Start-up companies across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong have been invited to apply to receive funding from Bupa's 2022 eco-Disruptive program.
The program aims to support pilot solutions that positively impact the environment and people’s health.
Now in its second year, the eco-Disruptive program connects start-ups with dedicated Bupa teams while providing around $40,000 in initial funding to create solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges.
Selected start-ups will also go in the running to win more than $300,000 in funding to further develop their solution.
According to the chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Roger Sharp, “Rather than a passive funding model, the eco-Disruptive program aims to energise our people to work actively with start-ups to conduct research, develop business plans and share our expertise in the health and care industry."
“With a commitment to become a& Net Zero business by 2040, we want to start a movement for sustainable innovation by harnessing the passion of our people and the start-up communities across Asia-Pacific. Together we can help people live longer, healthier, happier lives and make a better world,” he said.
Australian start-up Airseed Technologies was named the Asia Pacific winner of the 2021 eco-Disruptive program, receiving funding to further develop its drone tree planting technology.
CEO and co-founder Andrew Walker said the company's participation in the program accelerated its path to commercialisation.
“The attraction for us wasn’t the prize money, it was the access to people, to resources, to skills. Getting Bupa’s insight into how we could develop our corporate approach was really attractive,” he said.
Bupa’s 2022 eco-Disruptive program is now open for expressions of interest from start-ups across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong with applications closing on 12 October.