Company News
SilviBio receives funding from the Forestry Commision
October 18, 2021
SilviBio pitches at COP26 to win Net Zero Edge Award
Founder, Alicja Dzieciol, got through to the finals of Scottish Edge's Net Zero Edge competition and got the chance to pitch in front of a panel of business experts at COP26 in Glasgow. The award final showcased the different ways companies are tackling the challenges involved in reaching Net-Zero.
After a successful pitch, SilviBio received an award and will gain further support from Scottish Edge and the NatWest Group which will enable SilviBio to continue to grow and further aid reforestation efforts.
SilviBio joins SME Climate Hub
September 30, 2021
SilviBio became one of the first companies to join the SME Climate Hub, a new climate action platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to curb carbon emissions, build business resilience and take climate leadership.
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More information can be found here.
November 4, 2021
September 7, 2021
SilviBio co-founder, Mariela Aguilera, was been chosen to be part of a cohort of 13 entrepreneurs focused on solving pressing social and environmental challenges.
As part of the programme, she presented at the Unreasonable Impact Small Business Initiative Virtual Showcase, which can be viewed here.
SilviBio was successful in applying for 2 projects in the Tree Production Innovation Fund, which was set up to support innovations that improve the quantity, quality and diversity of tree planting stock available for planting in England.
The first project is an investigation into the use of a moisture-retaining additive to develop peat-free alternatives for cell-grown tree production whilst the second explores pelletisation of broadleaf tree seed to facilitate moisture retention, mechanised planting, seedling growth and germination.
More information can be found on the Forestry Commission Website.
June 28, 2021
SilviBio trialled their seed coating and soil conditioner at Forestry and Land Scotland’s Newton Nursery with great success.
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Josh Roberts, FLS Innovation Manger, said;
“Lab and field trials have so far been very promising indeed. This is a great step forward for forestry and has significant implications for forestry, not just in Scotland but in countries that practice a style of forestry similar to the UK and even further afield.”
SilviBio receives Innovate UK funding
November 6, 2020
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A SilviBio project to further develop their seed coating has been given support from Innovate UK.
Innovate UK Executive Chair, Dr Ian Campbell, said:
“In these difficult times we have seen the best of British business innovation. The pandemic is not just a health emergency but one that impacts society and the economy.
“SilviBio, along with every initiative Innovate UK has supported through this fund, is an important step forward in driving sustainable economic development. Each one is also helping to realise the ambitions of hard-working people.”
October 28, 2020
Founder of SilviBio, Alicja Dzieciol, has been chosen to be part of a cohort of 40 entrepreneurs with the potential to aid Scotland’s economic recovery and net-zero emissions target. In addition to receiving a grant, SilviBio will be linked with established, successful businesses for the next sixth months and receive mentoring and support.
SilviBio trials seed coatings and soil conditioner with Forestry and Land Scotland
September 23, 2020
August 19, 2020
SilviBio joins ECCI's accelerator, which provides funding, tools and coaching to low-carbon start-ups.
Alicja Dzieciol, SilviBio founder said:
"At SilviBio we are determined to play a positive part, however small, in the collective effort towards the transition to a more sustainable, net-zero economy. ECCI’s support comes at a critical stage for us and will enable us to accelerate the development of our product, designed to help tree nurseries get the most out of their seed and minimise productivity losses due to dry weather."
SilviBio won the GROW 2020 agri-tech business plan competition in a virtual final involving 4 early-stage agri-tech companies. The pitch showed the business plan and route to market of SilviBio's innovative seed coating which improves survival rates by 40% in drought conditions.
June 4, 2020
SilviBio's took part in the innovation competition to exhibit their bio-based seed coatings for conifers which provide a source of moisture and long-term nutrition, which increases the germination rate of plants by up to 40 % in dry conditions.
Founder, Alicja Dzieciol, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to present our technology. We believe our approach can make a significant contribution to building an innovative and resilient forest bioeconomy.”
