{"id":1888,"date":"2019-01-04T20:44:02","date_gmt":"2019-01-04T20:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/?p=1888"},"modified":"2022-06-01T17:59:57","modified_gmt":"2022-06-01T17:59:57","slug":"asu-and-phoenix-issue-new-call-for-ventures-to-innovate-for-waste-prevention-and-diversion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/2019\/01\/04\/asu-and-phoenix-issue-new-call-for-ventures-to-innovate-for-waste-prevention-and-diversion\/","title":{"rendered":"ASU and Phoenix issue new call for ventures to innovate for waste prevention and diversion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Arizona State University, named the most innovative school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for four straight years<\/a>, in collaboration with the city of Phoenix \u2014 named the top performing city overall by Governing and Living Cities \u2014 are calling for innovators and entrepreneurs to participate in the RISN Incubator<\/a>, a diverse solutions business development and accelerator program. The application period is open now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RISN Incubator is a program within the Resource Innovation and Solutions Network (RISN)<\/a> and supports new-to-market ventures that focus on improvements in processing or utilization of waste as a raw material for new products or energy. Selected enterprises receive unique access to resources and support from ASU and Phoenix to develop their solutions that contribute to the regional and national development of a vibrant circular economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are excited to engage a new cohort of innovators to build upon the impact of our initial 13 companies and help drive a stronger, more resilient economy that continues to explore new ways to close loops, create jobs and drive innovation,\u201d said Alicia Marseille, director of the RISN Incubator. \u201cIn just two cohorts, RISN Incubator ventures have generated more than $4.1 million in revenue and created 43 jobs, proving the substantial impact these companies have made in just over one year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RISN Incubator provides access to technical experts \u2014 including university faculty \u2014 for their advancement, workshops and training, business plan and growth strategy development, access to materials called feedstocks from Phoenix\u2019s waste transfer station and a process for continuous evaluation and prequalification for funding opportunities with introductions to funders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy cultivating public-private partnerships to turn trash into new products, the Phoenix Public Works Department continues to work to increase our waste diversion rate and create economic impact in our city,\u201d said Ginger Spencer, Phoenix Public Works director. \u201cAs inspiring as it is to see the new businesses take hold, it is even more inspiring to work with them to help us meet our waste diversion goals for 2020 and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup concepts eligible for the incubator include, but are not limited to, conversion of solid waste into new material or energy; services that divert, reuse or recycle; and software applications and design services that focus on sustainability. The priority waste feedstocks that the successful ventures will have access to include plastics, batteries, carpeting and carpet foam, broken furniture, mattresses, textiles, food waste, compost and plastic film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thirteen ventures have completed their mentorship period within the incubator, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n