Svendborg harbor is home to the startup MicroChange. Their vision is simple: Make water great again. They intend to do this through their plug and play solution. Here they can clean the water and recycle excess phosphorus from lakes and streams in value-creating value chains.
The problem with too much phosphorus in streams and lakes is that there is too much algae.This means that plants and vegetation cannot grow, and the fish population will decline.
The way the FLOW program was put together was fantastic. There was a huge dedication among the participants, and we were able to spar with each other on a new level – Sarah, founder.
Through the FLOW – Beyond Beta program, MicroChange is one step closer to their vision. Through the program, they have gained a greater overview of their strengths and opportunities in a safe network. Something founder Sarah Hammershøy really appreciates.
Workshops with value
Sarah and MicroChange especially highlight the FLOW – BeyondBeta workshops as valuable. Among other things, they got an overview of the funding opportunities that are waiting for companies.
The overview Sarah and the team got at the funding workshop gave them strength in writing a MUDP application:
We didn’t know what it meant to apply for a MUDP and what it required. FLOW gave us that.
Together with partners, MicroChange has been awarded DKK 260,000 in MUDP funding, which they are using to further develop their solution. In addition, they are currently working on another application.
As part of FLOW – BeyondBeta, MicroChange was paired with other tech startups where they were able to spar with each other – and challenge each other.
The fact that you have to consider a problem with a completely different company gives you inputs you don’t normally see/consider.
Instead of sitting with their own colleagues and patting themselves on the back, MicroChange ideas were challenged, which gave them new experiences:
It’s good to get some outside criticism – we got that in FLOW – and it has developed our own product.
Today, MicroChange spar with Odense-based startup RobSub when developing new prototypes or simply exchanging ideas.
Advice is cheap but important
As a piece of advice to other startups, Sarah says directly: “Ask for help and say yes to the help that comes.” MicroChange asked for help from locals and got it. They have received samples from the local wastewater treatment plant in Svendborg for testing. They also received advice from former mentors from SIMAC – The Maritime Educational Institution in Svendborg.
All help is welcomed with open arms and the team behind MicroChange has benefited from all the help they have received through FLOW – BeyondBeta. The next step for MicroChange and Sarah is to get their solution ready to go to Lemvig to run tests and “make water great again”.
MicroChange has participated in the FLOW – BeyondBeta program run by Clean. It is supported by the Danish Board of Business Development and the European Social Fund.
