GreenEvo – Green Technology Accelerator – Poland

GreenEvo seeks to speed up the transfer of environmental technology by running a contest for green technology companies in Poland. The effort has established a platform for exchange of knowledge and experience, connected international business partners, and initiated a forum to discuss global environmental issues. The small- and medium-sized companies that win the competition are empowered to develop and spread their modern, high-quality innovations in the field of environmental protection.

Fast facts:

48 GreenEvo winners so far;
50% growth for GreenEvo winners’ exports and foreign sales in 2013;
40 countries visited on GreenEvo foreign mission;
Winner of several awards, including the 2014 European Award for Best Practices from the European Society for Quality Research.

The problem

Global climate change challenge cannot be addressed without technology transfer. But despite support instruments offered by governments, technological entrepreneurs for example in Poland do not make use of all the opportunities available, in part due to bureaucracy. In addition, many foreign buyers are suspicious about technically advanced solutions originating from countries such as Poland. Entrepreneurs need support for export conditions that are not too bureaucratic, while foreign buyers require assurance on the quality of green technologies “made in Poland.”

The solution

GreenEvo supports the best Polish green technologies in different fields by holding a contest for Polish green technology producers every year. The selected entrepreneurs receive training, including in the areas of international green technology sales, presentation techniques, and private international law. Winning companies fields such as waste and wastewater management, energy efficiency, and renewable energy are thus empowered to effectively transfer their experience, know-how, and technologies internationally.

Helping the planet

Technologies that support development of renewable energy and energy efficiency reduce dependency on dirty fossil fuels, keeping the air cleaner and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. Better management of solid waste and wastewater also help keep the land and water clean.

Helping people

The variety of technologies supported supplies communities with more tools to solve complex problems. Providing clean drinking water supplies alone improves everyday life significantly, especially for children and women. Technology transfer also involves training local people and creating sustainable green jobs.

Scaling up

GreenEvo foreign missions include seminars, conferences, and meetings, during which the project is presented and GreenEvo winners share their experiences and know-how, helping the technology to spread further. Being recognized with the GreenEvo award raises companies’ profiles, increasing and diversifying the project’s portfolio. Synergy among winners, even between direct competitors, also reflects ways in which the initiative organically ripples out. The project itself is easily replicable in any country where green technology producers are on the market. To allow others to learn from the project and potentially copy it, GreenEvo published a handbook in English on its website.