Newport-based Sero Zero Waste has been named one of the most exciting new businesses in the region after being shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
The StartUp Awards National Series has been launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the UK which has accelerated since the pandemic began. In 2020, when most of the world was shutting down, more than 400,000 startups were set up in Britain, with similar increases seen in other European countries.
There was stiff competition with over 2,500 applications received in response to the Startup Awards National Series’ first-ever call for entries.
Liz Carnevale and Laura Parry, co-founders of Sero Zero Waste said:
“It is a huge honour to be finalists in Wales in the Green StartUp category and be recognised for making a difference, not only in our local community but now on a national scale. To be nominated for an award like this is incredible for us and really cements the hard work which has gone into the last year.
“We have sought to bring something completely new to Newport and provided a space for the local community to come and shop sustainably, in a way that makes a real difference to the environment. We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive reception we’ve had since we opened during the pandemic, and it’s amazing that the importance of sustainable shopping is being considered at a national level. People are recognising Newport as the sustainable, forward thinking, creative city it is, and we’re pleased to have played a part in that.
They went on to say:
“Most importantly to us, shopping with Sero Zero Waste is not simply a shopping experience, but something that educates and encourages behaviour change through reducing single use consumption. Our mission is to make it fun, affordable and convenient for people to make small changes for the good of the planet.”
Supported nationally by BT, EY, Dell & Intel, the programme will celebrate the achievements of the amazing individuals across the UK who have turned an idea into an opportunity and taken the risk to launch a new product or service.
Co-founded by the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, the new series follows the success of the Wales StartUp Awards, after organisers recognised the exceptional potential in the startup scene across the other British regions.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the StartUp Awards National Series, said:
“New firms are important for generating economic prosperity, employment opportunities and innovation. Since 2016, the Wales StartUp Awards have celebrated this amazing annual contribution to our economy by entrepreneurs and the impact they have on communities across the nation.
“Given the sheer volume of phenomenal startups we’ve heard from since then, as well as the huge post-pandemic shift in people’s desires to take their career in a new direction and set up a business against the odds, we felt it was the right time to take the programme nationwide. We’ve been blown away by the standard of entries in this first year and truly look forward to crowning the winners in June.”
