Upcoming Events.
greenCHEM x Paludi Challenge
Paludi Challenge
Unlocking the Potential of Paludiculture Biomass
© Justus de Cuveland / imageBROKER / mauritius images
Turn underutilized biomass into real-world applications.
Are you ready to turn sustainability challenges into real-world impact?
Join our Innovation Challenge to develop solutions that unlock the value of paludiculture feedstocks.
We are looking for innovative, application-oriented solutions. Your mission is to develop and validate pathways to convert paludiculture biomass and side streams into market-ready materials, chemicals, or processes. We invite researchers, students, and early-stage teams to participate. We aim to bring creative minds together to address a critical sustainability challenge.
Our Partners
The Greifswald Mire Centre (GMC) is an interdisciplinary hub connecting science, policy, and practice in peatland research. It promotes paludiculture as an innovative solution to reduce CO₂ emissions while enabling sustainable land use. The University of Greifswald is one of the leading research institutions in peatland science, including paludiculture. It develops science-based approaches for restoration and sustainable use of rewetted peatlands, integrating ecological insights with economic and policy-oriented solutions.
The Startup Labor Schwedt is an innovation hub connecting startups, industry, and research to scale sustainable industrial solutions. It supports the development and real-world application of climate-friendly technologies, driving the transition to a circular and climate-neutral industry.
This is where you come in.
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But what exactly is paludiculture—and why does it matter?
Paludiculture means using wet or rewetted peatlands for farming or forestry. This way, the peatland stays healthy and can continue to store CO₂, which is good for the climate.
It also creates new opportunities to make climate-friendly land use economically viable.
What is the problem right now?
Biomass from paludiculture currently has difficulty competing with other raw materials.
The main challenges are:
• There are only a few ways to process it on a large scale
• There is strong competition from existing materials
• The quality of the biomass is not always consistent
• There is low market demand and uncertain investmentWhat is the Paludi Challenge?
The Paludi Challenge is an initiative that looks for new ideas and solutions.
The goal is to make paludiculture biomass economically useful.
A key focus is to develop processes that turn biomass and/or its byproducts into sellable products, such as chemicals, materials, or industrial processes.
What kind of ideas are we looking for?
The challenge is open and flexible – there is no single fixed solution.
Possible ideas include:
• Development of materials, additives, or packaging
• Use of byproducts (e.g. lignin or hemicellulose)
• New processes or pre-treatment methods to improve usage
• Solutions for technical problems in processing
Wildcards are welcome. You do not need to have a solution already. An idea is enough to apply. You will receive guidance on how to tranform your idea further during the program.
What we offer
Training: Receive hands-on training in key areas such as Life Cycle Assessment, business modelling, and pitching.
Industry Collaboration: Join us on a tour of a real chemical facility, go behind the scenes, and connect with industry experts. Gain practical insights and develop solutions with real-world impact.
Rapid Idea Validation: Use the Challenge to understand and validate the potential of your ideas in a short cycle.
Infrastructure & Equipment: Develop, test, and prototype your ideas in laboratories and lab devices made available by greenCHEM.
Community: Expand your network and get in contact with a diverse ecosystem.
Further Support: Receive potential access to funding opportunities or validation/pilot projects.
Timeline
iStock by Getty Images
Phase 0 – Qualification
April 30— Challenge launch & start of the application phase
• May 30 — Application deadline
• First week of June — Selection and announcement of finalists
Phase 1 – Elaboration
• June 8 — Kick-off event, introduction to the challenge & matchmaking session
• June 18 — Workshop: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• June 23 — Workshop: Business Model Canvas (BMC)
• July 6 — Industry excursion*
• July 13 — Mentoring Session I
• July 20 — Pitching workshop
• July 30, 2026 — Phase 1 Pitch Day & selection of the two winning teams
Phase 2 – Lab Phase
• Beginning of August — Start of the lab phase*
• End of August — Mentoring Session II*
• End of September — End of the lab phase & Final Pitch Day*
* Dates to be confirmed.
