/ Pleco Marine won sustainable business idea competition 2021
The company is engaged in the cultivation of microalgae to be used as fish feed in the aquaculture industry. The other two finalists were Day of Week by Siv Kristiansen and Assistant Systems by Thomas Larsen.
The forty attendees experienced a varied program, presented by chairman Ole Jacob Rynning-Tønnesen. County Mayor Arne Thomassen gave a welcome speech, emphasizing the importance of innovation for Agder in the future. The finalists then took the stage.
Pleco was the first to talk about how they will contribute to making the aquaculture industry more sustainable. Tobias Øverli and Jørgen Henriksen presented in front of an attentive audience.
The second finalist was Assistance Systems, which showed how it will use AI technology to improve waste sorting to help recycling and recovery.
The third finalist of the evening was Day of Week, which is working to create a digital food system that will help families with sustainable and varied food in their everyday lives and promote products and food experiences from local food producers and providers, delivered to their homes. Kristiansen also had the help of her daughter on stage.
After the finalists had done their job, the jury retired. Tone Kvåle from Skagerak Maturo took the stage. She talked about how they, as a venture capital company, invest in technology-based growth companies with a strong positive impact on society. Next on stage was Trond Are Gjone from Fiskher, the app that shows fishing spots.
When the jury came back, it turned out to be Pleco Marine that drew the longest straw. The team behind Pleco Marine consists of master students affiliated with UiA's entrepreneurship program Shift. They were the winners of 30 mentoring hours provided by Innovation Norway, up to 1 year of office facilities together with other start-ups, and a great diploma handed out by the county mayor.
The jury that made the final decision consisted of Geir Askvik Haugum, Head of Industry and Commerce, Kristine Ribe Kristensen from Innoventus Sør, and Helge Hammersbøen from DNB.
Jury's reasoning:
Good pitch, large and clear market, but demanding. The height of innovation is important. If one succeeds with a stable production and yield, the market will be open. Business idea has obvious sustainability impact and potential. There is a possibility to realize the idea with industrial partners, team and a good financial plan. The winner is Pleco Marine.
