Learn how to improve your risk analysis skills.

Week 4 - Finance
Consider the options for finance that best suit your business and hone your bootstrapping skills.

Week 5 - Meet the corporate buyer
Q&A with a corporate buyer wanting to procure sustainably. 

Week 6 - Pitch camp 2: practice
Pitch to your peers and share feedback. 

Optional Extra

Demo day with investors and/or corporate buyers

Week 7 (8/6)

This programme will take place over six consecutive weeks, beginning w/c 19 April. The demo day will take place in early June. Confirmed dates and times for sessions will be shared soon.

Mentoring is offered on a one-to-one basis in addition to the programme above for up to three months from its start date, subject to mentor availability.

There are optional networking sessions between these virtual workshops to connect innovators with the wider sustainability ecosystem of CISL and its network.

Contributors

• Rozálie Ryčlová, Co-founder and COO, Thermulon Ltd
• Emma-Jane Houghton, Commercial Director, Cabinet Office
• Dr Jennifer Barrett, Director, coLAB and Senior Lecturer, University of Central Lancashire
• Indy Johar, Co-founder and Executive Director, Dark Matter Labs
• Peter Bachmann, Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure, Gresham House
• Nathan Wride, Head of Partnerships and Innovation, The Pallet Loop
• Emma Hoskyn, Head of Sustainable Solutions, JLL
• Jonny Anstead, Founding Director, TOWN
• Dr Amanda Wooding, Deputy Head of Life Sciences, Cambridge Enterprise
• Viola Jardon, Programme Manager, CISL
• Ian Robinson, Head of UX Design, Secret Escapes
• Shaunie Brett, Director, Sussed Sustainability Consulting
• Dr Michael Anstey, Partner, Cambridge Innovation Capital
• Erenn Ore, Programme Manager, CISL
• Angela Honegger, PhD Candidate, University of St. Gallen and External Consultant, Ashoka
• Roland Hunziker, Director, Sustainable Buildings and Cities, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
• Ehab Sayed, Founder and Director of Innovation, Biohm
• Ella Liu 刘文敏, Vice President, Winsun
• Agnes Czako, Co-founder and Managing Director, U-floor Technologies (Creators of AirEx)
• Muhammad Irfan, Director, IZ Energy