Accelerator and Incubator programmes
Impact StartUp Partnership
Wilstar entered into a partnership with Impact StartUp in 2019. The aim of this partnership is to form a Norwegian accelerator program for 2020 which will strengthen the Nordic region's leading ecosystem for social entrepreneurs with cutting-edge expertise and resources within social impact.
Impact StartUp is a six-month accelerator program for startup companies that solves societal challenges. Through this program, the social entrepreneurs will help develop a sustainable business model with strategies and tools for social and environmental goal management, financing and scaling.
The program is based on a model from Denmark initiated and further developed in Norway by Ferd Social Entrepreneurs. Together with experts from Sweden, Denmark and Finland, the program is now being rolled out across the Nordic region.
The social entrepreneurs participating in the accelerator receives:
BUSINESS
Weekly shoulder to shoulder assistance from business advisor
PRACTICAL WORK
Hands-on development of the company's main areas
COMMERCIALISATION
We provide support for developing the commercial and social potential of the social entrepreneur’s solution
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
We strengthen the social entrepreneur´s ability to measure and control for results on multiple bottom lines.
SYSTEM UNDERSTANDING
System understanding and the opportunity to get to know the public sector
NETWORKING
Experience and knowledge sharing with other social entrepreneurs as well as experts on social entrepreneurship and social innovation
INVESTOR AND CUSTOMER CONTACT
We introduce you to financing partners, social investors and potential customers
FINANCING
Potential partial financing of key projects
Impact StartUp partnership
Wilstar entered into a partnership with Impact StartUp in 2019. The aim of this partnership is to form a Norwegian accelerator program for 2020 which will strengthen the Nordic region's leading ecosystem for social entrepreneurs with cutting-edge expertise and resources within social impact.
Impact StartUp is a six-month accelerator program for startup companies that solves societal challenges. Through this program, the social entrepreneurs will help develop a sustainable business model with strategies and tools for social and environmental goal management, financing and scaling.
The program is based on a model from Denmark initiated and further developed in Norway by Ferd Social Entrepreneurs. Together with experts from Sweden, Denmark and Finland, the program is now being rolled out across the Nordic region.
The social entrepreneurs participating in the accelerator receives:
BUSINESS
Weekly shoulder to shoulder assistance from business advisor
PRACTICAL WORK
Hands-on development of the company's main areas
COMMERCIALISATION
We provide support for developing the commercial and social potential of the social entrepreneur’s solution
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
We strengthen the social entrepreneur´s ability to measure and control for results on multiple bottom lines.
SYSTEM UNDERSTANDING
System understanding and the opportunity to get to know the public sector
NETWORKING
Experience and knowledge sharing with other social entrepreneurs as well as experts on social entrepreneurship and social innovation
INVESTOR AND CUSTOMER CONTACT
We introduce you to financing partners, social investors and potential customers
FINANCING
Potential partial financing of key projects
Wilstart
Wilstar is passionate about early-stage social entrepreneurs who seek to create a better world. We therefore offer expertise, networking opportunities as well as other capacity building assistance to driven social entrepreneurs who we feel can create lasting and sustainable social change in new and innovative ways.
Our WilStart partnerships includes:
EZINNE ATHLETICS
Ezinne Athletics (EA) is a unique sports programme for all fitness-loving girls aged 10-16 years. According to a report, which was submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Culture (2014), it was concluded that there is a worryingly low proportion of minority girls in organized sports in Norway. EA is specially designed for girls from multicultural backgrounds and strives to develop the girls to the level they want to reach in athletics. For some, the motivation is the training itself, for others it is the desire to become a top athlete. EA covers both needs. EA considers it important to include the parents' voices and perspectives, as well as making events specifically aimed at mothers and daughters. This helps to ´defuse´ sport for minority girls. EA wants to encourage and nurture girls' potential and believes that economy, experience, gender and religion should not be barriers to participation or inclusion in sports. More role models with minority backgrounds in sport are needed, especially girls, EA will help create these. Positive role models can aid in attracting and recruiting even more girls from minority backgrounds and getting them into sports. Behind Ezinne Athletics (EA) is Ezinne Okparaebo. Ezinne is a Norwegian is a track and field sprint athlete and is Norway's fastest woman to date. EA is inspired by Ezinne's story and the journey towards becoming Norway's fastest woman. As a girl with a multi-cultural background, and a long commute to training facilities, she experienced several challenges in pursuit of her goals. As a result, Ezinne wants to help other girls overcome these challenges, so that they can reach their full potential, in a safe environment. EA also has a vision of working globally for gender equality and ensuring women and girls´ rights.
