WiSAR Client Company, MyGug, has today been announced as one of 28 global startups selected for the prestigious Harvard Climate Entrepreneur’s Circle programme, an incubation program for high-potential ventures working to address climate change.
The Harvard Climate Circle aims to cultivate the next generation of climate entrepreneurs who are actively uncovering new, unexpected ways to take on climate change. Climate Circle participants have access to world-class 1:1 coaching, pro bono legal counsel, warm connections to industry leaders, negotiations advising, and a peer group of ventures that are all working on innovative solutions to tackle climate change. The program is spearheaded by the Harvard Innovation Labs, HBS’s Business and Environment Initiative (BEI) and Harvard Alumni for Climate and the Environment.
Cork based startup MyGug, offer a complete food waste treatment system that operates in all weather and climate conditions, to turn food waste into biogas and liquid fertiliser.
MyGug founder, Kieran Coffey, approached WiSAR Lab to develop and refine the MyGug prototype, an innovative micro-scale anaerobic digester that improves food waste management in domestic and small business settings, by turning organic matter into renewable fuel. Prior to engagement with WiSAR, an initial MyGug prototype had been operational for 18 months however the controls of the initial MyGug prototype utilised a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) which was prohibitively expensive for the target sector.
Working with the company through the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher programme, WiSAR researchers redefined the hardware and firmware of the MyGug anaerobic digester prototype, and developed a database and web interface through an open source IOT platform to generate performance data. The system is fully automated and insulated, providing a convenient and efficient food waste disposal solution, which is environmentally friendly, produces no odour and has no vermin issues. The work carried out by WiSAR provided MyGug with a more cost-efficient PCB prototype, better meeting the needs of the target end user.
“The Harvard Climate Circle is helping ventures with fantastic climate innovations get to scale faster,” says Rebekah Emanuel, director of social entrepreneurship at the Harvard Innovation Labs, and Chair of the Climate Circle. “We are redoubling our commitment to accelerating ventures that are addressing climate head on, and look forward to seeing the incredibly important work that the second annual Climate Circle cohort accomplishes.”
About Harvard Innovation Labs
The Harvard Innovation Labs is a vibrant, cross-disciplinary ecosystem for the Harvard community to explore innovation and entrepreneurship while building deeper connections.
This article was first published on the WiSAR website.