EcoPaws
We are a team of students from a Business Academy who refused to let a great idea stay on paper. After winning 1st place in an international startup competition between the Czech Republic and Sweden, we decided to turn our vision into a reality. This year, we are officially launching our student company under the JA Czech (Junior Achievement) programme, proudly supported by the Tomáš Baťa Foundation.
Our Mission: Upcycling with Purpose
At EcoPaws, we believe that waste is just a resource in the wrong place. We manufacture unique, eco-friendly toys for dogs and cats using recycled clothing, with a primary focus on durable denim.
We collect pre-loved garments from our schools and local communities. Even our toy fillings are made from shredded textile offcuts, ensuring that we utilise every single scrap of material.
Our production is not just about efficiency; it's about people. We collaborate with sheltered workshops, providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Looking back, my Erasmus exchange in Sweden was easily one of the most incredible things I've ever done. Before we even set foot in the country, we were already hard at work, paired up with local students via video calls. Let's just say that navigating a screen to screen partnership had its moments like laggy Wi-Fi and awkward mutes included. But it was a brilliant match. Since the Swedish curriculum has a massive focus on entrepreneurship, our partners were absolute pros at the financial side, which left us free to dive headfirst into the creative direction.
The real head-scratcher was deciding what on earth to sell. The lightbulb moment for dog toys didn't actually strike until much later. I think it was TT who threw the idea into the ring and from there we just kept refining it. Everyone chipped in with their own little touches until our winning brand, EcoPaws, was finally born.
When we eventually arrived in Sweden, the hospitality was next level. Working with the local students was a genuine privilege. I will never forget one afternoon when the rest of the group decided to head off for a relaxing wander through the city. Our Swedish partners were determined to polish our presentation to perfection. So we became the only team to hunker down in a café, nursing our coffees and working away for a good two hours. It was intense, but looking back, it was the best decision we could have made.
On the day of the presentation, the nerves were through the roof. Honestly, I was just so relieved to have it done and dusted that I didn't even care about the results. So when they called out EcoPaws, I was absolutely floored as it was a total shock. We spent our final couple of days soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying a bit of retail therapy. It was time brilliantly spent and I am so glad I took the plunge.
