During the week of 2nd to 6th of March the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge hosted the third Venture School: ‘People, Plastics and Our Planet’. Participants from various Universities, CirPlas members, entrepreneurs and professionals joined a journey that set off with an analysis of the role of plastics in the environment from their use and end life. The sessions built up covering how innovative ideas and national and global policies are trying to address the current panorama, after which a comprehensive framework to develop and implement the participant’s ideas followed.
Under the guidance of organisers and entrepreneurs multidisciplinary teams shaped their ideas through dynamic activities focusing on social, environmental, technical and economic aspects. Through the week the teams shaped their business models and finally pitched their ideas to a panel of experts. The winning idea will be pitched at the next Cambridge Cleantech Venture Day. Networking sessions also encouraged all participants, with interest in making innovative changes towards a more sustainable use of plastics, to develop their ideas further.
The course was co-delivered by Dr Shima Barakat and Dr Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley and sponsored by University of Cambridge’s Cambridge Creative Circular Plastics Centre (CirPlas).