Scottish Tech firm wins $100,000 global award from Google and SAP

09/05/2019
Michael Groves
Michael Groves

Edinburgh-based waste analytics company, Topolytics, has won the Google Cloud and SAP Circular Economy 2030 Contest, launched at the World Economic Forum in February 2019.  

The contest set out to find the best revenue generating ideas that can unlock $4.5 trillion of new economic output by reducing waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use and/or regenerating natural systems.   

The award-winning firm fought off tough competition to win the $100,000 prize.

More than 250 companies from more than 50 countries applied for the contest and in April 2019, Topolytics was named one of five finalists.  After a two-day intensive workshop, all finalists delivered a pitch that was recorded for the judging panel, consisting of senior executives from Google, SAP, the United Nations, Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.   

Topolytics proposed expanding the scale and scope of its existing WasteMapä data platform.  Making the system of movements of waste and by-products much more visible and thereby identifying opportunities to reduce the impact of waste management and help to maintain materials and assets at a higher utility.  

The Challenge organisers commented: “The business idea for Topolytics not only met our judging criteria in terms of originality, but also demonstrated a well-researched proposal with a high potential for advanced application of both Google Cloud and SAP technology. Moreover, we were impressed by Groves’ engagement and willingness to roll up his sleeves during the interactive workshop, where he demonstrated a strong level of commitment to learning and growth. We congratulate Michael and can’t wait to see more from Topolytics.”

Commenting on the win, Michael Groves, Topolytics Founder said: “This is a big moment for Topolytics.  We are extremely grateful to the organising team and are humbled to have won, particularly given the quality of the other finalists – all great companies.  The range and quality of technologies developed by Google Cloud and SAP will undoubtedly underpin the rapid commercialisation and scaling of WasteMap.”

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