U-START Accelerator Programme
31 May 2019
Go Circular!
The excellent results of the three previous U-START calls have paved the way for launching the next call on circular economy together with EIT RawMaterials. Startups can apply here from 1 April to 31 May 2019.
The U-START campaign is organised by EIT RawMaterials and Veolia. Together, we aim at developing cooperation with early-stage startups with sustainable business ideas in a circular economy.
Since 2016, U-START has led 12 cooperation with startups, 7 startup calls with up to 5 startups accepted per call.
For this edition, we are focusing on sustainable ideas in the following key topics:
- Innovative recycling concepts for electronic waste (PCB, Li-ion batteries etc.)
- Alternative upcycling valorisation routes for secondary products (Recycled paper, glass fibre composites, recycled carbon fibres etc.)
- New technologies for sorting and recycling composite materials (Mixed plastic products and metal-plastic composites)
Who is eligible
We are looking for entrepreneurs, innovators and companies with a venture at an early stage of its development that can serve as the basis for a viable new business.
Entrepreneurs should be full-time on their venture.
Participants can commit to relocating key staff to the Veolia startup camp in Berlin during the program’s duration.
Five good reasons to join the U-START program
#globalplayer: Team up with the world leader in energy and resource efficiency services for municipalities & industries.
#seedfunding: Benefit from up to € 100 000 to test your solution
#collaboration: Develop your project in a co-creation mode with our experts.
#testing: Test your solution at one of our > 200 industrial sites in Germany.
#scaleup: Deploy your solution on the German market with our commercial teams.
#market: Accelerate access to the global market through Veolia network.
About the application process
1 April – 31 May 2019: Application period
3 June – 14 June 2019: Internal evaluation phase of all applications
Last week of June: First feedback on your application – we will let you know if you are eligible for the next round
Beginning of September: Veolia Startup Village in Hamburg – where selected applicants will pitch their ideas in front of Veolia experts (about ten startups are invited)
After the Startup Village: In case you get chosen (second selection round), you will elaborate a concrete joint innovation project with mentors from Veolia and EIT RawMaterials
Around the end of October 2019: Final pitch in front of top managers from Veolia and EIT RawMaterials – winners will be announced!
We are looking forward to hearing about your ideas!