VASCH has been named the June 2026 Startup Grant winner by WomensNet’s Amber Grant program.
The $10,000 Startup Grant recognizes early-stage women entrepreneurs developing promising businesses with the potential to create meaningful impact. VASCH was selected for its work transforming wood ash-an underutilized biomass waste stream-into valuable materials and products for more sustainable cleaning and packaging applications.
Founded by Hannah Nassiri, PhD, P.Eng., VASCH is developing two complementary pathways for ash valorization: ash-derived alkaline inputs for non-toxic cleaning products and ash-enabled materials for biodegradable, non-food packaging.
The grant will help VASCH continue advancing its research and development, testing, and path toward pilot-scale development.
The recognition also gives VASCH an opportunity to compete for one of three $50,000 Year-End Grants awarded by WomensNet to selected monthly grant recipients. Public voting is part of the year-end selection process.
Support VASCH in the Year-End Grant:
Every vote helps VASCH move one step closer to bringing its ash-valorization technologies from research toward pilot-scale impact.