Environmental entrepreneurs secure funding to develop biodegradable nappies start-up

Amee Richie, co-founder of Bampoo, is one of 12 social entrepreneurs to secure a share of £60,000 funding in the latest round of Start-It awards.

Delivered by social enterprise start-up agency Firstport, Start-It awards are part of the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund and support social entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground and running. 

Bampoo, founded by Amee Richie and Jake Elliott-Hook, is an eco-friendly social enterprise that produces biodegradable, toxin free nappies for babies. Bampoo’s nappies are made from 100% bamboo fiber and wood pulp which biodegrades meaning that their nappies will never end up in landfill or the ocean.

With 3 billion nappies ending up in landfill every year, Bampoo not only offers a solution to a huge environmental issue, but uses profits to deliver a Buy One Give One campaign, helping parents in deprived communities across Scotland. Meaning that every box you buy, they donate a box to a family in need.

These two social entrepreneurs are environmental pioneers, and are currently crowdfunding their other business S’Wheat- The Bottle that’s made from plants. If you’re interested in learning more about this venture then visit their crowdfunding page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/s-wheat-the-bottle-that-s-made-from-plants

Amee Richie, co-founder of Bampoo (above), said: “Firstport has been an incredible support to us and we are very grateful to be a Start-It Awardee, the funding we have received will allow us to order our first production run in order to begin trading via our E-commerce site in the coming weeks.

“We are excited to demonstrate our social impact while helping to reduce plastic pollution and supporting low income families with a sustainable alternative.”

Josiah Lockhart, Chief Exec of Firstport said: “The standard of our latest Start It Awards is evident in the number of successful awardees!

“It’s always a pleasure to see such high-quality social enterprise ideas coming through our doors. Bampoo is an exciting social enterprise tackling some key environmental issues, as well as delivering localised social impact! It’s going to be great seeing them get up and running.”

Bampoo was one of two Edinburgh-based projects to receive financial support. The other was Kim Hartley Kean, who also secured £5,000 for her Communication Inclusion People social enterprise.