Application Deadline: 30th of May, 2026
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Application Deadline: 30th of May, 2026 〰️
Our Workshop Trainers
We are excited to collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of workshop trainers supporting participants throughout the challenge.
Janna Kuhlmann
Workshop Lead in Life Cycle Analysis
Janna is enabling start-ups since over five years to develop and improve their ideas early in the process, based on life cycle assessment (LCA) data.
She has worked for consultancies in the field of cradle to cradle certification and regulatory chemistry. Since recently, she is assisting greenchem start-ups with their first steps in the EU chemicals regulation REACH.
Her background is in environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology, eager to work towards a non-toxic circular economy.
Elif Nisa Ersoy
Workshop Lead in Business Model Canvas
Nisa is a manufacturing and scale-up engineer with experience in bringing technologies from pilot to production.
She has worked in industrial environments including Tesla and global manufacturing companies, focusing on process development, production ramp-up, and operational scaling.
Today, she supports early-stage and research-based teams in translating technical ideas into realistic, scalable business models with a focus on feasibility, execution, and real-world constraints.
Jelle De Wit
Workshop Lead in Pitching & Communication
Jelle is a Berlin-based pitch and public speaking coach from Belgium.
He supports researchers in communicating their ideas with clarity, confidence, and impact—whether in presentations, pitches, or interdisciplinary settings.
His approach combines strong content with storytelling, body awareness, voice, and presence, drawing on his background in devised theatre and performance.
Q&A
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You want to put your ideas to the test and contribute to making the industry more sustainable
You want to expand your network and meet people from industry
You want to do something that matters with your green chemistry skills
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This challenge is designed for:
PhD students & postdocs
Master students
Early-stage teams (not incorporated)
Individuals or interdisciplinary teams
We aim to include people from all backgrounds to ensure an interdisciplinary challenge. You do not need any specific qualifications to participate.
Eligibility: Applicants must be based in or near Berlin and able to attend the program in person on the scheduled dates. Additionally, applicants must be affiliated with one of the partner universities within the BUA.
We can only provide lab access to individuals with prior laboratory experience. If you or your team do not meet this requirement, we will support you from the beginning by connecting you with interdisciplinary team members who have the necessary experience to enable lab work.
If you are alone and you do not have a team yet, do not worry! You can still aplly and we will match you with participants from interdisciplinary backgrounds on the first day of the challenge. -
To be considered, applicants must complete and submit the application form, including information about their background and a clear description of their idea, solution, or insights. Participants are also encouraged to support their submission with additional materials such as detailed concepts, videos, explanations, or references to relevant resources like peer-reviewed articles or patents. Submissions will be evaluated based on five key dimensions: market potential, technical feasibility, sustainability, innovation, and industrial relevance.
The program unfolds in two interconnected phases that guide teams from idea development to hands-on validation.In Phase 1 — Elaboration, an open call leads to the selection of 5–7 teams, who then focus on developing and refining their ideas. Throughout this phase, participants receive mentoring, take part in workshops, and gain support in validating their concepts. The phase culminates in a pitch to a jury, where the top two teams are selected to move forward into Phase 2.
Building on the outcomes of Phase 1, Phase 2 — Lab Work offers a more practical, experimentation-driven environment. The selected teams enter the lab to test and technically validate their approaches, continuously iterating with support from experts. The program concludes with a final pitch and award, showcasing the most promising solutions.
Please note: We typically recommend to form teams with not more than four team members in the beginning. In addition, we strongly advise including a scientific supervisor or professor who can provide guidance throughout the entire challenge.
All sessions in the first phase of the program will take place in person; online participation will not be available. -
You can find the Terms and Conditions here.
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All information about the IP conditions, you can find here.
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greenCHEM will provide access to lab space and cover the costs associated with that for teams that require it. However, if your team doesn’t need a dedicated lab from greenCHEM, you may work in your current lab. In that case, we can cover some of the costs associated with participating in the challenge, even if we’re not the ones providing the lab.
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At the application stage, you do not need a fully developed solution.
We are looking for:
A clear idea or concept
A strong hypothesis or approach
A convincing explanation of its potential
Selected teams will further develop their solution during the program. Should your team be selected for the second phase of the challenge, you will have the opportunity to work in the lab and further develop your solution.
