Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the mission of the START2ACT project is to support young SMEs and startups to save energy and cut costs at their workplace. To fulfill this mission, we are offering free-of-charge mentoring and training activities in nine European countries:
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and United Kingdom.
A key area of intervention in START2ACT to increase energy efficiency through behavioural change is office equipment, the fastest growing energy user in the business world, consuming 15% of the total electricity used in offices, which is expected to rise to 30% by 2020. START2ACT aims to trigger the use and uptake of the many available tools and solutions offering a great potential for energy and money savings, yet still not adequately used due to lack of understanding of how to use them in practice and due to insufficient engagement of people towards changing behaviour in everyday life. In addition, START2ACT aims to trigger sustainable procurement of office equipment connected to the operation of a company, including the selection and furnishings of premises (HVAC, lighting, etc.), and goods and services. In doing so, START2ACT aspires to sow the seeds of a sustainable energy culture in start-ups and young SMEs.
Are you working at a young SME or startup in Europe? If yes, then you are the spine of Europe's future economy! START2ACT is providing free-of-charge knowledge and know-how transfer on implementing energy efficiency measures to engage young entrepreneurs and staff members in sustainable energy. The START2ACT team is available to help you and your company not only to gain energy and money savings, but also a competitive edge and a strong reputation in the market. An energy conscious behaviour in daily operations, strategic decisions and corporate management will be key to excellence.
STARTUPS AND YOUNG SMEs
START2ACT’s target groups for its activities are entrepreneurs of startups as well as owners, managers and staff of young SMEs (as an indication, up to 5 years in age) in nine European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and United Kingdom.
The segment of startups is considered to become the spine of Europe’s future SMEs and large companies. Taking into account the SME structure in the EU, START2ACT addresses micro and small enterprises that employ up to 49 people. This target group makes up a substantial share of all SMEs (98%), accounting for 75% of employed people in the SME sector. Providing these two target groups with bespoke activities to actively change their behaviour on energy consumption in their everyday lives at the workplace will also lead to spill-over effects, transferring certain behaviour patterns to their homes.
If you are involved in a start-up or a young SME, and you are interested in being part of our activities, then join START2ACT here and we will contact you shortly.
STAKEHOLDERS
All organisations and institutions which can contribute to and/or benefit from START2ACT's activities but do not belong to the target groups.
- Organisations active in the support of startups or young SMEs such as incubator and accelerator houses, co-working spaces, startup facilitators, umbrella organisations and associations, chambers of commerce and trade etc.
- Manufacturers of energy efficient appliances or applications and related associations interested in increasing the market share and uptake of such products.
- Electricity providers and suppliers.
If you are involved in a stakeholder organisation described above, we encourage you to join START2ACT here and we will shortly contact you to seek opportunities for coo
Learn more about our partners here and check out our on-site activities to receive free energy efficiency consultancy!