The hub.awards 2023 have their winners!
That’s a wrap for the third hub.awards, which were presented on June 22 at the end of a grandiose ceremony at Bozar. Among the winning companies, 6 projects that demonstrate that the economy is also, and above all, about doing good for society and the planet. Find out who’s behind these positive-impact initiatives!
START: Greenzy
An intelligent and design indoor composter
A design composting solution, without worms, without odors, without specific knowledge, and without even leaving your home: that’s the idea behind Adélaïde Biebuyck and Laetitia Dupret’s invention, Greenzy. Their patented innovation allows for easy valorization of organic waste from a household of 1 to 4 people, continuously producing high-quality compost that can be directly used for your plants or vegetable garden in about 2 months.
Quite cool, considering that 50% of household waste consists of organic waste, with 82% of this waste being buried or incinerated, and that 5 people composting can prevent the pollution equivalent of a car annually…
BLOOM: BC Materials
A circular brick in the belly
The construction sector is one of the most polluting industries, accounting for 40% of carbon emissions and 50% of waste flows.
The ambitious idea of Nicolas Coeckelberghs, Ken De Cooman, Wes Degreef, and Laurens Bekemans with BC Materials? To put an end to this destructive cycle by encouraging the construction sector to utilize existing and available materials (such as excavation soil) and transform them into decarbonized construction products (such as raw earth coatings, compressed earth blocks, rammed earth).
And it results in bricks and concrete made in Brussels!
EXPORT: In-Between international
The startup that turns weeds into insulation
Don’t be fooled by appearances: despite its good looks, water hyacinth, a floating aquatic plant native to South America, is an invasive species that clogs rivers and lakes, killing the aquatic ecosystem. In fact, it’s nicknamed “the weed from hell”…
But that was without counting on the genius of Rebeka Bahatorani and Richard Thommeret, who discovered its key technical properties (similar to wood fibers) and patented the first industrial process capable of regaining control over its proliferation, by transforming this plant into thermal insulation, packaging, absorbent or composite material.
By doing so, In-Between International turns a social and ecological problem into an economic benefit, including job creation.
WELCOME: Electra
Charging stations for your electric car at lightning speed
Born in 2021 from the determination of its founders, Augustin Derville and Louis-Charles Mosseray, to make cities breathe and simplify the daily lives of motorists, the French startup Electra simplifies the charging of electric vehicles by offering an ultra-intuitive and ultra-fast network of charging stations. In just 20 minutes, the clock is ticking!
With 73 charging stations already in operation, this process has already won over motorists in all regions of France and is now setting out to conquer the Belgian market.
The added bonus of Electra: the installation of its fast-charging stations in existing parking lots and the possibility to reserve a charging station.
PUBLIC (craft): Seed
Eyewear that makes you see the world differently
As a passionate optician and artisan eyewear maker, Laurent Marien took his vision to the next level in 2021 by creating Seed, the first sustainable eyewear boutique in Brussels. Each product is handmade using recycled and natural materials: recycled Brussels plastic, beech wood from the Sonian Forest, and bioplastic.
From the production of the glasses to the design of the boutique, Seed takes its commitment as far as possible, offering an ethical and sustainable alternative to traditional opticians. All of Seed’s furniture is made from reclaimed materials, and the brands showcased on the displays are all eco-friendly. Eco-design, zero waste goals, water management, and energy efficiency have also been taken into consideration. This project truly opens our eyes and deserves a round of applause.
PUBLIC: Business Entourage
Coaching that transforms your shyness into a selling point
With Business Entourage, Jérémie Vanopdenbosch offers an innovative and disruptive method that aims to help entrepreneurs overcome barriers of introspection (shyness, fear of rejection, imposter syndrome…) and enhance their relationship skills, enabling them to reach new financial heights in their business through networking-based growth techniques.
This coaching program is designed for solopreneurs, new entrepreneurs, business owners, startups, brands, and employees. It follows a 10-step method to unlock the power of relationships and create an influential network that serves the growth of their business or career. Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place.
PUBLIC: Wellnest
A support community created for and by women
Wellnest is a caring and apolitical movement that brings women together under the banner of friendship and mutual support. Its objective is to expand one’s circle of girlfriends, foster exchanges, and encourage connections. It’s a space for confiding, sharing tips, contacts, and recommendations, just as one would with their usual group of friends, but on a larger scale (with 17,000 new girlfriends, to be precise).
Aline Van Roey is the founder of this network, driven by the observation that women possess exceptional relational potential, yet they are not encouraged to build strong and lasting connections with each other.
Networking events, conferences, workshops, creative markets, clothing swaps, and spontaneous outings are regularly organized, bringing together women of different ages, socio-economic backgrounds, origins, and beliefs. Because, indeed, girls just wanna have fun, but not only that!
PUBLIC: Ferme Nos Pilifs
The farm that harvests diversity and bio products
For almost 40 years, la Ferme Nos Pilifs has been working to provide meaningful and rewarding jobs to Brussels residents with disabilities.
This sheltered workshop and nonprofit organization, managed by Benoît Ceysens and Eric Frère, enables nearly 145 people with disabilities to earn a living through their work and fully integrate into the life of a company, supported by around forty employees.
Through its various activities, the workers can develop enriching social relationships, both for themselves and for those who come into contact with their uniqueness. Having a job, building social connections, actively participating, but at their own pace, in the life and development of the company is an unparalleled factor in empowerment and autonomy.
Congratulations to them and to all the companies in the running for the hub.awards 2023! We look forward to seeing you next year, when we’ll be showcasing even more colorful and meaningful projects for Brussels.
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