We are proud to support a large community of businesses who put sustainability at the heart of what they do through our BIPC services, available in libraries around the UK. This Green Libraries Week we reached out to just a few of them, to find out their stories and gather tips on how you can take your first steps towards sustainability.

 

Start small but start now

"At Poppy Eco Hub we focus on sustainability because it’s essential to reduce environmental impact without compromising business performance or finances. Every business has a responsibility to do its part, and for us that starts with building quick, green websites.

 

The digital world, while often overlooked, contributes significantly to carbon emissions. Our goal is to change that by creating energy-efficient sites that reduce carbon output. Clients benefit not only from eco-friendly websites but also from faster load times and better SEO. By optimising everything from code to hosting, we ensure sustainability doesn’t come at the cost of speed or functionality. It’s about making choices that are good for the planet and great for business.

 

The Get Ready for Business Growth programme and other BIPC services have been instrumental in our journey. The Intellectual Property and Trade Mark workshops were invaluable in helping us protect our brand as we scaled and working with BIPC Northamptonshire has connected us with grants and resources that were vital for our growth. For any business just starting out, we highly recommend getting in touch with them. The advice, support and opportunities they offer can make a huge difference.

 

Our advice to any business working towards sustainability goals is simple: start small but start now. Sustainability doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Begin by identifying the areas of your business that have the most environmental impact, then find ways to reduce it. 

 

It’s also important to engage with experts and resources, like your local BIPC, to help you along the way. Sustainable changes not only benefit the planet but can also improve your business performance and appeal to a growing eco-conscious audience.

 

We recommend the following websites to help you on your journey:

 

Sustainable Web Manifesto – Pledge your commitment to digital sustainability, just like we have done.

Your Virtual Carbon Footprint – Data and statistics about global digital emissions.

Ecograder – How green is your website?

Website Carbon Calculator – Test your own website."

- Marie Cox and Daniel Lister, Poppy Eco Hub

Think long-term

"At Cyclehoop we ensure that our business focuses on climate and sustainability because we see it as a key responsibility in shaping a healthier and more resilient future for cities and communities. Congestion, pollution and carbon emissions pose serious health risks in urban areas, which can all mitigated by cycling.

 

We believe that providing secure, accessible cycle parking is a crucial part of encouraging this shift. We are aiming to reach Net Zero by 2050, aligning our efforts with global climate targets and ensuring that we are actively contributing to the solution. For us, sustainability is a long-term commitment to supporting greener cities, enhancing urban mobility, and ultimately making a tangible difference in the fight against climate change.

 

It’s great to have BIPC resources readily available in shaping the development of our carbon reduction plan and environmental policy, providing key information and frameworks that can help us refine our strategies.

 

Our advice to businesses seeking to improve their sustainability is to think long-term. Start by identifying where your environmental impact is most significant and focus on reducing emissions, waste or resource use in that area. Track your yearly progress and ensure transparency both internally and externally. Leveraging partnerships is crucial to discover more sustainable ways to do business. We also definitely recommend seeking out resources like BIPC, which can provide invaluable guidance and support for businesses aiming to build sustainability into their core strategies."

 

- Anthony Lau, Founder of Cyclehoop

 

Look for partners who can help you

 

 

"As a circular clothing company, the core of our business Verte is sustainability. I'm passionate about it because fashion is the third biggest contributor to carbon emissions (more than the shipping and aviation industries combined) which a lot of people aren't aware of. Once you look in to it and hear stats like that fact that a lorry's worth of used or unsold clothing is dumped in the Global South every second, I find it hard to believe you wouldn't become passionate about it. Verte is here to challenge that, encourage people to get more use out of their existing clothes and keep items in circulation for longer.

 

Sustainability is important to me because of the impact fashion is having on the planet, but also because it's only going to get worse as our consumption keeps picking up pace coupled with a growing population. Shopping is something that almost everyone does and there are very few options for ways to shop sustainably and in a nice environment. My mission is to help bring people together, build their confidence and create amazing experiences for people to shop pre-loved.

