Inspiring Stories: Turn and Flow
As they get their crowdfunding campaign underway we caught up with Kimberly Dobney from Turn and Flow to find out all about their experience on the accelerator.
“The accelerator gave me the confidence to take the designs to the next stage”
– Kimberly Dobney
Business Overview
Turn and Flow CIC is on a mission to develop a recycling system for organic pads and tampons. Rather than polluting the planet by sending them to landfill or incinerating them, we want to make used menstrual care products a source of renewable energy and natural fertiliser.
Why Join the Accelerator
I joined the programme straight after university, having received a lot of interest in my final project. Since this programme is targeted at all stages of business it really suited me. I needed to figure out whether it was feasible to become a business. As Turn is a female orientated business it seemed quite fitting we should join this accelerator.
I didn’t think of myself as a woman in technology initially – I consider myself a designer – but the idea really needed tech to take it further. Our service needs constant communication through an online platform/app with the spaces that have the bins. A main challenge was to feed back data to those using the recycling system. This responsive communication platform is quite new for recycling and it accelerates behavioural change
Successes of the Business so far
• Registered a new business as a Community Interest Company (CIC)
• Developed a pitch deck and revenue model
• Formed partnerships with Cranford University and two leading organic manufacturing brands to start a trial
• Won an Oatley competition ‘Je ne sais quoi of the month’
• Created an educational film on the subtleties and stigma around waste disposal, launched on 16th March 2020. This is supporting our crowd fund campaign through Natwest Back Her Business.
Benefits of the accelerator:
Programme and Workshops
For me this provided a helping hand into the world of business. All the resources were in one place and I received support to define my need and value proposition. The cohort of strong, empowered female entrepreneurs surrounding me were all willing to help. They were inspiring and had recent experiences to share.
Mentoring:
My industry mentor Rebbecca Hill and Tanya Mukherjee at Deutsche Bank provided one of the biggest benefits of the programme. I received a lot of help and they both believe in the value of Turn, from an equality sense too. They are passionate about making it happen.
We in Social Tech is an innovative accelerator, set-up to support ambitious women-led social technology businesses. The programme is delivered by Nwes, the largest not-for-private-profit enterprise agency in the UK, in collaboration with founding partner Deutsche Bank, through its social enterprise programme Made for Good. The tech accelerator programme will support a total of 60 social tech businesses by 2020.
Read more about the accelerator here>>