And wildcard solutions are always welcome.
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Teams may focus on one (or combine) the following paths:
Path A — Product-first / Market pull
Investigate materials, additives, binders, coatings, composites, and packaging-related solutions based on paludi inputs that could enable future market applications.
Path B — Side-stream conversion ( “leftover streams” )
Secondary material streams can be repurposed for other products or processes. Develop approaches to upgrade side streams (e.g., hemicellulose- and lignin) into valuable chemical intermediates, materials, or precursors.Path C — Solve a bottleneck ( Fixing a technical process limitation)
Develop a concept for pre-treatment/ fractionation/ separation steps that enable better yields, purity or robustness for paludi utilization.
More Questions?
Join our Info Session on 19.05.26 at 2 PM. Ask your questions, gain deeper insights into the challenge, and get to know the team behind it.
If you can not make it to the Info session, Arni, our Open Innovation Manager, is happy to answer your questions.
17th CIFamily Meeting
17th CIFamily Meeting
Inside Out: From Industrial Insight to Curiosity-Driven Innovation Ecosystems
Inside Out: From Industrial Insight to Curiosity-Driven Innovation Ecosystems.
The chemical industry is under unprecedented pressure to transform. Despite remarkable scientific expertise, significant investments, and a genuine commitment to sustainability, progress often falls short of the ambition. Why?
Drawing on years of observing the industry from the inside as a consultant and advisor, this keynote offers a different perspective: the challenge is not a lack of effort—it is the way innovation happens. Companies are designed to optimize, but the sustainability transition demands exploration. It requires questioning established assumptions, connecting disciplines and organizations, and creating space for ideas that don't fit within traditional boundaries.
This talk explores why breakthrough solutions are more likely to emerge from curiosity-driven innovation ecosystems than from any single organization alone. It argues that communities such as greenCHEM are far more than networks of start-ups, researchers, and industrial partners—they are environments where unexpected connections become new opportunities.
If the future of sustainable chemistry depends on expanding our collective imagination, then the most important innovation may not be a new technology, but a new way of discovering it.
Our Guest: Dr. Gerald Bode
Gerald Bode has more than 20 years of management consulting experience in the chemical and oil industries. After studying Chemical Engineering and Management (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) and earning a PhD from TU Berlin in collaboration with MIT and ETH Zurich, he developed a lasting passion for improving and accelerating research and development—an area that has become increasingly critical in addressing today's sustainability challenges.
As founder of cubeSphere, Gerald develops tools, methodologies, and knowledge frameworks that help organizations accelerate innovation and tackle complex transformation challenges. Alongside his consulting and advisory work, he serves as a mentor within the greenCHEM ecosystem and contributes to policy advisory boards and chemistry-related think tanks, helping to strengthen the conditions for start-ups and foster innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
His work sits at the intersection of industry, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems, with a particular focus on accelerating the transition toward sustainable chemistry.
About the CIFamily
The community events called “CIFamily” aim to offer the scene of chemistry-specific founders a place for trusting exchange and learning from each other. “Learning from experts and alumni/ae, sharing and discussing your own experiences with other participants and supporting each other” is the common goal of the community. In order to achieve this, each event is dedicated to a topic selected by the founders, on which there are impulses, exchange and networking in a relaxed and open atmosphere.
How to become part of the CIFamily?
If you want to become part of the CIFamily and get invited to these amazing network events, please contact us.
Impressions from previous CIFamily Meetings:
Previous Speakers contained:
Niklas Laasch (Product, Venture & Go-to-Market Builder)
Arndt Pechstein (CEO, Future Now)
Fabian Habicht (CTO, Shit2Power)
Tina Rose (Founder, New Dawn Silicones)
Ines Schiller (CEO, Vyld)
Marek Checinski (CSO, Carbon One)
Simon Bungers (Founder, Labforward and Labfolder)
Romain Marcel (Co-Founder & Partner, Aneto partners)
John Warner (CEO & CTO, The Technology Greenhouse)
Sonja Jost (CEO, DUDECHEM)
Robert Harting (Discus thrower)
Claudio Flores (Mimotype Technologies)
Dominic Franck (Fairwindel)
Steffen Käwert (Berlin-Chemie Menarini)
Industry on Campus
Industry on Campus
Connecting research, industry and entrepreneurship to accelerate the transformation of the chemical industry.
