Notpla—whose mantra is "we make packaging disappear"—is competing with 14 other firms for five prestigious awards, to be dished out by the prince and a star-studded cast at a ceremony in US city Boston on Friday.
In its second year, the initiative to reward innovative efforts to combat climate change will then be broadcast on UK and US television on Sunday and Monday, respectively, as well as online.
The five winners will each receive a £1 million ($1.2 million) grant.
The co-creator of Notpla, which rather than using environmentally damaging plastics makes various naturally degrading—and even edible—packaging from seaweed and other marine plants, says they have already felt the competition's benefits.
"Just being there is a massive boost to our visibility," French co-founder Pierre Paslier, 35, told AFP.
"So that's already a huge asset to be part of the finalists and I think that if we win, it's just going to be that on a much larger scale."
Together with fellow former Royal College of Art student and co-founder Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, 38, the duo began their eco-business adventure in a small London kitchen.
“The Earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet, or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve. People can achieve great things. The next ten years present us with one of our greatest tests – a decade of action to repair the Earth.”, - Prince William.
