Upcoming Events.
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 membranes
Inpacto: Anti-caking beads for mechanochemistry
LignoVolt: Bio-based solid electrolyte made from lignocellulosic waste
Upcycling Rice Husk Ash into Sustainable Silica Flame-Retardant Fillers for Biopolymers: Sustainable Silica Flame-Retardant Fillers for Biopolymers
Waste2Watt: High-performance, bio-based anode materials
Speaker
t.b.a
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
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.