Undisturbed

Undisturbed makes hemp-based shower blinds as luxurious as they are practical and eco-friendly.

Problem

Shower screens and curtains come with a heavy environmental price tag, from the materials used to make them to the lack of biodegradability or recycling opportunity at the end of their life.

Solution

The UK’s first biodegradable, hemp-based, hypoallergenic shower blinds. The product has the additional benefits of being low-maintenance (cleaning is easy) and space saving (it rolls up like a blind rather than hangs like a curtain), and the heavier fabric doesn’t get tangled up in your legs in the shower.

Impact

Undisturbed will make an impact in several areas, from the luxury goods market to our carbon footprint.

During the Greenhouse programme the company:

• Developed a hemp-based shower blind for luxury, eco conscious and/ or hypoallergenic customers. Sustainable sourcing at the beginning, and biodegradability at the end of its life mean the product uses less resource and creates less waste than the existing plastic and glass alternatives
• Secured a final year Design Manufacturing and Engineering student research project in collaboration with Strathclyde University. The students will work for Undisturbed to develop a prototype from October 2018 to May 2019
• Conducted a Climate-KIC carbon audit to assess carbon savings each year. The two tons of CO2 saving are the equivalent of two passengers flying from London to New York. 

What did EIT Climate-KIC do?

Climate-KIC and ECCI supported Undisturbed with coaching, monthly workshops and grant funding of 2,000 euros. They also opened the door to networking opportunities with other low carbon start-ups, business mentors, coaches and advisors.

Jacqueline Bruce, founder, says this helped her understand the mechanics of successful pitching, and how to apply for funding and awards. In fact, she continued to apply for funding during the Greenhouse programme and secured c. £16,000. The commercial mentoring also helped her identify an additional niche for her product, the allergy market.

 “The Greenhouse programme provided the perfect platform to start to realise my idea and vision for the business. It was a fantastic experience, with workshops that provided information and knowledge that I was able to use every day to help move the start-up forward. Being at the ECCI itself was wonderful as it is such an inspiring space.” Jacqueline Bruce, founder, Undisturbed