GREENUP

Establishment of the organisation/initiative/enterprise

Ivaylo Tsochev is a young entrepreneur from Varna who aims to make positive social change through his business. His Zero Waste project offers alternative solutions to tackle pollution, and its mission is to educate people about the consequences of overconsumption and not only offer quality products but also contribute value by maintaining an online blog, informative videos, presentations and workshops for reducing personal waste.

Ivailo graduated from the American College in Sofia and is currently studying international business economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. He has completed the online training on global warming and pollution – ClimALT (supported by the Erasmus+ Program).

In his work he contacts a number of like-minded people and businessmen who work in the field of ecology and sustainable practices. He has built strong relationships with businesses and organisations that support his initiatives to develop youth entrepreneurship and the environment. He is also the organiser of the ECO Project competition, which gives a chance to realise the ideas of young people with solutions to current environmental problems.

Management structure and governance

GreenUp is an initiative created by the young entrepreneur Ivaylo Tsochev with the financial support of America for Bulgaria Foundation and a number of business and educational partners.

Principles of work, objectives and activities

Zero Waste is a small Bulgarian business working for a sustainable future and innovative solutions to major problems.The initiative GreenUP is focused on entrepreneurship as the solution to pressing problems and issues and its goal is to bring together the most motivated and ambitious entrepreneurs and give them a practical program and valuable mentors and let the magic happen. The training camp is divided in three modules:

• Ecology: The Ecology module aims to show the problems that need sustainable business solutions – dealing with waste, optimising emissions, closing the production cycle are growing areas in the business of the future.
• Business: The mentors leading this module have many years of experience in consulting start-ups – they are well aware of the difficulties that a new entrepreneur faces. Formulating a solution to a real problem, drawing up a marketing strategy and business plan are some of the topics covered.
• Start-up: The most important step in creating a start-up is the exchange of knowledge and experience. Although funding attracts the attention of future entrepreneurs, it is of secondary importance for the success of the business venture. There are countless examples of failed start-ups that have managed to attract investors – what they have in common is the lack of sustainability of the business model or instability between the founders.

In start-up language, GreenUP is a pre-accelerator boot camp that aims to bring together ambitious entrepreneurs with their co-founders and mentors for a successful start. GreenUP gives the framework for validating the idea and connects young entrepreneurs with equally dedicated supporters.

Target groups

GreenUp looks for participants – young people (aged 18-30) from the Northeastern region of Bulgaria as individuals or teams who have already had a green idea or just want to learn how they can contribute to the green transition. GreenUp looks for people with an interest in the startup business model, as well as a focus on GreenTech, AgroTech and Circular Startups (solutions supporting the circular economy). Young people are more motivated to contribute to sustainable development. Ivaylo chose the Northeastern region because it does not have a sufficient ecosystem for start-up businesses.

Innovation

GreenUp is the first such initiative in Bulgaria. The innovative characteristics are the topics and organisation of the boot camp, especially in a region with insufficient entrepreneurial ecosystem. In an intensive week, selected young people have the opportunity to go through all the stages of development of a startup, to meet experienced entrepreneurs and representatives of the Bulgarian startup ecosystem, as well as, to learn a lot about the rules of sustainable business.

Key partners

GreenUp is supported by national and international non-profit organisations and businesses. America for Bulgaria Foundation provided funding to ensure the free participation of young people. Botanica Life Foundation provided the premises for the event and funds for the winners to start their business. Institutional partners are the University of Economics – Varna, UEBN, Varna Free University, Vocational High School for Fashion and Design – Varna, Rotaract Club Varna, Interact Club Varna, Vasil Levski High School of Finance and Economics – Dobrich, ect.

Impact and Evaluation

GreenUp has a positive impact on the participants, businesses and community. In 2021, 20 young people went through the bootcamp and were also supported with financial stimulus to put their green ideas to practice. The initiative brought together a number of business and educational institutions for activation of youth potential for change.

Recommendations

The boot camp similar to GreenUp can be implemented in any country or region. The essential aspect is the support from established businesses, civil society organisations and educational institutions to establish the right ecosystem that can train, support and fund young people’s green ideas.

Lessons Learned

Ivaylo Tsochev as a young entrepreneur with a cause managed to prove that young people are full of ideas and creative solutions that need a little push to be turned into reality. The lessons learned in the establishing of GreenUp initiatives is the professionalism of experts, practitioners and businesses that can be easily chanalise for the next generation of green entrepreneurs who are able to protect the environment in a sustainable and creative manner.

References

The GreenUp website.

Varna24.bg (2021). Млади хора ще се състезават в първия стартъп лагер в Североизточна България [Young people will compete in the first startup camp in Northeastern Bulgaria], 8 June, Varna24.