Recycling startup founders say the pandemic has changed the investing game – TechCrunch
For years, startups Solving the recycling crisis is used in relative anonymity. But for those who have stuck with it – or have survived tough times – investors are now rewarding them with growing support, the three founders told me this week in TC. Sessions: Climate 2022 in Berkeley.
“Traditionally, it was very difficult to grow in space. I’ve seen that change a lot in the past year,” Miranda WangCo-founder and CEO of Novoloopa plastic upgrade startup.
There are a number of different catalysts behind that change, most of which can be traced back to COVID.
“I don’t know if anyone remembers, but being there for a while, it was hard to get some toilet paper,” says Matanya HorowitzFounder and CEO of Robots AMPa robotics and AI vision startup that specializes in sorting recyclable materials.
“We’ve seen demand for toilet paper translate into demand for recycled content, which translates into demand for our system at a time when it’s been really hard to get people to work and people Fear of touching packaging may come from households. have COVID. It’s been an accelerator for our business. “
The COVID supply chain shortage combined with new business models has increased investor interest, the panelists said.