Becs Percasky and Kate Bezar are the visionary co-founders of the Better Packaging Company (BPCo), a pioneering force in the global shift towards sustainable packaging. Since launching in 2018, their company has rapidly grown – now serving over 50 countries and thousands of brands with innovative packaging solutions that combat pollution, poverty and climate change. BPCo’s groundbreaking material, POLLAST!C, is made from 100% recycled Ocean Bound Plastic collected from Southeast Asian coastal communities, tackling ocean pollution while providing brands with a low carbon alternative to traditional plastic. BPCo. is now a world leader in the field, offering products like mailers, garment bags and pallet wrap.

Both Becs and Kate had long wanted to make positive environmental change coupled with a desire to do better business. Becs, an entrepreneur with a tech background, recognised the urgent need for sustainable packaging in eCommerce and joined forces with Kate and her expertise in design and social impact communications. Together, these creative powerhouses have taken their passion for the circular economy and developed a unique business model that funds the clean up of problematic plastic waste while helping brands reduce their environmental footprint with stylish, customisable packaging solutions.

As the co-founders of KiwiFibre, Ben Phillpotts-Scales and William Murrell (Ngāi Tahu) are pioneering sustainable innovation on the world stage by harnessing some homegrown goodness: our humble harakeke. By developing natural-fibre composite materials from harakeke – a native New Zealand fibre renowned for its strength and versatility – KiwiFibre’s revolutionary materials offer a solution which allows industry to overcome technical, environmental, and human health challenges associated with conventional fibreglass and carbon fibre.

After first dreaming up KiwiFibre during a group project at the University of Canterbury, Ben and William have seen quick success: raising over $5 million for their venture since inception in 2020, and remaining on track for further investment to drive growth. Their unique fibre has the potential for a diverse range of applications – from sports equipment to aerospace technology (and even the bumpers on New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon’s brand new electric rally car). Currently, KiwiFibre is the only company in the world using technology to turn harakeke into carbon fibre composite materials – and in 2024, earned a spot on the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list.

Carmen Vicelich is a dynamic entrepreneur whose ventures – Generate Zero, Valocity, and Data Insight – address critical global challenges in climate technology, financial inclusion, and data solutions. As the founder of Generate Zero, Carmen has developed a groundbreaking AI-powered platform that enables organisations to accurately measure, monitor, and reduce carbon emissions – helping industries achieve net-zero targets and comply with global sustainability regulations. Lauded for its innovation, Generate Zero has been adopted by major institutions across Australasia and was featured at New York Climate Week and COP28.

Carmen’s other ventures further her impact: Valocity streamlines property data to empower financial inclusion, and Data Insight helps organisations leverage data for informed decision-making. Recognised as EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Data and Technology, Carmen’s work has earned global acclaim while driving change in key industries. A passionate mentor and community leader, she also serves on boards such as UNICEF and Fintech NZ, embodying her vision of creating lasting, positive impact.

Emma Lewisham is Co-Founder and CEO of Emma Lewisham, a skincare company established in New Zealand in 2019. Renowned for delivering evidence-based skincare, uniting luxurious, high-performance, and natural formulations while leading the industry in sustainability, Emma Lewisham is available globally including in NZ, Australia, UK, Europe and USA.

Under Emma’s leadership, Emma Lewisham has become the world’s first climate-positive, circular designed beauty brand and introduced an industry-first circular beauty model, significantly reducing landfill waste and cutting 100 tonnes of carbon emissions to date. Emma’s dedication to transparency and environmental accountability has earned her recognition as both a beauty innovator and a champion of ethical business practices, including a personal endorsement from Dr. Jane Goodall.

With a background that includes postgraduate studies in physiology and biochemistry at Harvard University, Emma has relentlessly pushed the boundaries of skincare science. In the brand’s unique formulation physiology-first approach and world-leading independent testing, they’ve validated that their reversed approach to formulation design has delivered products that have shown an ability to outperform leading brands. Emma Lewisham’s belief in being a force for good has driven the brand to let physiology take the lead – a core principle that uses science to unlock the intelligence of nature to redefine what skincare can achieve. The scientific merit of this innovative approach has garnered the endorsement of Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Peter Agre. The brand’s global success and impact stand as a testament to Emma’s vision – inspiring consumers and companies to embrace sustainable innovation.

Murphy O’Neal is a trailblazer in modular housing, transforming the field with his innovative designs that simplify construction while championing sustainability. Murphy’s company Adaptable Solutions, are pushing to redefine the approach to affordable and accessible construction, by developing an environmentally friendly housing system that can be assembled by two people, two ladders, using five tools in just one day.

His designs use durable, recyclable aluminium, leveraging New Zealand’s eco- conscious production processes to create zero-waste solutions. Disassembly does not equate to the end of the life cycle for the modules, with each individual part able to be reused in a new application, resold into a circular economy or recycled back into production. At the heart of Murphy’s innovation are keyhole interlocking joints – a perfect balance of simplicity and advanced engineering – that enable rapid assembly for various applications: from emergency shelters and portable offices to shower and toilet blocks.

His system is an efficient answer to housing shortages, disaster relief, and economic pressures, reflecting Adaptable Structure’s vision for circular, sustainable housing. By challenging conventional construction, Murphy has introduced a game-changing model with the potential to reshape the way we think about affordable, accessible housing.

Paul William Keith Charteris is the brilliant mind behind saveBOARD – an organisation dedicated to transforming the built environment through the development of sustainable building materials. Using proven, scalable technologies, Paul and his team convert everyday waste materials into high-performance building products; ultimately reducing landfill and promoting a circular economy. Paul first started investigating upcycling in 2017, looking to technologies around the world for inspiration.

After a pivotal visit to the ReWall plant in Iowa in 2018, Paul returned to New Zealand to kick off his dream. Today, Paul has two plants; one in Hamilton New Zealand and one in Western Sydney, Australia. From these plants, saveBOARD offer unique building materials that have been created using zero water, glues, or chemicals. In addition, they are fully recyclable – leading the transition to a greener, more sustainable built environment.