Press Release 25 Sept 08: Fungi idea wins 500K
and Postcode Lottery awards 100K
Amsterdam, 25 September 2008 – With a revolutionary building material Eben Bayer has won this year's PICNIC Green Challenge, the international creative competition of the Dutch Postcode Lottery and cross-media event PICNIC. Lodewijk Asscher, Amsterdam's Deputy Mayor presented the € 500,000 prize to the 23 year old American. His invention is about insulation material that consists of biological waste material treated with special fungus. The prize money will enable him to bring it onto the market by 2010. "With his insulation material Greensulate Bayer shows the power of combining creativity, sustainability and entrepreneurship in the fight against climate change. This is what the PICNIC Green Challenge is all about," Asscher said.
In total, 235 people entered the contest, sending in ideas for products and services that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The jury praised the high quality of this year's pool of entries. The jury praises Bayers idea because it decreases CO2 emission on a world scale en can cause a revolution in the building industry.
The € 500,000 price was known before. After the presentation of the four finalists the Postcode Lottery unexpectedly awarded € 100,000 extra for the runner up. That was Capra J'neva, who's company Veranda Solar developed easy to use solar panels. "Her consumer friendly idea can give the use of solar panels an enormous boost", said the jury.
Four finalists presented their ideas to the jury in Amsterdam today. The other two finalists were:
- Jochen Mundinger of Switzerland, who developed a software tool for planning eco-friendly, efficient travel; and
- Peter Yeadon of the United States, who created an intelligent shading system for windows and glass facades.
Marieke van Schaik, Dutch Postcode Lottery:
"The Dutch Postcode Lottery seeks to make a difference by supporting creative entrepreneurship. It is important that everybody is aware that the climate is changing – but it is even more important to act."
Bas Verhart, PICNIC:
"PICNIC aims to bring people together, entrepreneurs in particular. It is fantastic to see how the Challenge accomplishes this."
