With KICKSTART, Hof University of Applied Sciences has launched a funding program that starts at a very early stage of a potential start-up – with the development of ideas and prototypes. The KICKSTART teams have six months to develop their idea into an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or prototype.
The mission
Plastics are increasingly being used in agriculture in particular, e.g. for hop cultivation and straw bales. In plant cultivation, these end up (un)intentionally in the soil after harvesting, and the baler twine has to be disposed of, resulting in large amounts of waste and soil pollution. The aim was to develop sustainable alternatives by using recycled, biodegradable polyester yarns, which are processed into twisted yarns and nets, for example.
How did you come up with this idea?
“Our idea came about when a fiber supplier approached us and presented us with a new fiber that is made from recycled raw materials, has good strength values and is also biodegradable. As a team, we brainstormed about which areas of application had great potential for textiles in order to exploit the fiber properties and avoid waste. As the grain and hay harvest was underway at the time, during which hay and litter bales are banded with large quantities of yarn and nets made of polypropylene plastic, which are then disposed of as waste, our idea was born to develop a more sustainable alternative.”
Studying or working alone is already very time-consuming and exhausting. Nevertheless, you are also busy developing your own start-up idea. Where do you get your motivation from?
“Our motivation lies in our great interest in ecology and environmental protection. The world needs to become more sustainable in many respects in order to achieve the climate targets we have set ourselves and reduce global warming. The reduction of waste and the use of recycled materials is a pillar for achieving these goals – whether on a small or large scale. And we would like to make a contribution to this with our research work on sustainable baler twine and nets in agriculture.”
The Kickstart program is designed to promote the further development of ideas that are at a very early stage. You can receive up to 7,500 euros in financial support for this. How do you use the funding specifically?
“The funding enabled us to further develop the equipment technology for analyzing biodegradability. The evaluation of the times for biodegradability and the degradation products are essential for later use. We were also able to modify our test stand for outdoor weathering in order to simulate real-life use.”
At the end of the six months, do you already know what the future holds for you? What are your long-term goals? Are you aiming to set up a company?
“With the promising results we have achieved with KICKSTART, we are now planning to approach specific businesses and companies in order to initiate a larger publicly funded project and thus drive forward product development. Cooperation with agricultural businesses and industrial companies is essential in order to be able to take all requirements into account in the application and develop a successful product with added value for agriculture and the environment.”
What have you learned from the project so far? What would you like to pass on to other people interested in setting up a business?
“Great perseverance and resilience are always necessary when developing and implementing project ideas. Our tips for all researchers are not to be discouraged by setbacks and to believe in your own idea. It is also important to have a team that supports each other in order to master the stressful phases of the project together.”
