10 clean-air innovators selected for Breathable Cities Accelerator
The search is over. Selections have been made. Britain’s leading clean air pioneers join Breathable Cities, Europe’s biggest accelerator programme dedicated to tackling the devastating effects of urban air pollution.
With over 70 applications, 15 pitches, 12 judges and hours of preparation and deliberation, nine successful startups have now been chosen. With the comprehensive support of an array of Breathable Cities experts, a new cohort of business leaders get ready to sprint, activate and elevate the success of their anti-air pollution solutions.
Breathable Cities is a uniquely purpose-driven partnership between Impact on Urban Health, and Growth Studio – mutual organisations with a driving commitment to find solutions that improve human and planet health. Up to 43,000 deaths per year in the UK are attributed to air pollution, affecting more people who live in deprived urban environments and more noticeable in communities that are clinically vulnerable or from minority backgrounds.
Long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to reduced life expectancy from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancer.
Congratulations to the Breathable Cities Cohort 2023:
- Applied Nanodetecters
- Enjoy The Air
- GoRolloe
- Kleanbus
- Persium
- Pluvo
- The Tyre Collective
- Zev City
- Hubl
- Climate Maps
“This has been an incredible selection process” explains Paul Finch, Co-Founder of Growth Studio. “Given the devastating effect of urban air pollution, we designed Breathable Cities with a sharp sense of urgency in mind. We now have a world class cohort of air quality startups ready to accelerate positive impact against toxic air”.
Anna Garrod, Policy and Influencing Director at Impact on Urban Health, said: "Air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to health. It causes tens of thousands of deaths every year in the UK and costs the economy billions of pounds. But it’s also a social justice issue. Time and time again, research shows that while everyone is affected, it’s those on lower incomes, from minoritised communities, children, or older people, who suffer the biggest burden from air pollution.
"We support the Breathable Cities accelerator programme and we’re excited to see this impressive lineup of startup talent ready to improve air quality. We want to help businesses stay efficient while reducing air pollution in our cities. And what better place to look for innovative and creative solutions for air pollution than startup businesses?"