The flagship event for open innovation in the chemical industry
Join us for the upcoming greenCHEM Industry Event "Industry on Campus", where business meets science to drive the green chemistry transformation.
Here’s what to expect:
Program
More information about the program will be announced soon.
Impressions from previous years:
16th CIFamily Meeting
16th CIFamily Meeting
Customer Discovery for Deep-Tech & Chemistry-Based Startups
How can you effectively engage with customers and pilot partners?
For deep-tech and chemistry-based startups, winning your first customers is less about pitching and more about building trust and evidence. In this 45-minute keynote, Niklas shares practical best practices for finding early adopters and turning first conversations into real pilot partnerships, grounded in Geoffrey Moore's "Crossing the Chasm" and hands-on go-to-market work with several startups. He covers how to reach out professionally, what you need to establish credibility and trust, the minimum you should have in place before approaching customers, and what to watch out for in early contracts and liability. He also looks at how to nurture the customer relationship after the first yes, how to define your stages and rules of engagement, and how AI can help you monitor your market and discover new pilot customers. Expect concrete examples from real startups whose go-to-market and first pilots Niklas helped secure.
Our Guest: Niklas Laasch
Niklas Laasch works at the intersection of AI, health tech, and biotech, combining a background in biochemistry with design thinking. He advises and mentors healthtech and deep-tech founders on customer discovery, go-to-market, and fundraising: recently helping teams like RevoBits (bioprinting), mujō (algae-based biomaterials), and OMTO (digital health) sharpen their positioning, reach their first customers, and build the go-to-market engine behind their first pilots. As a mentor with Nucleate, Vision Health Pioneers and greenCHEM, he brings hands-on experience in translating complex science into clear, customer-centric growth.
About the CIFamily
The community events called “CIFamily” aim to offer the scene of chemistry-specific founders a place for trusting exchange and learning from each other. “Learning from experts and alumni/ae, sharing and discussing your own experiences with other participants and supporting each other” is the common goal of the community. In order to achieve this, each event is dedicated to a topic selected by the founders, on which there are impulses, exchange and networking in a relaxed and open atmosphere.
How to become part of the CIFamily?
If you want to become part of the CIFamily and get invited to these amazing network events, please contact us.
Impressions from previous CIFamily Meetings:
Previous Speakers contained:
Arndt Pechstein (CEO, Future Now)
Fabian Habicht (CTO, Shit2Power)
Tina Rose (Founder, New Dawn Silicones)
Ines Schiller (CEO, Vyld)
Marek Checinski (CSO, Carbon One)
Simon Bungers (Founder, Labforward and Labfolder)
Romain Marcel (Co-Founder & Partner, Aneto partners)
John Warner (CEO & CTO, The Technology Greenhouse)
Sonja Jost (CEO, DUDECHEM)
Robert Harting (Discus thrower)
Claudio Flores (Mimotype Technologies)
Dominic Franck (Fairwindel)
Steffen Käwert (Berlin-Chemie Menarini)
innovate! call | Info Session Track A #2 (hybrid)
Info Session innovate! call
Entrepreneurs without Patent
Are you working on innovative ideas in chemistry and ready to take the next step toward technology transfer, real-world application, or even founding a startup? Then this Info Session for the innovate! call is for you!
Join us to get a clear, hands-on overview of the program and learn how to successfully apply. We’ll walk you through what to expect and how we support you along the way—so you can focus on turning your ideas into impact.
What we’ll cover
Overview of the Chemistry Transfer Program and the current call
Program structure and timeline
Eligibility criteria and application requirements
Step-by-step guide to the application process
Key benefits of participating in the program
Support with relocation, including visa entry and accommodation in Berlin
Open Q&A session – ask all your questions directly
Who should participate
This is the info session for Track A - Entrepreneurs without Patent. In Track A we fund people who want to bring innovation in the chemical industry but don’t hold a chemistry patent.
