The best way to keep a landfill clean is to prevent waste from ever reaching it. By minimizing the need for new raw materials, which often require energy-intensive methods to extract, the circular economy can lower the carbon footprint of production. This is the business model of Vancouver’s ChopValue. The B.C.-based circular product solutions manufacturer […]
ChopValue
Half of Canada’s Most Investable Cleantech Ventures Call B.C. Home in 2024 Foresight 50
At a time when climate concerns are at an all-time high in the province, a new list of Canada’s most investable cleantech companies reveals that one half of them are based in British Columbia. Should we be surprised? Vancouver is regarded as a top 10 Cleantech cluster worldwide. Foresight Canada, the nation’s largest cleantech accelerator, […]
B.C. Invests in ChopValue to ‘Set New Standard of Responsible Manufacturing’ with Circular Solutions
Global circular product solutions manufacturer ChopValue this week announced a $4 million investment from InBC Investment. InBC is a strategic investment fund created by the Province of British Columbia aimed at driving financial returns alongside positive impact. “ChopValue is a pioneer in the circular economy, transforming waste into value-added products,” stated Leah Nguyen, who serves […]
ChopValue Celebrates 100 Million Chopsticks Recycled with $7.7 Million Funding Round
Vancouver’s ChopValue marks two key milestones today: transforming its 100 millionth chopstick into new products and closing a $7.7 million funding round to expand its decentralized microfactory network. ChopValue is the brainchild of Felix Böck, a former UBC doctoral student in the faculty of forestry who studied bamboo as a building material. The sustainability brand […]
Local Startups to Showcase Zero-Waste Innovation at Vancouver Event
Toward the end of this month, the Zero Waste Conference hits Vancouver and will showcase some of the city’s innovative startups disrupting the clean technology space. Presented by Metro Vancouver and the National Zero Waste Council, the theme of this year’s event is “A Future Without Waste: Regenerative and Waste-Free by Design.” The two-day event […]
10 Homegrown B.C. Startups to Watch in 2022
2021 is in the books and despite what we’ve all been through, it was a pretty good year for the Vancouver tech community and the province as a whole. Tech companies specializing in everything from geo-fencing to non-fungible tokens, from green construction to legaltech, have been leading an unprecedented unicorn stampede for the local economy. […]
ChopValue Partners With London Drugs To Encourage Urban Harvesting
Vancouver’s ChopValue has landed a new partnership with London Drugs that will see the sustainability brand’s recycled chopsticks front and centre. In addition to having chopstick collection bins available at every London Drugs location, ChopValue’s interactive Closed Loop displays will be featured at select stores that enable consumers to drop off their used chopsticks and shop […]
ChopValue Secures $3 Million Round That Includes Former Shopify CMO
Vancouver’s ChopValue has raised $3.15 million in new funding from existing shareholders Fulmer & Company and Active Impact, with participation from BDC Capital, Export Development Canada, and others including Craig Miller. Miller is the former Chief Marketing and Chief Product Officer of e-commerce darling Shopify. ChopValue is the brainchild of Felix Böck, a former UBC […]
How ChopValue Turns Used Chopsticks Into Furniture, Shelves, and Desktops
A research interest in bamboo and a love for sushi inspired a University of British Columbia student to launch a line of home décor products made from recycled chopsticks. Fast forward four years and you’ll find ChopValue’s products at retailers like Nordstrom and Simons. ChopValue is the brainchild of Felix Böck, a former UBC doctoral […]
entrepreneurship@UBC Launches New Climate Venture Studio Stream
entrepreneurship@UBC has launched a Climate Venture Studio stream to support UBC researchers and innovators building breakthrough solutions to the climate emergency. Leveraging entrepreneurship@UBC’s venture building experience and its network of business mentors and advisors, the Climate Venture Studio will work hands-on to identify climate-driven market opportunities, nurture high-potential climate solutions emerging from UBC research and […]