Startup Orange Parrot supported by GT4T in protecting their technology through IP

What if facades and roofs not only provided protection, but also actively contribute to a cooler and more pleasant living environment? Orange Parrot*), a startup collaborating with regional incubator ZWINC and Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, is developing an innovative heat-reflective tile for facades and roofs: a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. It is a solution that keeps buildings noticeably cooler and addresses the growing challenge of urban heat.

Embedded in the ZWINC network where GT4T is contributing to, the startup took an important step in protecting its technology by initiating its intellectual property (IP) process. This gives the company not only the opportunity to better protect its innovation, but also lays the foundation for further market introduction and growth. Contributing to Europe’s green transformation, one step at a time.

Smart and good for the next generation
Orange Parrot is a startup founded by two chemists with more than 40 years of combined experience, who are dedicated to developing materials for a better world. Their mission? To create material innovations that are smart, but above all good enough for the next generation. "We want to develop products the way our children deserve them," say founders Michel Tichelaar and Alwin Papegaaij.
They work on smart material innovations, such as wool socks without hidden nylon. But irst and foremost, they are developing their own concept; cooling facade tiles originate within Orange Parrot and, once sufficiently mature, can grow into spin-off companies together with a partner. "We develop the innovation, and together with partners or co-founders, we scale it up."

Innovations that close the loop
What drives Orange Parrot goes beyond technology. The Orange Parrot emerges whenever a more sustainable option for a product can be explored. That means bio-based instead of petrochemical, biodegradable or even compostable where possible, and free from harmful substances such as PFAS. It means materials that can be neatly separated or reused after use, and products that are so durable that they last for years. Not disposable fashion or fast solutions, but innovations that close the loop.
 

*) Orange Parrot is affiliated with ZWINC, which stands for Zwolle Incubator, founded by Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, the Province of Overijssel, and the Municipality of Zwolle. They help startups in manufacturing and IT to launch, build, and grow.