The innovate! call offers three distinct tracks. Each track is tailored to different profiles. Be sure to check out to find out which track fits you best here.
Please note that each track has its own dedicated info sessions. You can find an overview of the other info sessions here.
Registration
This info session will be held in a hybrid format:
In-person: Fasanenstraße 85, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Online: MS Teams
Independent on whether you want to join in-person or online, please register here:
See you soon
Whether you’re just exploring your options or already preparing your application, this session will give you valuable insights and practical guidance.
Join us and turn your chemistry into impact!
Open Office Hours innovate! call
Open Office Hours innovate! call
Specific questions to the innovate! call? Let’s talk!
You have specific questions to the innovate! call? We are happy to help!
We are hosting virtual Open Office Hours where you can join (online) and ask any questions related to the innovate call. This includes specific questions about the application process, eligibility requirements, or your individual situation.
No registration is required. Simply join the meeting during the scheduled times and we will be happy to support you.
Dates: February 23, 2026 to March 12, 2026
Tuesdays: 9:00 AM CET
Wednesdays: 5:00 PM CET
Meeting room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35079840418812?p=zejwXzr3wzlv0K5ede
We look forward to connecting with you and answering your questions.
innovate! call | Info Session Track A #1 (online)
Info Session innovate! call
Entrepreneurs without Patent
Are you working on innovative ideas in chemistry and ready to take the next step toward technology transfer, real-world application, or even founding a startup? Then this Info Session for the innovate! call is for you!
Join us to get a clear, hands-on overview of the program and learn how to successfully apply. We’ll walk you through what to expect and how we support you along the way—so you can focus on turning your ideas into impact.
What we’ll cover
Overview of the Chemistry Transfer Program and the current call
Program structure and timeline
Eligibility criteria and application requirements
Step-by-step guide to the application process
Key benefits of participating in the program
Support with relocation, including visa entry and accommodation in Berlin
Open Q&A session – ask all your questions directly
Who should participate
This is the info session for Track A - Entrepreneurs without Patent. In Track A we fund people who want to bring innovation in the chemical industry but don’t hold a chemistry patent.
The innovate! call offers three distinct tracks. Each track is tailored to different profiles. Be sure to check out to find out which track fits you best here.
Please note that each track has its own dedicated info sessions. You can find an overview of the other info sessions here.
Registration
This info session will be held in a hybrid format:
In-person: Fasanenstraße 85, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Online: MS Teams
Independent on whether you want to join in-person or online, please register here:
See you soon
Whether you’re just exploring your options or already preparing your application, this session will give you valuable insights and practical guidance.
Join us and turn your chemistry into impact!
innovate! call | Info Session Track C #2 (hybrid)
Info Session innovate! call
Entrepreneurs with Patent
Are you working on innovative ideas in chemistry and ready to take the next step toward technology transfer, real-world application, or even founding a startup? Then this Info Session for the innovate! call is for you!
Join us to get a clear, hands-on overview of the program and learn how to successfully apply. We’ll walk you through what to expect and how we support you along the way—so you can focus on turning your ideas into impact.
What we’ll cover
Overview of the Chemistry Transfer Program and the current call
Program structure and timeline
Eligibility criteria and application requirements
Step-by-step guide to the application process
Key benefits of participating in the program
Support with relocation, including visa entry and accommodation in Berlin
Open Q&A session – ask all your questions directly
Who should participate
This is the info session for Track C - Entrepreneurs with Patent. In Track C we fund people who hold chemistry patents and want to bring their innovation in to a real-life application.
The innovate! call offers three distinct tracks. Each track is tailored to different profiles. Be sure to check out to find out which track fits you best here.
Please note that each track has its own dedicated info sessions. You can find an overview of the other info sessions here.
Registration
This info session will be held in a hybrid format:
In-person: Fasanenstraße 85, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Online: MS Teams
Independent on whether you want to join in-person or online, please register here:
See you soon
Whether you’re just exploring your options or already preparing your application, this session will give you valuable insights and practical guidance.
