LeapSprong’s 2024 startups six months later

What happens after the spotlight fades? Six months after being awarded, three LeapSprong startups have implemented their bold ideas into the real world. With tailored support, they have secured funding, enhanced their visibility and landed partnerships. Let’s take a closer look at how Accu’t, ParaStruct, and CarbonOrO have grown, what they have achieved, and how you can be part of the next generation of innovators.

Accu’t: second-life EV-batteries on the move

Accu’t gives EV-batteries a second life by transforming them into mobile energy storage systems for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s), such as constructions companies and event organizers. When founder and CEO Bas van den Brenk joined LeapSprong, Accu’t was a lean operation with six mobile battery systems. Fast forward to six months later, the startup has tripled in team size and more than doubled its systems. From powering events in Amsterdam to quoting charging stations for Schiphol’s electric baggage carts, Accu’t is scaling fast.

“The matchmaking and networking capacity of the Municipality of Amsterdam, Rockstart and the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam are amazing. We met other founders and found real business opportunities.” – Bas van den Brenk, CEO and Founder of Accu’t 

As part of the extended support program, Accu’t also underwent a team assessment, which proved to be a game-changer for hiring. The insights it provided helped Bas identify the right talent to grow his team. Meanwhile, mentorship focused on standardizing contracts and preparing his business for scale: key steps in Accu’t’s journey from startup to scale-up. With growing demand for clean, mobile energy solutions, Accu’t taps into the region’s need for flexible and sustainable energy systems.

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ParaStruct: From waste to worth

For Freia Ruegenberg, co-founder of ParaStruct, the energy transition isn’t just about power—it’s about materials, too. Her startup develops circular construction materials to relieve industries from their biggest pains: resource scarcity, waste excess and CO₂ emissions. Through LeapSprong, Parastruct began exploring one of Amsterdam’s most persistent waste challenges: bottom ash from the city’s waste incinerator (AEB). Instead of letting it pile up, ParaStruct is investigating if the ashes can be turned it into high-value construction materials.

“LeapSprong gave us the momentum we needed to take the next step. The support and sparring sessions were incredibly valuable. LeapSprong matched us with AEB, kicking off this collaboration. We are hopeful that our partnership with AEB will evolve into a lasting business relationship.” – Freia Ruegenberg, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Parastruct.

The startup is also working to prove that pollutants in bottom ash can be safely retained – an essential step towards regulatory approval and market adaptation.  When successful, Parastruct could unlock a scalable and circular solution for one of the city’s most complex waste streams.

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CarbonOrO: Capturing carbon, creating value

CarbonOrO develops carbon capture solutions for industrial flue gasses. Through LeapSprong, Jan Hoppenbrouwers, Chief Commercial Officer at CarbonOrO, has identified a new carbon capture and utilization value chain with industrial giant Cargill and carbontech scale-up Paebbl. Together, they are exploring how captured CO₂ can be reused in construction materials. 

“The biggest value was the visibility and credibility the program gave us. It helped us move from concept to real partnerships - and helped convince Paebble to choose this project in Amsterdam over options in Switzerland and Scandinavia.” – Jan Hoppenbrouwers, CCO of CarbonOrO

Through LeapSprong, CarbonOrO secured EUR 70,000 in funding from the Shell Impact Fund and the Municipality of Amsterdam to conduct a feasibility study with Cargill and Paebbl in the Port of Amsterdam. As a member of the ETCA community, the startup also gained access to a network of experts to further help bring the project to life. By anchoring these innovations in the region, CarbonOrO is laying the groundwork for a new industrial value chain that could remove up to 40 tonnes of CO₂ – a meaningful step towards decarbonizing Amsterdam’s industrial sector.

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Now it’s your turn

The journeys of Accu’t, ParaStruct, and CarbonOrO show what’s possible when a good idea meets the right support. In just six months, these startups have made real strides in growing their businesses and contributing to the innovative spirit of the Amsterdam region.

Now, LeapSprong is scouting for its next cohort of innovators. Are you working on a flexible solution for a sustainable industry? From innovations for flexible storage and logistics in sustainable energy vectors, to circular solutions for industrial heat re-use and circular material flows, to smart energy management solutions that enable intelligent industrial operations.  

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👉 Apply now to join the next edition of LeapSprong and help shape the future for a sustainable industry.