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Gregory Constantine
Co-founder and CEO of Air Company
With a spirit of innovation, Gregory Constantine is recognized as a world-leading entrepreneur in business and marketing, landing him on the Forbes' 2017 30 Under 30 list. Leading all company strategy, operations and innovation, including marketing and product design, Constantine has accelerated the company from an early-stage startup concept into one of the world's most innovative companies. He has led the company towards adopting numerous profitable applications of its technology, including fragrances, spirits and rocket and aviation fuels, among others. He brings expertise in the arts with an undergraduate degree from The University of Sydney and a wealth of business acumen from the Executive program at Harvard Business School.
Judge’s selections
GlowForward Prize
LightEd is an inspiring and impactful initiative that creatively tackles two of the most pressing global challenges—energy poverty and environmental waste—through the lens of circular economy. By transforming plastic and e-waste into renewable energy products, LightEd not only addresses the growing issue of waste but also provides clean, affordable energy to underserved communities, particularly refugees and rural populations in Africa.
What stands out most is LightEd's approach to "People." The project is empowering individuals by giving them the tools to create their own energy solutions, like the modular Glow Lamp made from recycled materials. This focus on DIY innovation, combined with educational programs like LightEd Kids, ensures that communities gain valuable skills and become active participants in building a sustainable future.
On the "Planet" front, the environmental impact is clear: LightEd reduces waste, cuts carbon emissions, and promotes circular practices in a tangible, measurable way. What's also impressive is the project's sustainable business model. By balancing affordability with profitability, LightEd is not only creating solutions for today but also building a foundation for long-term, scalable impact. This combination of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility makes LightEd a standout and deserving candidate for the crQlr Awards.
TideTurner Prize
amuca® champions an upcycling process that—at face value—already exists. The recycling of ocean plastics is not necessarily a new innovation, nor is the recycling of waste fishing equipment, but it is their unique approach to attacking the problem at its source that offers the most novel solution. Working proactively and directly with fisherman and communities that rely primarily on fishing as a source of income, amuca® fosters direct relationships with key industry stakeholders to both educate them on the environmental impacts due to negligent practices, while establishing critical business incentives that give fisherman an alternative way of disposing of their waste equipment.
What makes amuca® stand out is:
Principally their adherence to the 3 P’s; they have created a proven product that impacts People on both ends of a complex and fraught supply chain, their product provides tangible alternatives to both practices and production methods across both the fishing and garment industry when applied at scale fundamentally improve the Planet’s ocean biodiversity, and the Profit of their product’s implementation can be seen both financially and ecologically as it creates premium fiber alternatives that could disrupt industries while creating a healthier ocean that fosters healthier growth in fish populations.
But fundamentally, it is their proactive method of operation that separates them from their comparable counterparts who rely heavily on recycling fishing industry or ocean plastic after it has already entered the water. amuca® has adopted an active posture to create measurable change, rather than the prevailing passive efforts.
amuca® represents an ethos that should be more widely adopted in order to create tangible climate solutions, their product is proven alternative that has the potential to impact a myriad of industries that are the largest contributors to environmental harm, but most critically, their product creates the truest form of a circular economy by connecting with individuals at both ends of a products life. The sourcing of materials directly with fisherman is critical, but creating products that consumers can hold in their hand and understand their role in creating change creates true advocacy and ambassadors for a cause.
Living Loop Prize
TOILETOWA offers a unique perspective on circularity by rethinking the role of everyday infrastructure in environmental regeneration. It challenges the conventional view of waste as something to be discarded or managed, instead presenting it as a resource that can be integrated into a larger ecological cycle. The project’s focus on transforming wastewater through complex fermentation and returning it to nourish local plants highlights how waste management can be both a functional and regenerative process, connecting people directly to the natural world in a way that is rarely done so visibly.
What I find particularly compelling is how TOILETOWA shifts the conversation from abstract sustainability concepts to hands-on, personal experiences. Visitors don’t just learn about the circular economy—they engage with it on a practical level, seeing how their own waste can be part of the regeneration of the land. This kind of direct interaction with sustainability principles is often missing from broader discussions, making this project not only educational but deeply engaging.
In a broader sense, TOILETOWA redefines what sustainable design can look like, moving away from high-tech, complex solutions and instead embracing the wisdom of traditional building techniques and local materials. It shows that sustainability doesn’t always need to be high-tech or global in scale; it can be local, deeply integrated into the community, and rooted in cultural knowledge.
Cemental Shift Prize
The Cement Project stands out as an exciting example of innovation in the building materials space. What really grabbed my attention is how it tackles a long-standing problem in construction: the environmental impact of concrete. By rethinking cement boards to not only reduce emissions but also incorporate natural processes like carbon absorption, it challenges the traditional view of concrete as an environmental villain, turning it into a solution for the circular economy.
What’s especially compelling is how the project blends technical innovation with a strong understanding of different markets. Adapting the design to suit both European and Japanese needs, while keeping sustainability at the forefront, is a smart and strategic approach. This isn't just about offering a "greener" material, but about creating something that responds to evolving demands in both functionality and environmental impact.
Ultimately, this project feels like a glimpse into the future of building materials — where design, performance, and sustainability come together seamlessly. It’s this bold and holistic vision that makes the Cement Project such a standout project.
Fragrant Futures Prize
Vleur offers a highly innovative solution to the global food waste crisis, which has severe environmental, social, and economic consequences. By upcycling food waste into essential oils that can be used to create valuable products like fragrances and face masks, Vleur provides a sustainable alternative that reduces waste and promotes a circular economy.
What stands out about Vleur is its accessibility. Consumers can use the product directly in their homes, offering a simple yet impactful way to address food waste. By directly engaging consumers, Vleur creates an opportunity for widespread change. As consumer demand grows, there is significant potential for larger businesses to follow suit, which could ultimately reinvent the food waste management system.
Vleur’s scalability and consumer-driven model make it uniquely positioned to create a broad impact. Its potential to reduce food waste, support sustainable practices, and contribute to the fight against climate change could be transformative on both a local and global scale.