TEN YEARS CELEBRATING CIRCULAR ECONOMY STARTUPS
In 2014, Landbell Group initiated the Green Alley Award as a demonstration of its commitment to future-focused investment and innovation. As this decade unfolds, we had the opportunity to see the great development of exceptional green entrepreneurs who have been propelling the circular economy in Europe. Our dedication to nurturing startups for a greener future, where a harmonious balance between economy and ecology thrives, remains steadfast.
Over the last ten years our goal has been the same: eliminate waste and minimize pressure on natural resources and ecosystems. While steps like the EU’s ban on single-use plastics are important, we understand that true transformation requires genuine innovators. This is why we firmly believe that the path to creating an economy that utilizes resources sustainably lies in startups -those lateral thinkers who challenge established processes, offer sustainable alternatives and convince consumers to follow suit.
Find out more about the ten years of the Green Alley Award in the video below!
GREEN ALLEY AWARD: THE STAGE FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY STARTUPS
In order to connect like-minded people and help startups take their next step, Landbell Group has established Europe’s first startup prize for the Circular Economy six years ago.
The Green Alley Award offers a unique chance to network – and the most-promising startup takes home a prize money of 25.000 €.
WHO CAN APPLY
The term Circular Economy has become too broad to encompass all its areas in one award. This is why the Green Alley Award is dedicated to three specific high-potential fields:
HOW TO APPLY
The 2021/2022 Green Alley Award application phase will start on 14 September. Check out here which criteria you need to fulfill:
GREEN ALLEY AWARD: THE STAGE FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY STARTUPS
In order to connect like-minded people and help startups take their next step, in 2014 Landbell Group has established Europe’s first startup prize for the Circular Economy.
The Green Alley Award offers a unique chance to network and the most-promising startup takes home a prize money of 25.000 €.
The term Circular Economy has become too broad to encompass all its areas in one award. This is why the Green Alley Award is dedicated to three specific high-potential fields:
The 2024 Green Alley Award application phase will start on the 11th of September 2023. Check out here which criteria you need to fulfill:
OUR PUBLIC VOTING
Each year, six startups will be at the Grand Finale and all of you can choose one of them from a selected number of startups. The winner of our public voting automatically secures a place in the final line-up. The five remaining finalists are selected by a committee of circular economy experts.
FACTS & FIGURES
PulpaTronics has developed chip-free, metal-free RFID tags made from paper. These novel tags do not require metal extraction and are more cost-effective and compatible with existing recycling processes.
The Green Alley Award 2023 goes to the Ukrainian startup S.Lab! Out of 226 applicants, the Ukrainian startup won the award with its green packaging material made of agricultural waste and hemp which can be an alternative solution to expanded polystyrene (EPS).
The Green Alley Award 2022 goes to the German start-up Voltfang! The company convinced the jury with their sustainable electricity storage system that uses only second life batteries from electric cars. In this way, the Voltfang system can not only extended the lifecycle of waste batteries but also store and provide excess energy from solar panels whenever it is needed.
Congratulations to traceless materials! Out of 189 applicants, the German startup convinced the jury with its biobased home-compostable alternative to single-use plastic.
Thanks to traceless' special technology, agricultural industry residues are transformed into a sustainable alternative to film or hard plastic packaging or plastic coating. The result is an all-natural material that is not only completely bio-based but can also be composted in your organic waste bin within two to nine weeks.
Congratulations to Gelatex Technologies! Out of 274 applicants, the Estonian startup won the day with its eco-friendly alternative to leather.
Gelatex’ innovative material is made from gelatine waste of the meat and leather industries – thus converting low-value leftovers into a high-value product. We really believe it has the power to disrupt established processes in the textile industry, save resources and reduce environmental impact.
Aeropowder’s unique idea was especially convincing at the Green Alley Award 2018: The startup uses waste feathers from the poultry industry to produce sustainable thermal packaging. After cleaning and treatment, the feathers are covered in a certified, compostable food grade liner. This textile is called pluumo and serves as an environmental-friendly alternative to conventional polystyrene packaging, PE-foams or thermal foil.
In 2014, over 160 kilograms of packaging waste was generated per inhabitant in the EU, most of which was plastic. As an alternative, the Finnish startup Sulapac has invented premium eco-packaging, which is 100% biodegradable, made from wood and natural adhesives.