Project Harmless, an Edinburgh-based eco start-up, is among 14 new businesses announced today as ambassadors for the Start Up Loans programme, part of the British Business Bank.

Founder George Greer received a loan from the Start Up Loans programme via its Business Support Partner, Virgin StartUp, in September 2022. This finance was used to expand his line of sustainable dog waste bags, following a surge in demand from consumers in the USA. 

Since then, the business has diversified into new markets with the launch of Harmless Fashion, a range of plastic-free accessories designed to combat greenwashing in the fashion industry and support the UK textiles sector. The collection, featuring a previously unused tartan designed for the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, includes tote bags, laptop cases, and dog leads. 

As part of its global expansion strategy, the business has recently extended its presence south of the border by opening a new office in Marylebone, London.

Project Harmless was set up during the Covid-19 pandemic when George noticed high concentrations of plastic dog waste bags along the shores of Loch Long while walking his Swiss Shephard, Noah. This gave him the idea to re-purpose a water-reactive, non-toxic and microplastic free material to develop a new class of dog waste bags that dissolve in the open environment.

Since it began, the Start Up Loans programme has delivered more than £71 million to 7,500 Scottish start-ups, with an average loan value of £9,515.

The annual Start Up Loans ambassadors programme, now in its ninth year, celebrates inspiring UK business owners who have launched enterprises using finance from this government-backed scheme. The selected ambassadors embody the resilience, creativity, and determination required to make a smaller business successful, and aim to inspire other entrepreneurs across the UK.

George Greer said: “As a purpose-driven business, our products help tackle the growing environmental issue of plastic pollution. Project Harmless started when I realised just how harmful dog waste bags are, and the same goes for fashion.

“Many UK fashion brands claim to be sustainable, but their products are often made outside the UK and EU and most contain several types of plastic. There is a clear gap in the market for an alternative that is genuinely plastic-free and made by craftspeople earning well above the living wage in Scotland. But we’re not stopping there. We also plan to expand into new markets with innovative solutions in renewable energy and carbon capture, reinforcing our commitment to addressing climate change.

“The initial loan was pivotal when starting up, covering manufacturing costs and building up our inventory, which was key to growing our customer base. I’m thrilled to be selected as an ambassador and hope to inspire others to take the plunge and start their own business.”

This year, in addition to 12 ambassadors drawn from each of the UK’s nations and regions, two more ambassadors have been selected. These business owners represent two important groups supported by the programme, who may face challenges in accessing finance elsewhere: one from the ex-Armed Forces community and the other from the Gen Z age group.

Barry McCulloch, senior manager, UK Network, Scotland, at the British Business Bank, said: “I am delighted to welcome George as the new Start Up Loans Ambassador for Scotland. He embodies the determination and drive essential for business owners in the current climate. I am confident he will inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, and I look forward to working with him and helping to share his story.

“Our mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK and support the transition to a net zero economy by improving access to finance for smaller businesses, such as Project Harmless.”

Gareth Thomas, small business minister, added: “These new ambassadors are prime examples of the innovation and ingenuity of the UK’s small firms. Access to finance is crucial for SMEs to succeed, and the Start Up Loan scheme is a lightning rod to that success. We know that when small businesses are given the tools to thrive, it leads to growth, more jobs and helps to boost the whole economy.”