Midlands sustainable tech start-up targets investment
A prize-winning start-up that aims to revolutionise recycling and wage war on waste is targeting investment following its launch this year.
Nutume, a free exchange and sharing app that makes it quick and easy to recycle and reuse within communities is the brainchild of Joshua Shephard and Killoran Wills.
The pair were teamed together in a challenge set for students at the University of Warwick and University College Birmingham in 2021, where they were asked to come up with creative, sustainable solutions relevant to those attending university.
After winning the competition, the app 's momentum has grown ever since with the start-up winning a place on NatWest 's Accelerator programme as part of the prize package.
Joshua said: “The idea came to me because of my own university experience. A lot of first-time students are, at this very moment, gathering up all the equipment they need for life in halls, from pans to microwaves and a lot of it will be left behind at the end of the year, destined for landfill.
The app is currently in development and will create revenue by offering targeted space for advertisers. The start-up is now hoping to secure additional funding to take them to the next level of growth after launching the app in a university setting first.
Then there 's things like textbooks, Halloween costumes that are worn once and even cars left behind on campus. All of it could be reused.
“The nutume app means everyone can easily make a difference by rejecting new stuff and repurposing the old, while building a thoughtful, sustainable and resourceful community. As we grow, we hope that the model can be used by any group with a shared interest. ”
The team are receiving business mentorship as part of the NatWest Accelerator programme, run in partnership with the University of Warwick.
Killoran said: “The support we 've had from the Accelerator programme has been really fantastic. It can be daunting to start a new business, but the programme brings a sense of community and access to invaluable mentorship, advice and support that otherwise might be hard to come by. ”
Deborah Lewis, regional ecosystem manager at NatWest, said: “The bank 's Accelerator programme is designed to help entrepreneurs have the best possible start to their business career, from offering practical support with running their business and providing a network for guidance and advice. I 'm really excited to see what the next steps are for nutume and wish Killoran and Josh every success with their venture. ”
The nutume team have also been supported by Birmingham Enterprise Community, Keele University, Bseen, Beinspired, Techforearth, Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and digital company husssl.
Pictured from left to right: Joshua Shephard and Adam Walters