Shepherd & Wedderburn backs more "green tech" startups

Law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has renewed its sponsorship of the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation’s Low Carbon Ideas Lab.

Since its launch in 2014, the Ideas Lab has been providing support, mentoring and world class accommodation for fledgling startups in the green technology space. To date the scheme has benefited individuals and groups who have generated product ideas capable of propelling Scotland towards a low carbon economy.

To date the Lab has supported entrepreneurs from various sectors (water, smart cities, transport, big data), and this year’s intake of seven will be able to tap into similar support to help them commercialise their product ideas.

Examples of products developed include a small wave energy device that can be used at fish farms and offshore platforms, and an affordable solar lantern for use in developing countries. Success stories include the "Retromixer", by two Edinburgh-based innovators, Artur Napiórkowski and Denny Schenk, an adapter that mixes hot and cold water streams which has been marketed commercially following an appearance on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

As well as sponsoring a "desk" at the Ideas Lab office, Shepherd and Wedderburn corporate solicitor, Eilidh Gillanders will provide Ideas Lab residents with legal advice in areas such as forming a company, understanding contractual issues, and exploiting and protecting intellectual property. This is the third year the firm has supported the Lab.

Danny Lee, corporate partner, commented: "The firm has a strong tradition and considerable experience in advising and helping innovative technology and renewables businesses realise their objectives, so we look forward to playing our part in helping the Ideas Lab residents understand and navigate the operational and legal challenges they may face in these sectors.”