Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the mission of the START2ACT project is to support young SMEs and startups to save energy and cut costs at their workplace. To fulfill this mission, we are offering free-of-charge mentoring and training activities in nine European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and United Kingdom.

A key area of intervention in START2ACT to increase energy efficiency through behavioural change is office equipment, the fastest growing energy user in the business world, consuming 15% of the total electricity used in offices, which is expected to rise to 30% by 2020. START2ACT aims to trigger the use and uptake of the many available tools and solutions offering a great potential for energy and money savings, yet still not adequately used due to lack of understanding of how to use them in practice and due to insufficient engagement of people towards changing behaviour in everyday life. In addition, START2ACT aims to trigger sustainable procurement of office equipment connected to the operation of a company, including the selection and furnishings of premises (HVAC, lighting, etc.), and goods and services. In doing so, START2ACT aspires to sow the seeds of a sustainable energy culture in start-ups and young SMEs.