RECIRCULAR: UNA SEGUNDA VIDA PARA LOS RESIDUOS

  • Esta plataforma colaborativa informa a las empresas sobre cómo valorizar sus residuos y les conecta con otras que los pueden utilizar como materias primas, para reducir sus costes y generar un impacto positivo social y medioambiental
  • Patricia Astrain, fundadora de recircular, impulsó el proyecto con su participación en el programa de preaceleración internacional European Coworkings EOI, una iniciativa de la Escuela de Organización Industrial cofinanciada por el FSE

Cada vez son más los nuevos modelos de negocio que apuestan por abandonar el paradigma económico lineal −basado en producir un producto, ponerlo en el mercado y desecharlo− por uno nuevo inspirado en el ciclo de la naturaleza, donde no existe el concepto de residuo: la llamada economía circular, que parte del principio básico de que el residuo de un proceso es alimento para otro.

En este contexto surge recircular, un proyecto creado por la emprendedora de Getxo Patricia Astrain. Se trata de una plataforma activa y colaborativa que informa a las empresas sobre las oportunidades de valorización de sus residuos, subproductos o restos de producción. Además, conecta a aquellas compañías que los generan con otras que los pueden utilizar como materias primas. Es decir, buscan dar una segunda vida a esos residuos y, de esa manera, reducir los costes de su gestión y los de compra de materias primas, a la vez que crean un impacto positivo social y medioambiental.

“Cuando una empresa introduce un residuo en recircular, el sistema le informa sobre las oportunidades de reutilización y calcula la transacción óptima en base a indicadores sociales, ambientales y económicos”, explica Patricia Astrain. “Posteriormente, conectamos automáticamente a los generadores con los potenciales consumidores para promover que las transacciones se realicen”.

Patricia (al frente del desarrollo de proyectos), Eva (comunicación y análisis de datos) y Alex (desarrollo de software) forman el equipo tras este proyecto, que recibió su empujón definitivo en el programa de preaceleración internacional European Coworkings EOI. Esta iniciativa de la Escuela de Organización Industrial (EOI) impulsa la creación de startups innovadoras con perfil internacional. Cuenta con la cofinanciación del Fondo Social Europeo y la colaboración de las redes de apoyo a emprendedoresImpact Hub, EBN y ANCES.

“Soy ingeniera y he trabajado en entornos industriales muchos años, en distintos sectores y países. Cuando vivía en China me di cuenta del impacto ambiental que causaba la gran generación de residuos, así que al volver a Europa me empecé a interesar por la economía circular”, recuerda Patricia. “A partir de ahí decidí empezar a trabajar sobre un concepto simple y tangible, que cualquier empresa entiende, como es la generación de residuos y la necesidad de materias primas”.

En la segunda edición de European Coworkings EOI, el proyecto recircular recibió mentorización y formación gratuita por parte de expertos europeos, complementada con una estancia de cinco semanas en un centro de innovación y emprendimiento de Londres. “Tienes acceso a un coworking, a mentores y a una red de emprendimiento local. Todo eso enriquece el proyecto, además de ser una experiencia personal muy positiva”, subraya Patricia Astrain al respecto de esta iniciativa.

“Además, estando allí conocí a mi compañera Eva y establecí relación con empresas, emprendedores, entidades públicas, otras aceleradoras e iniciativas de economía circular. Sigo viajando a Inglaterra a menudo, pues es un hub de emprendimiento magnífico, y aquel empujón que supuso para recircular aún se mantiene”, agrega la fundadora de recircular.

Actualmente, la empresa está centrada en proyectos de valorización de residuos con multinacionales y pequeñas empresas en distintos países de Europa, convirtiendo en recursos útiles productos de higiene femenina o retales de cuero de la industria del automóvil, por poner algunos ejemplos.

También lanzarán en breve el Programa de Embajadores recirculares, con voluntarios de distintas zonas de España que participarán identificando posibles empresas o sectores interesados en tomar parte.

El proyecto recircular fue seleccionado como Circular Innovator 2017 por el programa internacional LAUNCH, iniciativa fundada en Estados Unidos por NASA y Nike, entre otros, y apoyada en Europa por partners como eBay o IKEA. Actualmente, continúan trabajando en el Espacio 51, coworking virtual de EOI totalmente enfocado a startups del ámbito de la economía circular.

Más información en www.recircular.net

VIDEO GALLERY

Projects that include videos and / or images representative of the product / service have a greater impact on potential customers and investors.

In the section Configure your project, you can add the URL of the main video (elevator pitch) that will appear highlighted in the summary of your project. Additionally, you can add descriptive videos of your product, operating process, facilities, etc. These videos will appear in the «Project» tab, in the Project Gallery section.

The videos you include must be published on one of the two main social video platforms: YouTube or Vimeo. These are the guidelines of these two platforms to upload your videos.

Youtube videos

To upload a video to YouTube from your computer or mobile device you need to sign in with your Google account. If you do not have a created account, you can register here.
In the following link, you will find the video format specifications recommended by YouTube.