 

There is over 30 billion pounds worth of unworn clothing hanging in people's wardrobes, so I want to put it work! It's natural for us all to evolve our style, want new things, grow out of things but so much joy comes from feeling good about the clothes you wear that I want people to continue to experience this without feeling guilty or harming the planet any more.

 

The Get Ready for Business Growth programme has helped me drive the clarity I've been looking for in terms of messaging and direction for my business. It reignited my passion for what I was doing because I carved out time to step back and look at why I started the business in the first place. My mentor was brilliant and so helpful and I feel has moved me along in a way I couldn't have done alone.

 

My advice to those working towards their sustainable goals is to not give up, even though the money might be flowing in the wrong direction. There is a greater good you're working towards and if you don't try, we'll never get there. Look for partners who can help you because we can't do it all, and one of them just might be able to do the part you can't. It's ok to not be able to do everything and as the saying goes: 'we don't need a few people doing sustainability perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly'."

 

- Jessica Brunt, Founder of Verte

 

Do your research

"Sustainability is important really to us all. We don’t want ourselves or our children growing up in a world that is getting filled with rubbish so that future generations will have to make hard sacrifices for our selfishness. We all can make better choices, and Higham Refill allows anyone to do so.

 

The BIPC has been amazing for me. They helped me set up my business and pointed me in the right direction to get it to grow. They offered me a chance to win a grant to improve it further and make us more sustainable, and when I was stuck two years later they still offered me advice and help on how to change my business model.

 

I wouldn’t be here today with my shop if it wasn’t for the BIPC.

 

My advice for becoming more sustainable would be to research. There is nothing wrong with asking for advice and guidance, whether that be from your local BIPC or other businesses within your sector. You will often find that people will generally want to help and see you grow towards a more sustainable future. I would also advise to keep an eye out for any sustainability grants available. These help tremendously towards your business becoming more sustainable."

 

- Laura Curling, Founder of Higham Refill

 You can't do it alone

"Layrd Design are a young company that employs young designers and we feel that it is our responsibility to put the planet first and make as much of an impact as we can. We are also asked to meet ESG (environmental, social and governance) targets and show what impact our designs have on our client's carbon footprint.

 

Ensuring we are sustainable is important to us because we are aware that the construction/building industry has contributed a lot to global warming. See extract below:

 

'Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions: 28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction.' - World Green Building Council

 

We have the ability to change this for the better and it is our duty to do so. For example, 0ur flagship event Future Spaces was born to showcase sustainable and wellness-inspired design solutions to the design industry.

 

The Get Ready for Business Growth programme has allowed me to focus on the growth of our business, set further goals and grow as a team and company. Growing the business has allowed me as the founder to be more focused on sustainable solutions and ensure both Layrd and our projects are fully sustainable-focused.

 

The advice I would you give to businesses who are also working towards sustainability goals would be to keep pushing and being consistent with your aims. When we were first talking and pushing sustainable design our clients were more cost-focused and less interested. This has now completely changed and we're actually being engaged because of our sustainable focus. I would also say you can't do it alone, so look for supporters or suppliers in your network that can help drive the same messages as you."

- William Mayes, CEO and Founder of Layrd Design Ltd.

You can celebrate Green Libraries Week with our panel of small business owners that are pursuing their sustainability goals and get tips on how you can do this too at Start-Up Stars: Championing Green Businesses on Thursday 10 October. Get your free tickets here.

A night of inspiration and achievement 

At the Business & IP Centre (BIPC), we had the pleasure of hosting an awards ceremony to celebrate the incredible women finalists who participated in the National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) Women’s Launch Lab incubator programme. The event was a highlight of National Women’s Enterprise Week, a celebration of women in entrepreneurship founded by entrepreneur Alison Cork MBE, a BIPC Ambassador, run in partnership with the BIPC. 

Meet the winners 

The two cash-prize winners of the programme were Beatrice Larkin (start-up winner) and Jenny Wordsworth (scale-up winner). Both women impressed the judges with their innovative ideas and dedication. We can’t wait to see what more they achieve in the future. 