WilStart
EZINNE ATHLETICS
Ezinne Athletics (EA) is a unique sports programme for all fitness-loving girls aged 10-16 years. According to a report, which was submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Culture (2014), it was concluded that there is a worryingly low proportion of minority girls in organized sports in Norway. EA is specially designed for girls from multicultural backgrounds and strives to develop the girls to the level they want to reach in athletics. For some, the motivation is the training itself, for others it is the desire to become a top athlete. EA covers both needs. EA considers it important to include the parents' voices and perspectives, as well as making events specifically aimed at mothers and daughters. This helps to ´defuse´ sport for minority girls. EA wants to encourage and nurture girls' potential and believes that economy, experience, gender and religion should not be barriers to participation or inclusion in sports. More role models with minority backgrounds in sport are needed, especially girls, EA will help create these. Positive role models can aid in attracting and recruiting even more girls from minority backgrounds and getting them into sports. Behind Ezinne Athletics (EA) is Ezinne Okparaebo. Ezinne is a Norwegian is a track and field sprint athlete and is Norway's fastest woman to date. EA is inspired by Ezinne's story and the journey towards becoming Norway's fastest woman. As a girl with a multi-cultural background, and a long commute to training facilities, she experienced several challenges in pursuit of her goals. As a result, Ezinne wants to help other girls overcome these challenges, so that they can reach their full potential, in a safe environment. EA also has a vision of working globally for gender equality and ensuring women and girls´ rights.
Marine Environment
A PLASTIC PLANET
Wilstar has been a partner of A Plastic Free Planet (APFP) since 2017, supporting their mission to turn off the plastic tap. APFP is not focused on recycling, but rather on the absolute reduction of production and use of single-use plastics e.g. food and drink packaging and to drive the change towards sustainable and responsible alternatives. Their belief is that the current use of plastic is harming both our planet and our health.
We have one ocean and one planet. One country’s plastic trash is another country’s pollution. The plastic disaster is caused by all of us and needs to be solved by all of us. Collaboration is the only way we will succeed. APFP are pro-business and work collaboratively with all stakeholders - industry, retailers, packaging suppliers, schools, media, NGOs, Government and the UN to accelerate the pace of essential change. APFP initiatives will be open source and go beyond borders to create change wherever possible.
APFP will focus on four key pillars to achieve its single goal; media, industry, education and engagement. Together, these pillars create strong foundations for a powerfully effective campaign. Each one interlocks with the other to ensure the drive to reduce the use of plastic in food and drink packaging. We will be changing the world’s attitude to plastic in this generation, with equal emphasis on galvanising action from the public, retailers and manufacturers, healthcare professionals, media and very importantly, from governments and legislators worldwide.
MEDIA
Continuing their strong media spotlight creating public awareness and demand.
INDUSTRY
Working with industry, brands and retailers on sollutions. The first Plastic Free Aisle and later, Supermarket will be in mainland Europe and will be championed by the APFP communications team worldwide. The APFP´s ´Plastic Free TM´ symbol will become an internationally recognised assurance for consumers who demand the choice to buy non-plastic packaging.
EDUCATION
Educating our next generation is key. APFP education programmes will be easily adapted to different cultures and languages.
