The Switchers Open Eco-Innovation platform is already active with the creation of innovative challenges seeking green and circular solutions. The aim of the platform is to help match companies and public institutions in search of green and circular business solutions with entrepreneur providers, using an open innovation approach.

STAND Up!, the EU-funded project under the ENI CBC Med Programme that is behind the creation of the platform, and Switchmed Programme, seek to help meet the sustainable innovation challenges faced by private and public companies across the textile and fashion sector and provide Business Support Organizations (BSO) the tools they need to facilitate connections between solution seekers and entrepreneur providers.

The winning start-up with the best solution will be rewarded with a voucher of 20.000€ to develop and implement it and to be spent on prototyping (all the info about what the voucher includes can be found inside the challenges). As per Spain, the Textile Industry Confederation (TEXFOR) is the enabler facilitating these challenges, in collaboration and support of Medwaves, the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for SCP.

Find below the current challenges and basic information in Spain:

1. Supply Chain Traceability of Spanish Merino Wool

Goal: To find an integrated, digitalised and low-cost solution to ensure the traceability of the Spanish merino wool in each and every step of the value chain

Companies: Holistex and Textil Olius

Start-ups participation: The challenge is addressed to early and growth stage ventures or independent entrepreneurs in the textile and clothing sector that are legally constituted in one of the eligible areas from ENI CBC Med Programme in Spain (Andalusia, Catalonia, Comunitat Valenciana, Murcia’s Region, Balearic Islands, City of Ceuta, City of Melilla. All selected ventures must be led by women (no age limit) and/or youth (up to 35 years old).

Deadline to submit your solution: 19/7/2022

Status: CLOSED

2. Obtaining a fabric from an agricultural waste

Goal: To increase the value of agricultural waste and develop a value-added textile product with similar characteristics to animal leather.

Companies: Pieldevelur, SLU

Start-ups participation: The challenge is addressed to early and growth stage ventures or independent entrepreneurs in the textile and clothing sector that are legally constituted in one of the eligible areas from ENI CBC Med Programme in Spain (Andalusia, Catalonia, Comunitat Valenciana, Murcia’s Region, Balearic Islands, City of Ceuta, City of Melilla. All selected ventures must be led by women (no age limit) and/or youth (up to 35 years old).

Deadline to submit your solution: 19/7/2022

Status: CLOSED

3. Reuse of the cotton wastes from the pre-treated selvedges from Texia

Goal: To find a process to reuse and treat Texia's textile waste to be able to create and develop new products for the company such as new recycled thread.

Companies: Texia

Start-ups participation: The challenge is addressed to early and growth stage ventures or independent entreperneurs in the textile and clothing sector that are legally constituted in one of the eligible areas from ENI CBC Med Programme in Spain (Andalusia, Catalonia, Comunitat Valenciana, Murcia's Region, Balearic Islands, City of Ceuta, City of Melilla. All selected ventures must be led by women (no age limit) and/or youth (up to 35 years old).

Deadline to submit your solution: 22nd of August 2022

Status: CLOSED

4. Upcycling HORECA's textile waste

Goal: To find the best solution for HORECA's textile waste in a way that empowers local communities, neutralizes its carbon footprint and fights the gender gap.

Companies: ELIS

Start-ups participation: The challenge is addressed to early and growth stage ventures or independent entreperneurs in the textile and clothing sector that are legally constituted in one of the eligible areas from ENI CBC Med Programme in Spain (Andalusia, Catalonia, Comunitat Valenciana, Murcia's Region, Balearic Islands, City of Ceuta, City of Melilla. All selected ventures must be led by women (no age limit) and/or youth (up to 35 years old).

Deadline to submit your solution: 22nd of August 2022

Status: CLOSED