The Green Alley Award is entering the next round: Right now, circular economy entrepreneurs and start-ups have the opportunity to present their business ideas. Landbell Group, originator of the Founder’s Award, encourages young companies to compete with their technology, service or product.

With the Green Alley Award, Landbell Group created the first European start-up award for the circular economy in 2014. Now founders and start-ups have a chance to present their innovative projects. No later than 25th June, 2019, they can submit their application for the GAA 2019 online via the website http://www.green-alley-award.com/. The winners will be announced in September.

The Green Alley Award 2018 is aimed at all start-ups and young entrepreneurs who have developed a business model in the areas of digital circular economy, recycling and waste prevention. We are looking for companies that are about to launch with their products or services or are already in the growth phase. We also welcome start-ups who want to expand into other European markets. The sole condition is that the business idea must help recycle resources.

From many ideas comes a common goal: a circular economy

 In a circular economy, the value of products, materials and resources should be conserved in the economic cycle for as long as possible while, at the same time, generating as little waste as possible. ‘In our current linear economy, not all products are recycled at the end of their lifecycle, wasting valuable materials.

Whether it’s the avoidance of plastics, the development of sustainable materials or the multiple use of products – the circular economy holds enormous business potential for young entrepreneurs and start-ups. This can be seen in the diversity of ideas from GAA winners over the past years. In 2017, the Finnish start-up Sulapac convinced the jury with a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging. The two scientists, Suvi Haimi and Laura Kyllönen, had developed a packaging material made of wood that is biodegradable while still maintaining the waterproof and impermeable advantages of plastic. The packaging is currently being used primarily in the cosmetics industry. Other honoured innovations from previous years were the ‘Breathaboard’ from Adaptavate, a breathable and recyclable alternative to conventional plasterboard as well as the Finnish start-up RePack with their reusable shipping packaging.

The goal of the Green Alley Award is to bring together the pioneers of the circular economy, to work with them on their business model and, ideally, to network them with potential customers. ‘We want to give the founders a platform to present their ideas and develop them together with us,’ says Schulz. ‘The finalists have the opportunity to have an intensive exchange of ideas with our experts in workshops.’ 

The winner of the 2019 Green Alley Award can look forward to €25,000 in prize money.

For more information: green-alley-award.com

Share this article

Tweet