Start-ups across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong are being given the opportunity to receive funding and expertise from Bupa to develop innovative solutions that improve the health of people and the planet through the 2023 eco-Disruptive program. 

The eco-Disruptive program connects selected start-ups with Bupa’s people along with £25,000 in initial funding to help create bold solutions to some of the biggest challenges threatening our planet. As part of the global competition, start-ups will also go in the running to win £200,000 in additional funding to further scale their solution. 

Roger Sharp, Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, Bupa Asia Pacific said Bupa’s ecoDisruptive program aims to encourage a greater understanding of the link between the health of people and the health of planet Earth.

“We want to start a movement for sustainable innovation by harnessing the passion of our people and the start-up communities across the Asia-Pacific region,” added Roger.

“Unlike big businesses, start-ups often have the ability to move fast and innovate which is valuable given we are all in a race to Net Zero. That’s why supporting the start-up community is a really important strategy for us.” 

This is the third year the eco-Disruptive program has been running with Australian start-up Cassava Bags Australia winning the global competition in 2022 along with new opportunities to embed its products across Bupa’s operations. 

“By working with innovative start-ups who are focused on sustainable solutions, we’re working to create a culture for our people to find new ways to address environmental issues and to consider how we can restore and regenerate nature, especially in our cities.”

“We can’t wait to see what our teams and their start-ups develop across Asia-Pacific over the coming months!” he said.