Once the session is started, follow the following steps:

  1. Access YouTube.
  2. Click Upload a video at the top of the page.
  3. Before you start uploading the video, you can choose the privacy settings of the video.
    • Public: All users can view and share playlists and public videos.
    • Private: Only you and the users you choose can see playlists and private videos.
    • Not listed: All users with the link will be able to see and share playlists and unlisted videos.
  4. Select the video you want to upload from your computer.
  5. While uploading the video, you can edit the basic information and advanced settings and decide if you want to notify your subscribers (if you uncheck this option, no communication will be established with them).
  6. Click on Publish to finish uploading a public video to YouTube. If you adjust the privacy settings of the video to Private or Unlisted, you can click Done to finish uploading it or Share to share it privately.
  7. If you do not click Publish, other people will not be able to watch the video. You can publish it later in the Video Manager if you wish.
    Once the video is finished uploading, you will receive an email from YouTube to notify you that it has been uploaded and processed.

To add this video to your campaign, you need the URL provided by YouTube. This URL is accessible from the «Share» button in the bottom bar of your video.

Copy this URL and add it to the field available for it, depending on where you want the video to appear.

If you want to appear as a featured video of your project, add the URL in the «Configure your project» -> URL of the main video.
If you want to appear in the documentation and files tab of the project «Doc & Media» of your project, add the URL in the section «Configure your project» -> Video gallery.

Vimeo Video

To upload a video to Vimeo from your computer or mobile device you need to have an account created on this platform. If you do not have a created account, you can register here.

In the following link, you will find the video format specifications recommended by Vimeo.

Once the session is started, follow the following steps:

  1. Access the video upload page of Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/en/upload
  2. Select the file you want to upload from your computer or from your file managers in the cloud.
  3. Before uploading the video choose the privacy settings of the video:
    • Anyone can watch this video
    • Only I can watch this video
    • Only people that I follow can watch this video
    • Only those who have the password can watch this video
    • Only who or choose can watch this video
  4. Select the video you want to upload from your computer.
  5. While uploading the video, you can edit the basic information and advanced settings.
  6. Click on Save to finish uploading the video. You will receive an email from Vimeo to notify you that your video is already available on your vimeo channel.

To add this video to your campaign, you need the URL provided by Vimeo. This URL is accessible from the «Share» button in the general administration bar of your video.

Copy this URL and add it to the field available for it, depending on where you want the video to appear.

If you want to appear as a featured video of your project, add the URL in the «Configure your project» -> URL of the main video.
If you want it to appear in the «Project» tab, in the Project Gallery section, add the URL in the «Configure your project» section -> Video gallery.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Present your project including all the details and possible documentation.

Highlights

Short messages that impact and awaken the interest of investors and other entrepreneurs.

Project Summary

It is a short speech used to make known the company, the project, the products and services, the equipment that makes it possible, etc. Build a direct message, with simple and structured language, that awakens the interest of the audience you are addressing. Some of the most valued aspects are:

  • Project Summary
  • How did the idea come about
  • Goals
  • What do you offer?
  • How will you achieve these goals
  • Advantages of betting on the solution you bring
  • Differentiating elements:
  • What does your product or service offer different?
  • Why they should trust you
Project image

Add images and videos to attract the attention of users. Some guidelines that will help you achieve it:

Choose a cover image that is representative of your project. Look for a striking and good quality image, is what users will see when you share your campaigns on your social networks.

Add an interesting video It does not have to be sophisticated, simply explain your idea to future investors to convince them. Including translations and subtitles help you attract a much wider audience to support your project.

Project documents

Add the documents that make up your business plan:

  • Executive Summary
  • Financial plan
  • Presentation of the promoter team
  • Value proposal
  • Model Business Canvas
  • Marketing plan
  • Others: production process, commercial presentations, technical detail of the solution, publications in the press, etc.

Project Documents

Includes all types of information that may be interesting for followers and potential customers and investors. The documentation that you upload in the file of your project can be public, accessible to all users or private, only you and the people to whom permission can access.

These are some of the most requested documents:

Initial presentation of the project

Explain here the following aspects of your project, will serve as a summary to have a first idea of how the project is. At least you must explain:

  • How did the idea come about.
  • The problem that is solved.
  • The current state of development of the project.
Presentation of the promoter team

How is the team that is starting up this project and those personal or professional aspects more relevant to their involvement in the company.

  • What are your motivations to undertake.
  • A curriculum of each of the promoters of the company.
  • The dedication you have to the project.
Empathy map

The starting point for the start-up of your project should be the clients, therefore you must make the empathy map of your idea or project with the objective of knowing the client to whom your project is going to be directed, which will help define the value proposition that will be developed. Answer here the main questions in relation to the client to which your project is directed:

  • What you see: consider aspects of the characteristics of the environment that surrounds you; your friends and close people; what offers the market already offers, …
  • What it says and does; how he acts when he is public, what he looks like; what is your attitude towards the proposals of the companies, what contradictions do you have …
  • What do you hear: what your friends say, your family, your staff, your bosses, the influential people in your environment; what information reaches you through what communication channels.
  • What he thinks and feels: what really matters to him; what are its main motivations, concerns, concerns, dreams and aspirations.
  • What are your main frustrations? What are the main obstacles to achieve what you want ?.
  • What are the benefits you can get? What do you really want to achieve? How do you measure success? What strategies would you use to achieve it?