ENGAGEMENT
Accelerating legislative and policy change. Partnerships will stretch from Europe to US and China, changing legislation and policy where it is most needed.
PROJECT
Wilstar started supporting A Plastic Free Planet (APFP) financially in January 2018. APFP´s goal is to ignite and inspire the world to turn off the plastic tap. We cannot save our oceans, our soil or the health of future generations without dramatic reduction in plastic production. The first year in partnership with APFP has seen impressive impact and true progress in reaching their goal.
IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
- In February, APFP in partnership with Ekoplaza, opened the doors to the world’s first Plastic Free Aisle in Amsterdam. The launch was covered extensively in the international news.
- Frans Timmermans, the Vice President of EU, invited APFP to speak at his Citizens Dialogues in Utrecht, they also presented at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- APFP´s new website www.aplasticplanet.com was also launched. The website has a growing library where you can learn about plastic-free packaging solutions. Additionally, the library produces papers which clarify the sometimes confusing and misleading “language of plastic”. Examples of this are descriptors such as ‘bioplastics’, ‘degradable plastics’, and ‘green-plastics’ which are terms used for both conventional, indestructible plastic as well as compostable biomaterials.
- On 16th May, APFP launched its Plastic Free Trust MarkTM in the UK following the success of the Plastic Free Aisle launch with Ekoplaza a few months earlier. To be awarded the mark, brands are required to go through a rigorous evaluation process, where every element of their final packaging is assessed, including the inks and glues. To date, over 70 brands have contacted APFP for materials ranging from carton board, wood pulp, glass, metal and certified-compostable biomaterials. On the day of the launch, Iceland, led by its inspirational director, also became the first UK supermarket to introduce the Mark on three products – calculating this will save 600 tonnes of plastic per year alone.
- London’s Packaging Innovations Fair 2018, Europe’s definitive packaging event, took place in September, co-located with Luxury Packaging, the UK’s only designated luxury packaging show. After meeting with APFP, the show directors agreed to fund a special APFP stand to step up and get involved in the plastic debate. The stand had the highest footfall of all stands at the show and APFP´s “The Big Plastic Debate” had the highest attendance of any keynote.
- The Plastic Free Aisle campaign was shortlisted for awards including the Environmental Campaign of Year, European Excellence Award, Design Museum Awards and won International Campaign of the Year.
- In October, APFP where invited to speak at the ‘Beyond Plastic’ event at the British Embassy in Rome helping to build international awareness and networks surrounding the plastics issue.
- Over the Autumn APFP moved into the policy arena and started working closely in consultation with DEFRA and the Treasury on the new UK Environmental Strategy and the opportunity to use the fiscal system to accelerate change. The UK Autumn Budget proposed a new tax on all plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content after meeting with APFP.
- At the end of 2018, APFP will be launching the new APFP Commitment Mark. This Mark will be awarded to businesses demonstrating a serious, honest, open, collaborative and measurable approach to reducing their dependence on plastic. Over the last year, APFP have met and worked with many businesses that want to change their use of plastic. They recognise that any announcements and initiatives can easily be perceived as marketing ploys and they don´t want to declare their intentions without support. Our APFP Working Towards Plastic Free Commitment Mark is created for such businesses. To qualify, every business sign up to 5 strong commitments such as undergoing a plastic audit, appointing a board level plastic changemaker, reporting regularly on plastic reduction progress.
- On November 8th, Thornton’s Budgens supermarket in London became the first supermarket in the UK to introduce “Plastic Free Zones”. APFP removed all the plastic packaging from 1,800 products in only 10 weeks.
- On 5th June, World Environment Day, APFP launched the World’s first - One Plastic Free Day. APFP were very pleased with the response that engaged ¼ billion people globally with 125 media articles. Proven to drive massive shifts in behaviour, international days are becoming increasingly successful at communicating and inspiring change.