Beatrice, who has used the BIPC said:  

“The Women's Launch Lab was an intensive brilliant few days filled with workshops and networking, and I met some brilliant, inspiring entrepreneurs on the course. I found out about the opportunity through The British Library and the Business & IP Centre after completing their Growth Mentoring Programme and I am so glad I applied. The BIPC is such a fantastic resource that I will definitely be accessing further as my business grows. In the past I wouldn't have called myself an entrepreneur, always describing myself as a textile designer with my own business. Being part of National Women's Enterprise Week and winning the Start-Up award has given me the confidence to now call myself one!” 

A panel of inspiring women 

To complement the awards ceremony, we hosted a panel discussion featuring four successful women entrepreneurs who have used the BIPC to boost their businesses. The panel was moderated by Alison Cork MBE, the founder of NWEW and Make It Your Business. 

“To have a room filled with so many female entrepreneurs dedicated to creating more opportunities for all female entrepreneurs is quite something and to be one of the panel this year was great!” - Amelia Packham 

Meet the panelists 

• Amina Alkzemi: Founder of Amina AI, an AI-driven solutions brand. 

• Suki Pantal: Founder of Suki's Curries and Spices, a culinary ambassador and storyteller of Indian culture. 

• Amelia Packham: Founder of Cool Crutches, a company that designs comfortable and stylish walking aids. 

• Esther Soloman-Turay: BIPC Lewisham Ambassador and founder of Authentic Worth Publishing. 

“There is power in unity when we come together and work as a team - we must learn to give others an opportunity to show their skills and serve the upcoming generation of entrepreneurs willing to make a difference in the world, starting with the community one step at a time. With the help of the BIPC and their services, they have helped Authentic Worth with opportunities to talk about my business journey, meet other like-minded business owners and those desiring to start a business. I hope business owners and entrepreneurs will be able to access the resources they offer and utilise it for the growth of their personal and professional endeavours.” 

- Esther Soloman-Turay 

Why National Women's Enterprise Week matters 

National Women's Enterprise Week is a crucial initiative that aims to support and encourage women to start their own businesses. Despite the fact that women are more likely to turn a profit in their first month of trading than men, they still face significant challenges in the business world. NWEW works to address these challenges and create a more equitable environment for female entrepreneurs. 

A night to remember 

The awards ceremony and panel discussion were a resounding success. It was inspiring to hear from so many talented and driven women. We are proud to support the next generation of female entrepreneurs and look forward to seeing what next year’s National Women’s Enterprise Week brings. 

Congratulations to all the participants and the winners of the Women’s Launch Lab incubator programme! Sign up to our workshops to boost your business and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to hear about our upcoming events and next year’s NWEW and Launch Lab.  

 

It’s World Photography Day, so we thought we’d highlight a few notable patents on the subject.

 

Daguerre – English patent 8,194 of 1839.

First up is the Daguerreotype, the first commercial photographic process, which was invented by Louis Daguerre in France. Not only did it produce highly detailed photographs, but it shortened exposure times from hours to minutes. The French government acquired the rights to the process and presented it ‘free to the world’ on the 19th August 1839. Unfortunately, a patent had been filed in England five days before; meaning English photographers were not allowed to use the process without first paying a license fee.

 

Eastman – US patent 388,850.

In 1888, George Eastman patented and released the Kodak, the first successful roll-film hand camera. It was sold with the film pre-installed and, once all the photographs had been taken, the camera was posted back to the company who handled the developing. The camera, with a new roll of film installed, would be posted back, along with the developed prints of course. Hence the slogan ‘You press the button, we do the rest’. Photography had never been so easy.

 

Land – US patent 2,543,181.

 

 

Polaroid founder Edwin H Land held 535 patents over the course of his life, but it is the invention of self-developing / instant film that he is best remembered. Even in the age of camera phones, his Polaroid camera remains an icon.

 

Want to learn more about the importance of patents and why they matter to your intellectual property (IP)? Check out our free webinars and workshops, or book in a free one-to-one with our IP experts today!