Join us and turn your chemistry into impact!
innovate! call | Info Session Track C #1 (online)
Info Session innovate! call
Entrepreneurs with Patent
Are you working on innovative ideas in chemistry and ready to take the next step toward technology transfer, real-world application, or even founding a startup? Then this Info Session for the innovate! call is for you!
Join us to get a clear, hands-on overview of the program and learn how to successfully apply. We’ll walk you through what to expect and how we support you along the way—so you can focus on turning your ideas into impact.
What we’ll cover
Overview of the Chemistry Transfer Program and the current call
Program structure and timeline
Eligibility criteria and application requirements
Step-by-step guide to the application process
Key benefits of participating in the program
Support with relocation, including visa entry and accommodation in Berlin
Open Q&A session – ask all your questions directly
Who should participate
This is the info session for Track C - Entrepreneurs with Patent. In Track C we fund people who hold chemistry patents and want to bring their innovation in to a real-life application.
The innovate! call offers three distinct tracks. Each track is tailored to different profiles. Be sure to check out to find out which track fits you best here.
Please note that each track has its own dedicated info sessions. You can find an overview of the other info sessions here.
Registration
This info session will be held online via MS Teams.
Please register:
See you soon
Whether you’re just exploring your options or already preparing your application, this session will give you valuable insights and practical guidance.
Join us and turn your chemistry into impact!
Industry on Campus
Industry on Campus
@Transfer Week 2025
The flagship event for open innovation in the chemical industry
Join us for the upcoming greenCHEM Industry Event "Industry on Campus" as part of Transfer Week 2025—where business meets science to drive the green chemistry transformation!
Here’s what to expect:
Program
In the morning we offer a further education course for SME’s about the topic Scale-Up in Chemistry - From Flask to Factory at the same location. Industry representives are invited to register for this opportunity aswell.
Who should register?
Industry on campus focusses on bringing Phds and Post-docs in contact with the industry. We especially invite SMEs and Startups to join.
Impressions from previous years:
greenCHEM x CHARLE Open Innovation Challenge
Open Innovation Challenge
Industry meets green chemistry innovations
Applications to this challenge are now closed. Stay tuned for upcoming challenges in the next weeks!
Tackle a real challenge from industry
In our Open Innovation Challenge, greenCHEM invites researchers and startups to submit novel, green chemistry solutions to a real-world industry problem. Selected teams receive mentorship from the industry partner and specialists within our ecosystem, as well as access to laboratories and equipment to further develop their technologies for two to six months. After this elaboration phase, teams pitch their ideas to a jury. The winning team receives prize money and may enter a partnership with the industry partner to continue developing their solution.
Our Partner: CHARLE
The Open Innovation Challenge features CHARLE premium haberdashery, a Berlin-based company that has been developing high-quality, circular narrow fabrics for a wide range of applications. Specialized in elastic and non-elastic bands made from natural rubber, organic cotton, linen, and TencelTM, the company pursues environmentally friendly, resource-saving, and socially responsible production methods throughout the entire value chain. With a spirit of innovation and a clear focus on sustainability, the company works to create textile solutions that will also benefit future generations.
The Challenge
CHARLE is looking for a non-fossil-based, biodegradable elastomer that behaves like rubber with raw material sourced in Europe. In other words, they seek a sustainable, biogenic alternative to natural rubber to reduce its upstream CO₂ emissions caused by long-distance logistics and to prevent future supply chain disruptions by being source in the European continent.