You can use this template to make the empathy map:.

Value proposal

Explain here the value proposal for your clients based on the conclusions of the empathy map. You must explain aspects such as the solution you offer, to whom you offer it and why it is valuable to them. Answer the following questions in order to understand what the value proposition of your company consists of.

  • How your company, product or service solves the problem or need of your client.
  • What benefits should the customer expect from your service?
    Why you should choose you and not your competition. What is your differential value?
  • What your product or service will consist of based on the conclusions of the value proposal.

You can use this template to design the value proposition of your project.

Canvas of the Business Model

Explain here the different sections of the canvas of the business model:

  • Explanation of the customer segment, explanation of the value proposal, collection and communication channels, key activities, key resources, description of the cost structure and the revenue model.
  • Explanation of the customer segment: Who do you intend to offer your business model?
  • Explanation of the relationship with customers: What kind of relationship will you maintain with your customer segment?
  • Explanation of communication channels with customers: How will you know and evaluate, and how will you decide, buy and receive post-sale support for your customer segment?
  • Describe the value proposition of the company: What will you offer to your customer segment? In what way will you solve your problems?
  • Develop the key activities of the company: What activities are key for your business model to work ?.
  • Describe the key resources that will be necessary: Do you require one or more key resources for your business model?
  • Explain which are your key partners: Who will be the key partners to develop your business model ?.
  • Describe the cost structure of your company: What is your cost structure? What are the most important expenses of your business model ?.
  • Describe the sources of income of your company: What will be the way in which your model intends to finance itself and obtain income?

You can use this template to make the Canvas of the Business Model of your company.

Marketing plan

Explain here the variables of the marketing mix and especially the communication and marketing strategies that you will carry out, as well as the planned planning.

You can use these templates to make the Marketing Plan for your company.

Financial plan

Reflects in the Excel document the financial plan of your business: investment, financing, balances, amortizations, income statement, sales forecasts, treasury, and main ratios. You can download a copy of the financial plan here.

Executive Summary

It presents here in a very synthetic way the data of your business and all the main aspects that identify it.

You can use this template to do the Executive Summary of your company.

Demoday presentation

Reflect here graphically the presentation of your project, which will contain the description of the team, the problem and the solution, the product and the market, the business model, the marketing strategy, the current and expected results, the projections and financial needs, etc. The demoday presentation summarizes all aspects of the Lean Business Plan.

You can use these templates to make the presentation of the Demoday of your company.

Others: production process, commercial presentations, technical detail of the solution, publications in the press, etc.

Edit User Profile

It is advisable to complete the information of your profile first. It is your cover letter, it will be visible by other users and interested, so we recommend that you follow the following steps:

  • Choose a professional image/photograph.
  • Make a brief description of your professional career.
  • Include your technical skills and your personal skills.
  • Add your interests It allows users to know another side of you.
  • Link your social networks to promote your campaigns. Check that you have correctly indicated the origin of your initiative.

You can modify this information from your control panel-> Edit profile

Company Profile

Introduce your company to the network. If you do not have the company incorporated, including the information about your project in its place:

Summary of the company
  • Basic information
    • Name
    • Foundation year
    • Category and sector
    • Logo
  • Summary of the company identifying the lines of products and services that you offer
Contact profiles
  • Company email
  • Social networking profiles
Collaborators

Add the team that participates in the project. You can collaborate in the creation and management of your campaign if you give it permission to edit. It includes:

  • Role / Position
  • Full name
  • Email address
  • A brief description of your professional profile

How to register

Complete the mandatory registration information and accept the conditions of use:

  • Name and surname
  • Telephone contact
  • Email
  • Origin of the initiative.
    • If you have developed your business idea or are linked to an association, identify which one.
    • If you access the platform in another way, select Other and enter the name of the group, entity, etc. for which you have known us.
      Password.

You will receive an email message with the account activation link. If you do not receive this mail, check that it has not been saved in your spam folder (SPAM).

Follow the instructions to complete the registration process. From that moment you will be able to log in with your chosen email address and password.

¿Puedo compartir mi proyecto en redes sociales?

La comunicación es uno de los factores clave para conseguir clientes y posibles inversores. Es recomendable que promociones tu proyecto entre tus contactos personales y profesionales para conseguir el mayor impacto posible.
Anima a tus contactos a valorar y apoyar tu proyecto directamente en la plataforma o mediante redes sociales.

Herramientas de difusión
Las redes sociales son una herramienta muy potente de comunicación. Utilízalas para presentar tu proyecto, el equipo promotor, publicar actualizaciones, etc.
Enlaza tus perfiles de las principales redes sociales (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+) en la información de tu proyecto para compartirla directamente con tus seguidores.
Además desde el panel de control de la ficha de tu proyecto, podrás acceder a un widget para insertar la información de tu proyecto en la página web de tu empresa, blog o página profesional, etc.