RBS has selected EnergyDeck as a finalist in the Innovation Gateway; a major international search for new ways of reducing energy, water and waste.

Launched in March this year, the RBS Innovation Gateway attracted more than 140 submissions in just 40 days, from brand new concepts through to market-ready products and services.

The ideas came from innovators and small businesses (SMEs) around Britain and the world, from Perth in Scotland to Perth in Western Australia. The best ideas will be tested on the RBS estate of 2,500 buildings and branches in the UK.

Marcela Navarro, Head of Customer Innovation at RBS, who is leading the Innovation Gateway initiative, said: “Everyone connected with the RBS Innovation Gateway has been incredibly impressed by the innovators’ creativity and dedication to resource efficiency. The quality and the range of ideas have been phenomenal.”

Over the last six months an independent panel of experts from academia and the business world has worked with RBS to analyse each submission, to assess how they could help drive resource efficiency if the innovation was installed on the RBS estate.

Marcela Navarro said: “Our world-class panel of subject-matter experts have brought their knowledge and passion to the Gateway, carefully assessing each submission. We are delighted to say that 97% of all submissions were reviewed by at least five experts in the Innovation Panel.”

Being named as a finalist takes EnergyDeck just one step away from seeing its innovation installed by RBS. The company will now go before a Dragon’s Den style panel at the bank’s London headquarters on 10 November for one final pitch.

As well as helping RBS save more energy, water and waste, the Innovation Gateway has two more aims; to cultivate unique and awe-inspiring innovations and to help SMEs accelerate their access to market.

The RBS Innovation Gateway is an ongoing scheme. For information and details on how to apply please visit: https://www.innovationgateway.rbs.com