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Discover concrete acceleration success stories that happened with ChangeNOW.
Every year ChangeNOW connects 1,000 concrete actions for the planet with thousands of investors, corporate decision makers, policy makers, public figures, journalists and talent.
Its goal: to accelerate the deployment of these solutions on a large scale.
A world first, with a new law passed in France to prevent the pollution of 500 tons of plastic microfibers
PlanetCare x French Ministry of Ecological and Social TransitionFollowing their participation in ChangeNOW’s Summit, Slovenian startup PlanetCare, a microfiber filter solution, was invited by the French Minister for the Ecological Transition to discuss the path to achieving zero plastic pollution in the oceans. The solution was included in the anti-waste law, forcing every new washing machine sold in France after January 2025 to be fitted with a microfiber filter to stop synthetic clothes from polluting waterways, a world first.
A pivotal moment for one journalist, resulting in a journalist coalition charter for change
As an experimented journalist, Sophie Roland questioned the future of her career facing climate challenges and realized the poor media coverage of such important issues.
At ChangeNOW 2020, she met concrete solutions and like-minded people who encouraged her to get involved in climate journalism. After three years of redefining her scope, she co-authored in 2022 a charter to improve journalistic practices with concrete ideas on how to better address the reality of climate change. Designed as a compass for the sector, the charter has now been signed by 1,900 journalists from all backgrounds and 200 organisations. It has been a catalyst that has opened up debates in newsrooms and led to spin-off projects.
Fundraising several million euros, leading 5 years later to the largest global fund for the protection of the ocean
Blue Ocean Partners x Swen Capital PartnersFollowing a meeting at ChangeNOW 2018, Blue Ocean Partner, a venture capital firm whose mission is to invest in innovations to regenerate ocean health, completed its first round of funding of several million euros. They subsequently join Swen Capital Partners to become the world’s largest ocean protection fund.
Fundraised 20 million euros and building a new factory
Neolithe x AngersThe first meeting occurred between Christophe Béchu (Minister of Ecological Transition), then Mayor of the city of Angers, and the Neolithe team during the ChangeNOW 2020 Summit. This fruitful exchange allowed the company to raise 20 million euros thanks to the support of Christophe Béchu and the city of Angers, as well as the Ademe in the framework of the governmental action in support of small companies committed to the ecological transition. This grant will allow the company to build its plant and deploy its first fossilizers capable of transforming waste into stone.
A new potential market of 3.5 million households, the energy-saving assistant
Ecojoko x VeoliaFollowing their encounter at ChangeNOW 2020, French start-up Ecojoko and Veolia subsidiary, Birdz, announced in 2021 a new partnership to reduce water and energy consumption in homes and cities. The ambition is to implement the new solution in a potentiel of 3.5 million houses across France equipped with a Veolia monitor and to reduce their electricity consumption by an average of 20%, saving up to 600M KWh per year.
Launch of the first watch box made from algae biomass, 100% home compostable and biodegradable
Notplat x ID GenèveNotpla and ID Genève announced the upcoming launch of a home compostable packaging solution for ID Genève’s newest collection, Circular S. Pioneers of sustainability in different sectors, ID Genève and Notpla met for the first time at the ChangeNOW Summit in 2022. Sharing similar values of innovation, a collaboration to replace single-use plastic packaging in the watch industry was a significant step.
Empowering Farmers and Biodiversity: An Inspiring Pact for Sustainable Soil
bettersoil x COP15CEO of betterSoil and the President of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification COP15 (UNCCD COP15) met during ChangeNOW 2023. Brought together by a shared vision, they have signed a cooperation agreement, marking their commitment to a more sustainable future. Their goal? To protect fertile soils, enhance soil quality, and combat desertification. Together, they aim to improve farmers’ livelihoods, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.
A new bulk solution deployed in 20 countries, and millions of packaging containers avoided
Jean-Bouteille x Groupe L’Occitane
L’Occitane, a well-known cosmetic brand, wanted to accelerate its approach towards more virtuous consumption and, in particular, waste reduction. After meeting Jean Bouteille, a bulk solution start-up, at ChangeNOW in 2020, and after a year of working together, the companies developed a bulk distribution solution adapted to the cosmetics industry’s needs and the brand’s expectations. Deployed in 20 countries, the solution avoided millions of packaging containers.
