In a world where sustainability and eco-friendliness are becoming increasingly important, it’s no surprise that Australian start-up Cassava Bags Australia has caught the attention of Bupa’s 2022 global eco-Disruptive program.
As the competition winner, Cassava Bags has secured over AUD$350,000 in funding to help grow their business and bring their innovative, 100% natural, biodegradable and compostable bags made from Cassava root to the world.
These bags can dissolve in water within minutes, making them a game-changing solution to the environmental challenges we face today. Cassava Bags was one of six Asia Pacific finalists participating in the eco-Disruptive program, which helps connect start-ups with dedicated Bupa teams to scale up their bold solutions.
Cassava Bags Australia received the most votes from Bupa’s people who considered pitches from start-ups across Bupa’s APAC, UK, European and Latin American, and Bupa Arabia network.
What is the eco-Disruptive program?
Eco-Disruptive is a global talent and innovation program that aims to find and support sustainable and scalable start-ups with innovative solutions that can improve people’s health and the planet’s health.
Eco-Disruptive was first launched in 2021 in several countries, including Australia, Spain, Chile, and the UK. It returned for a second edition in September 2022 and ran from September to December across nine countries where Bupa operates: Australia, Spain, the UK, Hong Kong SAR, Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Panama.
The program is part of Bupa’s sustainability strategy and provides a chance for future leaders to learn from these start-ups’ disruptive and agile approaches. It also helps the winning start-up scale up their business.
Bruce Rossi, CEO and President of Purpose of Cassava Bags Australia, said working with Bupa’s people through the eco-Disruptive program has opened up a world of commercial and sustainable possibilities.
“We believe that the plastic crisis demands multifaceted solutions, and that means a commitment from local small businesses, big businesses, governments, and grassroots movements.
“Through a shared collaborative ethos, we look forward to using this funding to champion bold new initiatives across the consumer, business and healthcare sectors to stem the tide of global plastic pollution,” said Mr Rossi.
The eco-Disruptive program plays an important role in Bupa’s plans to become a Net-Zero business by 2040.
Bupa is an international healthcare group. Since 2005, the Bupa Foundation has invested more than $35 million to support more than 130 health and care projects in Australia and New Zealand.
Meet the eco-Disruptive 2022 Finalists.
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