TEN YEARS OF SUCCESS
In 2014, Landbell Group has established Europe’s first startup prize for the Circular Economy with a specific goal: to invest and innovate for the future by promoting circular economy startups. Over the first decade, this commitment paved the way for our evolution into a thriving startup ecosystem centered around circular practices.
We have forged a community of circular economy startups, receiving almost 2000 applications, identifying 60 exceptional finalists, many successful winners and channelling investments exceeding €1,2 million.
THE INSPIRATION
One of the biggest challenges humanity is facing today is the drain on natural resources by conventional consumer industries – and the immense amount of waste caused by disposable items. We want to help realise ideas that make the most efficient use of resources and reduce waste drastically – from products to services and technologies. Therefore, our CEO Jan Patrick Schulz came up with an award that facilitates Circular Economy innovations in 2014: the Green Alley Award was born.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2024
PulpaTronicsPulpaTronics
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.
Finalists:
AraBat, Carbon Cell, Ecopolplast, NOOSA, Novapedra
2022
VOLTFANGVoltfang
Voltfang from Germany offers a green electricity storage system solution using only second life batteries from electric cars. With their special technology, the Voltfang system can store excess energy from solar panels and provide clean energy to companies and private households.
Finalists:
ScrapAd, MakeGrowLab, Flexi-Hex, Atelier Riforma
2021
Traceless Materialstraceless materials
Traceless Materials from Germany offers a biobased home-compostable alternative to single-use plastic. With their special technology, agricultural industry residues are transformed into a sustainable alternative to film or hard plastic packaging or plastic coating.
Finalists:
Carbonauten, Dimpora, Kleiderly, ReSync, TrusTrace
2019
GELATEX TECHNOLOGIESGelatex Technologies
Gelatex Technologies from Estonia offers an eco-friendly alternative to leather. This textile is made from the low-value gelatine waste of the meat and leather industries without the use of toxins – so it’s organic and biodegradable.
Finalists:
Cellugy, LivingPackets, RMF Tech, Venvirotech, Flustix
2018
AEROPOWDERAeropowder
The UK startup Aeropowder uses feather waste from the poultry industry to produce sustainable thermal packaging. After cleaning and treatment, the feathers are covered in a certified, compostable, food grade liner.
Finalists:
Circular IQ, Ecoplasteam, MIWA, Refurbed, Superseven
2017
SULAPACSulapac
The Finnish startup Sulapac invented a 100% biodegradable premium packaging made from FSC-certified wood and natural adhesives. It’s the perfect alternative to conventional plastic boxes for luxury goods like cosmetics or food.
Finalists:
Sustonable, Mimergy, Solmove, Sulfotools, Newcy
2016
GREEN CITY SOLUTIONSGreen City Solutions
Green City Solutions invented CityTree, a solar powered installation consisting of moss cultures that filters the air in cities. It works based on the Internet of Things and measures the plants’ requirements in real time.
Finalists:
Glowee, Mimica, Das Tiffin Projekt, restado, ResQ Club
2015
ADAPTAVATEAdaptavate
Adaptavate from the UK developed a product called Breathaboard, an eco-friendly alternative to plasterboard. The Breathaboard paneling is made of 75 percent agricultural waste and regulates moisture in buildings.
Finalists:
Infarm, Binee, Entocycle, Votechnik, Solstrøm
2014
REPACKRePack
RePack from Helsinki reduces packaging waste in e-commerce by creating a multipath system for reusable packaging
Finalists:
Pandacup, Kaputt.de, Original Unverpackt
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2024
S.LABPulpaTronics
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.
Finalists:
Carbonauten, Dimpora, Kleiderly, ReSync, TrusTrace
2023
S.LABS.Lab
S.Lab from Ukraine offers a biobased home-compostable alternative to polystyrene. With their special technology, agricultural waste and hemp are transformed into a sustainable alternative extended polystyrene material.
Finalists:
Carbonauten, Dimpora, Kleiderly, ReSync, TrusTrace
2022
VOLTFANGVoltfang
Voltfang from Germany offers a green electricity storage system solution using only second life batteries from electric cars. With their special technology, the Voltfang system can store excess energy from solar panels and provide clean energy to companies and private households.
Finalists:
Carbonauten, Dimpora, Kleiderly, ReSync, TrusTrace
2021
Traceless Materialstraceless materials
Traceless Materials from Germany offers a biobased home-compostable alternative to single-use plastic. With their special technology, agricultural industry residues are transformed into a sustainable alternative to film or hard plastic packaging or plastic coating.
Finalists:
Carbonauten, Dimpora, Kleiderly, ReSync, TrusTrace
2019
GELATEX TECHNOLOGIESGelatex Technologies
Gelatex Technologies from Estonia offers an eco-friendly alternative to leather. This textile is made from the low-value gelatine waste of the meat and leather industries without the use of toxins – so it’s organic and biodegradable.
Finalists:
Cellugy, LivingPackets, RMF Tech, Venvirotech, Flustix
2018
AEROPOWDERAeropowder
The UK startup Aeropowder uses feather waste from the poultry industry to produce sustainable thermal packaging. After cleaning and treatment, the feathers are covered in a certified, compostable, food grade liner.
Finalists:
Circular IQ, ecoplasteam, MIWA, refurbed, Superseven
2017
SULAPACSulapac
The Finnish startup Sulapac invented a 100% biodegradable premium packaging made from FSC-certified wood and natural adhesives. It’s the perfect alternative to conventional plastic boxes for luxury goods like cosmetics or food.
Finalists:
Sustonable, Mimergy, Solmove, Sulfotools, Newcy
2016
GREEN CITY SOLUTIONSGreen City Solutions
Green City Solutions invented CityTree, a solar powered installation consisting of moss cultures that filters the air in cities. It works based on the Internet of Things and measures the plants’ requirements in real time.
Finalists:
Glowee, Mimica, Das Tiffin Projekt, Restado, ResQ Club
2015
ADAPTAVATEAdaptavate
Adaptavate from the UK developed a product called Breathaboard, an eco-friendly alternative to plasterboard. The Breathaboard paneling is made of 75 percent agricultural waste and regulates moisture in buildings.
Finalists:
Infarm, Binee, Entocycle, Votechnik, Solstrøm
2014
REPACKRePack
RePack from Helsinki reduces packaging waste in e-commerce by creating a multipath system for reusable packaging
Other winners:
FoodLoop, GreenLab Berlin
Finalists:
Pandacup, Kaputt.de, Original Unverpackt
OUR JURY IN BERLIN 2024
Jan Patrick Schulz
CEO, Landbell Group
Umberto Raiteri
President and CEO, ERP
Sarah Schäfer
Head of Investment and Project Manager, OneCrowd GmbH
Isabel Thoma
Head of Impact Communications, traceless materials
Katrin-Cécile Ziegler
Environmental Economist, Digital Expert, Tech Journalist
Julia Bialetska
CEO and Co-Founder, S.Lab
Martin Wright
Chair of Positive News
Lucas Jonas
Head of Product & Business Development, Voltfang