Google’s Ukraine Support Fund awards Re-Leaf US$100,000 for fallen-leave packaging

01 Jun 2022 --- Ukrainian start-up Re-Leaf, creator of paper products from fallen tree leaves, has been awarded US$100,000 by Google’s Ukraine Support Fund, which was launched at the outbreak of the Russian invasion. 

Google announced in March that it would be giving US$5 million to Ukrainian start-ups in equity-free cash awards throughout 2022. Selected Ukraine-based businesses are being announced on a rolling basis, with the maximum award being US$100,000 in non-dilutive funding as well as ongoing Google mentorship, product support and Cloud credits. 

Eligible start-ups must have been founded and based in Ukraine before February 24, 2022. Start-ups must also have surpassed the minimum variable product stage with proven traction, such as products being on the market and generating early revenue. Google says that companies with a social impact mission will be prioritized.

“This hands-on support is designed to help Ukrainian entrepreneurs maintain and grow their businesses, strengthen their community and build a foundation for post-war economic recovery,” says the multinational technology company. 

Paper without trees 
Re-Leaf’s co-founder and business development director Alexander Sobolenko spoke to PackagingInsights recently to discuss material availability, performance versus conventional paper packaging, cost-competition, scalability potential, and the start-up’s next steps. 

“We will use this fund to strengthen our technology and scale our business. We are proud to be among these incredible Ukrainian start-ups. It is gratifying and strange to receive such recognition as the only manufacturing company in the cohort of IT businesses,” says Sobolenko. 

“Circumstances in Ukraine have put our project in a state of uncertainty for some time, but in order to be able to see the future, we continued to work. Therefore, we are pleased to share the first news about the first fruits of long work.”

Ukraine’s start-up scene 
Ukraine has a strong and vibrant start-up community. According to Google, of the roughly 2000 start-ups in Ukraine, 126 start-ups have raised venture capital funding since the beginning of 2021. 

Google will award US$100,000 to Re-Leaf.Google CEO Sundar Pichai met with a number of these Ukrainian entrepreneurs at its Google for Startups Campus Warsaw recently. Through these conversations, the company heard of practical ways it could help the start-up community.

“Funding is only one element of the support that is required. We’ve invited Ukrainian start-ups to use Google for Startups Campus Warsaw space as a temporary office. The first few start-ups – predominantly run by women who have fled the country – are already working from Campus, and we’ve witnessed their determination to succeed,” says a Google statement. 

“Support for Ukrainian-led start-ups will help them succeed and build the tech that their country needs now. And as the region starts to recover, start-ups and tech companies will be key to rebuilding the Ukrainian economy, creating jobs, and positively impact the cities they make their homes.” 

Conflict paper 
Re-Leaf’s use of fallen tree leaves to produce paper-based products like packaging is especially pertinent as many major companies have decided to divest and boycott their Russian operations since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. 

Stora Enso, Mondi and other major corporations have abandoned lucrative dealings in Russia, which is a multi-billion dollar trader in timber. 

Re-Leaf’s technology delivers a double advantage to its home country by avoiding the use of wood imported from Russia to produce its pulp and helping circularize the Ukrainian economy. 

By Louis Gore-Langton