2013 Berti Green Accelerator Winners Announced

Now in its second year, the Berti Green Accelerator programme (in partnership with leading global investor Coller Capital), has selected three low carbon, UK entrepreneurial businesses for a free 12 month mentorship programme from Coller Capital plus access to a £3million funding pool.

The 2013 winners were chosen following a high-level pitch last week. The winning companies are PassivSystems - pioneers of a home energy management platform; Green Energy Options (GEO) - producers of in-home energy displays, online energy services and mobile applications; and Seab - a patented micro-power plant that uses organic waste as its fuel.

Each of the winning companies will receive up to £1million investment and 12 months mentorship from Coller Capital to help nurture their business growth. The final selection process was delivered in a ‘dragons’ den’ style pitch to a panel of judges including Jeremy Coller, Founder & CEO of Coller Capital, Jeremy Leggett, Founder & Chairman of Solar Century, Jacques Tredoux, Founder & Director of Berti Investments and Ben Goldsmith, Founder & Director of WHEB Group.

Seth Tabatznik, Berti Investments comments:

“Once again, we have been overwhelmed by the exceptional quality of all applicants to the 2013 programme. The focus has been purely on seeking out innovative, thought-leading organisations whose strategy is underpinned by carbon reduction techniques and environmental best-practice methods.”

He went on to say:

“The winning three companies are a perfect fit against the criteria we specified. Led by the some of the UK’s finest entrepreneurs, these business models are truly inspirational and deserving. We look forward to working with them over the next 12 months and beyond.”
Sandra Sassow, CEO of winning company SEaB Energy said:

“We are delighted to have been selected as a winner of the Berti Green Accelerator (BGA). The network, experience and access to capital which BGA brings to the table, will help to secure SEaB Energy’s commercialisation and funding targets and accelerate SEaB Energy’s growth. SEaB Energy’s products and services will have a major environmental impact on the UKs carbon emissions, with the help of BGA.”

Patrick Caiger-Smith, CEO of BGA 2013 winner Green Energy Options said:

“We applied to Berti because of our shared agenda of delivering carbon reductions. Timing in business is everything though, and having the benefit of advice from Berti and its advisors will be highly beneficial in helping us understand when to make market moves, and what investment propositions are making headway in the sector we serve.”

Colin Calder, Founder & CEO of 2013 winning company PassivSystems:

“We are delighted to be a winner of this year’s Berti Green Accelerator Programme. With access to Berti’s valuable contacts, financial resources and support network, PassivSystems anticipates being able to fast track its business expansion plans in the UK and overseas”

Berti believes in the power of smart thinking, providing intelligent capital that combines investment and expertise to build sustainable, successful businesses. The Berti Green Accelerator 2013 Programme is in partnership with Coller Capital and supported by Irwin Mitchell, ecoConnect and FORE Partnership.