Impact Funding Resources
MassChallenge’s partners are seeking startups developing novel materials that are sourced, produced, or used in ways that minimise environmental impact and support long-term ecological balance. These innovations aim to enable lower emissions & waste, improve performance & reduce cost, and make supply chains more resilient & secure.
Many breakthrough materials solutions stall without access to the right infrastructure or industry connections. MassChallenge’s partners span entire value chains, bringing unique expertise and capabilities, from sourcing and production, to processing and conversion to end-use applications. They offer startups the opportunity to pilot, co-develop, and scale their solutions accelerating real-world impact and market adoption.
Many breakthrough materials solutions stall without access to the right infrastructure or industry connections. MassChallenge’s partners span entire value chains, bringing unique expertise and capabilities, from sourcing and production, to processing and conversion to end-use applications. They offer startups the opportunity to pilot, co-develop, and scale their solutions accelerating real-world impact and market adoption.
End Date17 Nov 2025 Funding AmountN/A Funding Resource TypeCorporate Partnership
Funding ProviderMassChallenge Switzerland Partners
Corporate Partnership
MassChallenge Switzerland Partners
Many breakthrough materials solutions stall without access to the right infrastructure or industry connections. MassChallenge’s partners span entire value chains, bringing unique expertise and capabilities, from sourcing and production, to processing and conversion to end-use applications. They offer startups the opportunity to pilot, co-develop, and scale their solutions accelerating real-world impact and market adoption.
Partners: Bühler Group, Givaudan, Mars, Omya, dsm-firmenich, Louis Dreyfus Company, Tate and Lyle, and SIG are looking for startups or scaleups, with proven solutions or technologies in the areas of:
1. Circular & Bio-based Materials
• Bio-based polymers & plastic alternatives
• Inks, dyes & functional additives
• Pulp, paper & cellulose-based components
2. Recycling & Processing Technologies
• Sorting & advanced recycling (plastics, textiles, composites)
• Chemical & enzymatic approaches
• Recovery & upgrading technologies
3. Sidestream Valorization
• Industrial, forestry & agri by-products
• Circular materials upcycling (fibers, binders, coatings, resins)
4. Functional Materials & Packaging
• Next-gen coatings & barrier layers (aseptic & chilled carton, recyclable coatings, sealing innovations)
• Sterilization, disinfection & sealing
5. Green Chemistry & Formulation
• Consumer applications (cleaning disinfectant, fragrances, hygiene)
• Encapsulation & controlled release
6. Construction & Carbon Solutions
• Low-carbon construction & additives
• Carbon-negative materials (CO₂-based, sequestration)
All startups that have a fit with our Partners in the above fields will be connected and invited to a 1:1 call or DemoDay.
This Sustainable Materials Challenge especially seeks materials startups that could increase circularity, transforming sidestreams into valuable assets. We will connect startups to MassChallenge’s partners who are both producers and users of sidestreams or the ingredients resulting out of it. This could result in a startup helping a partner turn waste into a product, that could be sold to another partner.
