Apply now for Schwedt Sustainable Startup Challenge (Germany)

The focus areas of this program include research and development, sustainable materials innovation, industrial collaboration, and pilot project implementation under real-world conditions.

The Startup Challenge Schwedt is designed to bring innovative technologies for sustainable materials directly into the process industry. It operates through a pre-commercial procurement approach, offering startups a structured pathway to test and develop their solutions in collaboration with established industrial partners.

Selected teams receive a research and development contract as part of the program. In the concept phase, funding of up to €20,000 plus VAT per team is provided to support early-stage development. In the pilot phase, teams may receive up to €300,000 plus VAT per team to implement and scale their solutions.

Participants gain direct access to industrial infrastructure, including facilities, material flows, and operational processes at a real industrial site in Schwedt. The program also facilitates collaboration with four established industrial companies, enabling practical validation of innovative concepts.

The challenge focuses on advancing sustainable materials for future industrial use. This includes developing materials such as bio-based polymers derived from renewable sources like straw, lignin, or stillage, as well as producing basic chemicals from CO₂ and green hydrogen through Power-to-X processes. It also promotes recycled fibers from waste paper or textiles for reuse in new material applications.

The objective is to demonstrate how climate-neutral industrial production can be achieved by integrating renewable raw materials and energy sources into circular systems. Pilot projects are implemented on-site to showcase scalable solutions for sustainable production in the chemicals, fibers, polymers, composites, textiles, and process gas sectors.

For more information, visit Startup Labor Schwedt.