Husqvarna : begins a joint pilot with Watts Battery – one of the winners of Sustainovate Open 2021
100 unique start-ups responded to Husqvarna Group's circular innovation challenges in Sustainovate Open 2021 and we are now happy to announce the winner in the challenge by Husqvarna Construction Division: Watts Battery.
In September 2021 Husqvarna Group opened up the second edition of Sustainovate Open, a start-up challenge that recognizes and rewards the most disruptive innovations that bring people, nature and urban environments together, while contributing to a circular economy. The aim of the competition is to make our products and services even more resource-smart and efficient with the help of the start-up community.
Husqvarna Construction Division launched a challenge with a focus on sustainable ways of charging batteries on both urban and remote construction worksites.
We were happy to see a high level of participation with more than 100 unique start-ups responding to our challenges from all three divisions. Among the participants we saw a great mix of new startups and more established companies, and we received submissions from all over the world. After careful consideration we selected a handful of candidates to the final stage, discussing what a joint potential pilot could focus on and in the end a first final winner has now been announced - for the Husqvarna Construction Division challenge.
Portable and modular energy storage solution
Watts Battery has developed a portable and modular energy storage solution. This unit charge battery and corded tools at remote places without access to the electricity grid, avoiding the use of fossil-driven alternatives. With this joint pilot we want to explore the possibility to use the unit in a construction environment that sets high requirements on the robustness of the unit.
Gardena Division searched for new ways to increase circularity across its product line. In this challenge, we also selected a winner and will initiate a pilot project with a very promising startup. Husqvarna Forest and Garden Division's challenge was aimed at sharing and rental solutions with a focus on emerging markets. More to come on these two challenges.
About Sustainovate Open
In 2020, Husqvarna Group launched Sustainovate Open with the ambition to accelerate the shift into a more circular economy. This year, the competition was further developed in collaboration with Combient Foundry, a venture client alliance with the capacity to reach the global start-up community. Together, we defined one challenge from each division in Husqvarna Group.