Ten companies focused on reducing carbon emissions and waste, preserving water and protecting ecosystems have been selected to take part in Microsoft’s AI for Environmental Sustainability Accelerator programme.
The programme, launched in collaboration with the Met Office and Social Tech Trust, will support the cohort through a four-month programme to advance their environmental solution using AI.
The 10 companies will develop their technological capabilities and commercial strategy, build the relationships they need to scale their solution and, crucially, learn how to measure the impact it will have for environmental progress.
Among the accelerator participants are Exeter-based Quanterra Systems, which is creating a measurement solution for the indicators of ecosystem health.
Rebecca Mitchell, Chief Executive of Quanterra Systems, said: “Joining this cohort will enable us to learn from other entrepreneurs and experts at Microsoft to tackle the challenges many small businesses face. For us, this includes transitioning our operation from an academic environment to a cloud-based infrastructure that will allow us to scale our impact globally.
Quanterra Systems will be joined in the cohort by Scotland’s Vistalworks, developing intelligence software to combat online illicit trade; Yes Make is helping design London’s public spaces with reclaimed materials from other developments; and Reewild, which is helping food and drink businesses to score and display the environmental impact of their products to consumers.
Kit Nicholl, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Reewild, said: “We need to make strides forward to tackle the climate crisis, and feeding the world in a sustainable manner is one of the challenges of our time. We are looking to provide a solution to support that. We are looking forward to tapping into Microsoft’s expertise and ability to implement AI at scale to drive our business forward.