Blue Ventures
Wilstar has been a partner of Blue Ventures since 2015, supporting their work in Timor-Leste. Blue Ventures develops transformative approaches for catalysing and sustaining locally led marine conservation. They concentrate their work in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies, and protect marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal people.
Timor-Leste - a country at the heart of the Indo- Pacific coral triangle is home to the highest levels of marine biodiversity on earth. Despite its globally important marine biodiversity, Timor- Leste’s history of recent conflict and long struggle for independence have hampered the development of conservation efforts, which remain undeveloped relative to neighbouring countries in the region.
Given the critical importance of the country’s marine environment to its coastal populations, who remain some of the region’s poorest and most vulnerable, there is a critical need to help build the island’s capacity for sustainable marine and fisheries management. Responding to this, Blue Ventures is working with coastal communities, government agencies, and conservation and development organisations to help develop new approaches to engaging coastal communities in marine conservation. Their marine conservation volunteer program helps develop village-level economic incentives for communities to support conservation, and provide a financially sustainable framework for future marine protection efforts. As part of this volunteers will also help collect critical data on the status of marine resources, in particular threatened seagrass beds, which are home to numerous vulnerable species, including dugongs.
Wilstar extended the partnership with Blue Ventures in 2019 by three more years. Building on the foundation of a marine conservation partnership launched in Timor-Leste with support from Wilstar in 2015, Blue Ventures is now planning to scale up the project’s work pioneering new approaches to locally-led marine conservation.
Over the next three years, Blue Ventures will embark on an ambitious programme to replicate locally led marine stewardship efforts across seven sites in Timor-Leste, increasing incomes to coastal communities through replicable low impact models for community-based tourism, and establishing a national learning network to share best practice in community-based marine conservation at scale.
Across all these activities Blue Ventures will maintain its commitment to supporting a new generation of young Timorese conservationists to play a leadership role in building a new movement for locally led marine conservation.
PROJECT GOALS:
- Conservation Replication: Blue Ventures aim to expand the scope of our conservation activities − community-based fisheries and habitat monitoring and use of Tara Bandu for marine management − to two new mainland communities.
- Accelerating and Diversifying Community-Based Tourism: Where there is an opportunity and demand, Blue Ventures will support communities in establishing community-based tourism and homestay initiatives and experiences beyond Atauro.
- Sharing Success: As our efforts expand, Blue Ventures will work with community partners to proactively assist emerging learning networks and communities of practice in marine conservation across Timor-Leste.
- Nurturing Local Leadership in Conservation: Blue Ventures are committed to building local leadership for conservation, providing our Timorese staff and community partners with support and training in SCUBA diving, marine science, habitat and fisheries monitoring, English language and IT.
- Results: By supporting communities to scale up locally-led marine conservation and livelihood diversification efforts and investing in the training and capacity building of community conservationists, this project will accelerate the growth of adoption of community-led marine conservation efforts in Timor-Leste.
Circular Cleanup
Wilstar, as part of our mission to protect the oceans from threats such as plastic, joined the project Circular Cleanup in 2018. Circular Cleanup is initiated by the Norwegian Shipowners´ Association and WWF – bringing together forces from both the ocean and waste industries to create new initiatives for cleaner oceans.
Plastic waste filling our oceans is the world´s fastest growing environmental challenge. Every year 8 million tonnes of plastic reach the ocean, and if we continue with today´s practice there might be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050. In order to ensure a clean and healthy ocean we need to prevent more plastic from reaching the ocean and at the same time clean up what is already there.
«With world-leading expertise in both marine-based business and waste management Norway has a good base for solving this issue. We need to increase our efforts to create new solutions and new policy instruments for cleaner oceans.» -Harald Solberg, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association
In the innovation project Circular Cleanup, we take on the challenge to create new initiatives and new value chains for more efficient cleanup of plastic waste. In a six-month innovation process, facilitated by Æra Strategic Innovation, we create a portfolio of solutions for cleaner oceans, demonstrating how we can move from today´s practice to next practice.