French & Kenya Red Cross open to social entrepreneurship
Croix Rouge du Kenya Paris, February 2019 – One year after the launch of 21, the Social Innovation Accelerator of the French Red Cross, a great number of innovation managers and directors of the International Movement of the Red Cross and Crescent visited Change Now.Inspired by the French Red Cross and its ambition to open the association to social entrepreneurship, the Kenyan Red Cross met under the glass vault of the Grand Palais, the global ecosystem of Change Now: inspiring startups, investors and innovators.
Since then, the French and Kenyan Red Cross worked hand in hand to launch the Women Social Entrepreneurship Institute powered by 21 and financed by the Embassy of France to Kenya. The just launched innovation Hub I.O.Me001 will host the institute and support the empowerment of Kenyan Women in Mombasa via social entrepreneurship.
A visibility boost with more than 20+ Million views
FaBRICK x BrutIn 2020, FabBRICK was selected by ChangeNOW and its media partner Brut. Brut’s videos introducing the company were seen over 20 million times, a record for the media, and were followed by a second video a year later to measure FabBRICK’s very successful development in a few months. “it’s been really exponential, there have been a lot of requests” explains Clarisse Merlet, founder of FaBRICK.
50,000 bottles of water, nearly 1 ton of plastic avoided
Plastic Odyssey x InovaYaFollowing their meeting in 2020, InovaYa supplied a water system aboard Plastic Odyssey’s ship during its three-year world tour. The goal: have zero plastic bottles on board and demonstrate that it is possible to consume differently, in a more sustainable, responsible, and ecological way. In total, more than 50,000 bottles of water will be avoided over the three years.
The city of Arles saw their waste reduced following an agreement with the zero-waste assistant Trizzy
Trizzy x ArlesTrizzy, the first zero-waste assistant, launched a digital tool in September 2021 for the Arles agglomeration following a meeting at the 2020 Summit. Via a virtual assistant deployed for the municipality, the company now accompanies the community in a reduction of its waste and generates thousands of interactions with the inhabitants. A dozen structures of the circular economy are also listed and highlighted on the platform. “With this simple and accessible tool, we hope to raise awareness on waste reduction among as many people as possible,” explains Mandy Graillon, vice-president of ACCM (Arles Crau Camargue Montagnette), in charge of waste collection. Sorting is an essential gesture, which will be one of the major axes of our waste treatment policies.”
Eco-friendly packaging solution significantly reduced environmental footprint of a famous French cosmetics brand.
Melvita & Hipli
Melvita’s collaboration with Hipli, an eco-friendly packaging solution discovered at ChangeNOW LEX 2021, has transformed their delivery process. Customers now enjoy receiving Melvita skincare products in reusable Hipli packages, which can be effortlessly returned via La Poste mailboxes. The concept behind this initiative is to offer responsible Hipli packages that can be reused up to 100 times, significantly reducing Melvita’s environmental footprint.
The Desertification Fresk, a new workshop created through the collaboration of a solution and an institution
Sand to Green x COP15 on DesertificationFollowing their participation in ChangeNOW 2022, Sand to Green, a startup cultivating deserts thanks to unique agroforestry model and solar desalination, forged a significant partnership with Alain-Richard DONWAHI, president of COP15, focusing on project development, R&D, and education to combat desertification. Together, they unveiled the Desertification Fresk, showcased at the World Food Forum and COP28. This collaborative initiative is reshaping the narrative on desertification and exemplifies the power of innovation.
Reforestation Acceleration with Google’s Startup Program
Morfo x Google
Participating in ChangeNOW 2023 has boosted the progress of Morfo, a solution to reach industrial scale reforestation to tackle global warming. Morfo integrates cutting-edge technologies such as drones, agritech, machine learning, and computer vision, complemented by a robust business model. As exhibitors at the event, they connected with the Founder of Google’s Startup for Sustainable Development and subsequently became part of the program, gaining access to valuable advisors and funding opportunities. Additionally, their encounter with moderator Elizabeth Corse during a conference session has opened doors for them to participate in other significant sustainability events.
Every year ChangeNOW is the place for hundreds of impact stories to begin!
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About
ChangeNOW is a social enterprise that accelerates the environmental and social transition.
ChangeNOW communities is a non-profit association governed by the French law of 1901. Its aim is to facilitate and organize educational, artistic, cinematographic or scientific projects of general interest that promote the protection of the natural environment.
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