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1. What we are looking for at the end of the challenge
We want elastomers based on non-fossil raw materials, able to be sourced in Europe, with the following characteristics:
Potential for biodegradability
Potential for high elasticity
Potential for extrudability
Nice to have:
Very good resilience
High tear resistance
Excellent chemical resistance
High tensile strength
Durability
Thermal stability
2. Possible approaches
Use of food or natural textile waste (natural fibres) or a combination thereof
Plant-based alternatives with low carbon footprint
3. Approaches not of interest
Waste or materials of fossil origin
Alternatives based on Russian dandelion (due to high carbon footprint and land use)
Plant-based alternatives with high carbon footprint
Rewards
Prize: Compete to win a 2.000€ cash prize
Collaboration with Industry: Develop a solution with instant market fit, potentially leading to quicker implementation by CHARLE
Industry Insights: Visit CHARLE’s facilities and receive guidance from mentors with real world experience
Rapid Idea Validation: Use the Challenge to understand and validate the potential of your ideas in a short cycle
Infrastructure & Equipment: Develop, test, and prototype your ideas in laboratories and lab devices made available by greenCHEM
Community: Expand your network and increase the visibility for you and your idea
Timeline
26.11.2025 – Challenge presentation at Industry on Campus
23.01.2026 – Deadline for applications
30.01.2026 – Selection of teams
09.02.2026 – Challenge kick-off and datasheet handover
09.02-03.05.2026 – Elaboration phase*
May 2026 – Pitch Day & Award*
* Dates to be confirmed.
Q&A
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You want to put your ideas to the test and contribute to making the industry more sustainable
You want to expand your network and meet people from industry
You want to do something that matters with your green chemistry skills
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The Challenge is open to researchers and non-incorporated startups motivated to solve material challenges from the industry and able to come to Berlin for certain checkpoints, particularly the Kick-off and the Finale.
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You can find the Terms and Conditions here.
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All information about the IP conditions, you can find here.
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greenCHEM will provide access to lab space and cover the costs associated with that for teams that require it. However, if your team doesn’t need a dedicated lab from greenCHEM, you may work in your current lab. In that case, we can cover some of the costs associated with participating in the challenge, even if we’re not the ones providing the lab.
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No, at the moment of application your solution doesn’t need to have reached any of the established criteria. You only have to explain why is it that your team is confident that your idea could potentially reach the stated material characteristics. Should your team be selected to the second phase of the challenge (the Elaboration Phase), you will have the opportunity to work in the lab and further develop your solution.
The criteria play a bigger role at the end of the challenge. Then they are going to be used to evaluate the solutions presented and help the jury pick a winner. However, even at this point, there will not be hard targets that need to be reached.
And wildcard solutions are always welcome.
More Questions?
Arni, our Open Innovation Manager, is happy to answer your questions.
“Green rubber band ball” by Whoisjohngalt is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Scale-Up in Chemistry - From Flask to Factory
Scale-Up in Chemistry
From Flask to Factory: an executve education course
Learn about scale-up for growth, market success, and risk reduction
Scaling up a chemical process can make or break innovation. This compact executive course will talk about actionable strategies for scaling up chemical processes in an industrial context, showcasing how green chemistry can help businesses to stay ahead: reducing costs, minimising risks, and accelerating time-to-market.
Hear directly from a successful startup and leading experts how integrating scaling up with green chemistry concepts can support SMEs with sustainable competitive advantages and stronger business performance. Throughout the morning, several rounds of moderated discussions will invite all participants to share their perspectives, address challenges, and ask questions freely in an open and collaborative atmosphere. This interactive format takes into account your key pain points and real-world experiences so that they are heard and incorporated into the rounds — hopefully leveraging the knowledge and connections needed to accelerate sustainable business growth.
Key Industry Benefits
Boost business performance: process innovation drives sustainable competitive advantage, securing your market position.
De-risk and accelerate scale-up: strategies to lower risks throughout the development pipeline.
Access cutting-edge facilities: see how modern scale-up labs support rapid, flexible, and resource-efficient commercialisation.
Network for growth: exchange with peers, service providers, and technology partners in moderated and open discussion sessions.
Program
10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome & Introduction
10:10 – 10:45 | State-of-the-Art Scale-Up Technologies
Professor Rainer Haag
Best practices, pitfalls, and innovations for green scale-up.
10:45 – 11:25 | Mastering the Scale-Up Process
Professor Kai Licha
Planning campaigns, optimising infrastructure, and balancing sustainability with market needs.
11:25 – 12:00 | From Idea to Reality
Dr. Rhea Machado
Porelio’s Journey: Turning Proof of Concept into Pilot Production.
