About Innovate Zero II
Innovate Zero II is an 18-month programme delivered in partnership with London & Partners, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Sustainable Ventures. The programme is designed for venture-stage entrepreneurs scaling their commercial net zero and decarbonisation solutions to bring greater impact.
The programme covers venture development topics, including investment readiness and brand development.
About PulpaTronics
PulpaTronics develops fully recyclable, metal-free RFID tags. These can be used for clothing, are recyclable, cost-effective and enable inventory managers to improve margins and meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets.
In retail, RFID technology enables clothes to be scanned at the cash register by using simple electronic circuits to identify and track products via radio signals. The technology is routinely adopted in commerce and transportation, and helps with inventory management, theft prevention and checkout.
PulpaTronics’ laser technology reduces CO2 emissions by 60% and costs by 30% by transforming paper into conductive circuits, creating fully recyclable carbon-based paper RFID tags. As a result, these tags reduce the environmental footprint of RFID tag production.
The challenge
PulpaTronics was facing challenges relating to a lack of knowledge and insights into its market. Specifically, it wanted clarity on market sizing and the competitors in the sector and sought guidance on how to address these concerns.
The company also wanted support and guidance on financial modelling for their business, as well as advice and additional knowledge on how to scale up its manufacturing.
These concerns led PulpaTronics to apply for the Innovate Zero II programme after seeing a notification in an email newsletter, and started in September 2025.
How Innovate Zero II helped
Innovate Zero II paired PulpaTronics with a Sustainable Ventures Innovation Advisor. The initial work focused on developing the company’s market position and go-to-market strategy. This highlighted some technical limitations, like the RFID reading distances, and together they reviewed market opportunities for product improvements.
Our impact
The partnership with the Sustainable Ventures Innovation Advisor and Innovate Zero II has significantly informed PulpaTronics' fundraising roadmap and go-to-market strategy. It has also provided the company with the right learning and tools to develop its business and has helped it build credibility with investors.
As a result of being part of the Innovate Zero II programme, the company has since made new hires, including a full-time materials engineer to focus on product development.
Regarding future plans, PulpaTronics wishes to enter the event space (focusing on areas such as stadiums and reusable cup deposit schemes). The most critical next step is scaling the manufacturing line in London, with a goal of 5,000 tags per day in 2026, increasing to 15,000 to 20,000 tags per day by the end of 2027.
The business now has a clearer focus on commercial outreach areas. A new strategy involves partnering with large retail companies for early trials or pilots (as they are familiar with RFID) while clarifying the need to increase customer discovery efforts in the events space, where the product is expected to commercialise first.Chloe So
Co-Founder and CEO, PulpaTronics
About Phyta Biodesign
Phyta Biodesign is a London-based naturetech startup providing 3D printed habitats for wildlife. Its modular solutions provide precision engineered habitats for endangered species, such as pollinators and cavity-nesting birds, in nature-deprived, dense urban areas.
Its mission is to promote the coexistence between humans and ecosystems by making built up environments wild where possible.
Phyta Biodesign’s architecturally integrated green infrastructure solutions aim to counter the decline in urban biodiversity while utilising ecosystem services to enhance building performance.
The brand also offers a consultancy service that specialises in creating nature-driven experiences aimed at transforming traditional architecture into sustainable designs.
The challenge
Prior to joining the Innovate Zero II programme in August 2025, the business was challenged by its financial aspects and felt unprepared to manage growth and development.
Specifically, the business leaders at Phyta Biodesign were seeking guidance on financial modelling to understand how best to structure their financial goals and present them to investors.
How Innovate Zero helped
To build the company’s financial goals, Phyta Biodesign worked closely with the Innovator Zero II team to thoroughly understand and then model its financial projections.
Phyta Biodesign’s management has also benefited from a variety of support and believes it has grown in skills and confidence from one to one sessions, business mentoring and expert advice.
By discussing its concerns, opportunities and ideas in depth with experts, and listening to suggestions, feedback and different approaches, the team has been able to align its strategic objectives with realistic goals, actions and outcomes.
Our impact
The impact of being part of the Innovate Zero II programme has been significant for Phyta Biodesign. The financial model it has created, with support from the programme, has helped the business set future targets and fill in the gaps to achieve them.
With the support it has received, the company has more confidence in this process, in what to expect and in positive outcomes.
It also has more ideas and solutions to raise its profile, expand its offerings and move to the next stage.
As for what happens next, Phyta Biodesign is initiating its commercialisation through product sales. The business is also in the process of raising a seed round to scale up sales.
It was great working with the team. The super approachable attitude and collaborative structure made it very easy to communicate doubts and resolve issues together. We are currently using the model to present to investors during our seed fund raise.Zain Ansari
CEO, Phyta Biodesign