Sarah Angold, Founder & CEO of 29acacia
Who is Sarah Angold?
I am a 43-year-old climate tech entrepreneur, lover of fashion, systems change and lychee martinis.
What is the story behind your company 29acacia and why does the world need your solution?
The banana is the most eaten fruit on the planet. But did you know, the banana tree only fruits once, EVER? After that, itâs felled and burned. 29acacia buys this tree waste (a byproduct of the food industry) from low income farmers, raising thousands out of poverty and preventing waste burning. The waste is re-valorised using 29acaciaâs unique technology and the resulting high quality fibre is turned into yarn and fabrics that feel just like cotton, for use across fashion and beyond. 29acaciaâs fibre has 87% lower carbon footprint and 1/10,000 the water use of organic cotton - a game changer for an industry responsible for a mind-blowing 10% of the globe's carbon emissions and 20% of plastic use. Oh, and it's already cheaper than linen!
How would you explain what you do to an 8-year-old?
Instead of this, Iâve asked my eight-year-old son to explain it to me!
âMy mum turns banana trees that are usually burned into fibre and textiles and itâs good because she makes trash and waste into a beautiful material. This stops pollution that will make the world nasty and people get sick and maybe die.
What are you most proud of in your journey so far?
My relationship with my cofounder. Varun and I couldnât be more different. Iâm from London, I founded a global fashion brand and dressed Kim Kardashian. Varun has spent his life supporting his neighbours - low income farmers in a developing nation. At first, we barely spoke the same language, but we both HATE waste. The patience and empathy we put into building our relationship, in striving to understand the deep cultural differences between us and our nations, is at the heart of why this company works. Itâs why weâre scaling solutions that no one else could, and why we are affecting genuine systems change across international and cultural borders.
What do you think about our WICT community?
Everyone inside WICT has the odds stacked against them. Not just because climate solutions arenât straightforward, but because theyâre fighting gender and political battles too. Hereâs the good news; you know what women are bloody good at? Community. Empathy. Acting for the greater good. WICT is essential to support some of the toughest, yet most important work on the globe because we know that together we win.
Do you have a role model? If so, who and what do you admire most about them?
I respect anyone taking risks for a fairer, more equitable world. Zac Polanski is making remarkable waves right now.
If you had a free billboard at Piccadilly Circus for one month, what would you put on it?
Iâd have the worldâs biggest celebrities read out and debunk ridiculous lies from dangerous right wing leaders. Jimmy Kimmel âmean tweetsâ style, but daringly political. Theyâd all be dressed in banana fabric, natch.
Follow 29acaciahere to learn more about their story and connect with Sarah via Linkedin.