12:00 – 12:20 | Lab Tour: See the Tools in Action Experience the equipment and pilot systems driving modern, sustainable chemical innovation.
12:20 – 12:30 | Closing Remarks
12:30 – 13:30 | Business Lunch Connect with all participants and presenters to discuss collaboration and strategies for implementing industry-leading green chemistry!
In the evening Industry on Campus will take place at the same location. Don’t miss the chance to register for that aswell!
Who should register?
Chemists, R&D Managers, and Technical Directors from SMEs in the chemical sector - all who are interested in scaling-up your production.
greenCHEM Kickstart @ CIFamily Meeting
greenCHEM kickSTART @ 14th CIFamily Meeting
Unleashing innovative green chemistry ideas
with Wiley
What is it about?
greenCHEM kickSTART is all about turning great ideas into impact. We called on students and researchers to bring forward their chemistry-related projects that could shape the technologies, processes and products of tomorrow. From all submissions, the finalist teams were selected — each with the potential to make a real difference for industry, society and the environment.
After an intensive bootcamp on pitching and presentation skills hosted by Wiley, the finalists will take the stage for the kickSTART Final. At this special edition, the kickSTART finalists will present their projects not only to a jury of experts, but also to the CIFamily network — the vibrant community of chemistry entrepreneurs, alumni and peers who embody collaboration and innovation.
Together, the audience and the jury will decide who takes home the Jury Prize and the Audience Prize.
Finalists
Catalumina: Light-powered photocatalytic reactor that generates hydrogen peroxide directly from water and air
COFion: PFAS-free materials for purification and separation.
Inpacto: Anti-caking beads for mechanochemistry
LignoVolt: Bio-based solid electrolyte made from lignocellulosic waste
AgriSil: Sustainable Silica Flame-Retardant Fillers for Biopolymers
Waste2Watt: High-performance, bio-based anode materials
Speaker
Dr. Ing. Fabian Habicht, Co-Founder & CTO at Shit2Power
Fabian, Co-founder and CTO of Shit2Power GmbH, is a proven expert in process engineering and renewable energy. With a doctorate in combustion technology and extensive expertise in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, he is responsible for the development of our innovative technology. His focus is on implementing scalable solutions for wastewater treatment plants across the EU. In doing so, he combines technical know-how with strategic vision to ensure both compliance with regulatory requirements and the economic efficiency of the systems.
Titel: Evolving focus — balancing exploration and execution in deep tech
Description:
On their journey from research to marketable product, he has seen how focus is constantly being redefined in a deep tech startup: between curiosity about new technological possibilities and the need to concentrate resources on the essentials. He will share what he has learned in the process — how clear prioritization, targeted partnerships, and data-driven decisions can drive progress without losing openness to new approaches.
About the CIFamily
The community events called “CIFamily” aim to offer the scene of chemistry-specific founders a place for trusting exchange and learning from each other. “Learning from experts and alumni/ae, sharing and discussing your own experiences with other participants and supporting each other” is the common goal of the community. In order to achieve this, each event is dedicated to a topic selected by the founders, on which there are impulses, exchange and networking in a relaxed and open atmosphere.
Important Dates & Venues
Pitch Training Session: 4th November 2025, Wiley Berlin, Rotherstr. 21, 10245 Berlin
Pitch Final: 20th November 2025, Wiley Berlin, Rotherstr. 21, 10245 Berlin
These events are by invite only.
Impressions from last year:
FAQ
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You can apply as an individual or as a team. We recommend the latter because projects/ideas supported by a team benefit from the more diverse skill set. Team members do not all need to be chemists!
You can apply individually and, if selected, bring in team members later, as long is it is before the pitch-training workshop takes place. -
Whether IP is issued, pending, or still in the process. We do not want any specific details about the underlying details, data, lab work, or material/molecule compositions. During your application and the format you will not be asked to share any such information. Of course, if you are uncertain, you can reach out to us, or the patent officers of your institute.
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There will be 5 finalist projects.
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It is defined pretty well by the 12 principles, found here
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English.
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Yes, the same format ran last year under the name ‘PitchCourse & Discourse‘.
Partnered with
