Who applied for this year’s Green Alley Award?

January 12th, 2021

From 8th September to 17th November, Europe’s startups once again took the chance to apply for the Green Alley Award, Europe’s first startup prize for the Circular Economy.

Where do today’s startups come from and what are they working on?

Let’s have a closer look at the applications.

Geographical scope

In the first round of the award in 2014, we only addressed Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but we soon decided to extend the scope. This year, our applications came from 24 different European countries, including Denmark and Finland in the North, Slovakia and Poland in the East, Spain and Greece in the South, and France and the Netherlands in the West.

Just like last year, most applications (32%) came from Germany but, this year, Italy took second place with 26% of all applications coming from Italian startups. Businesses based in the UK accounted for 8% of the sustainable ideas, so this year’s top three startup ‘capitals’ are Berlin, Milan and London.

Startup insights

Products make up almost half of the offers, while around 30% offer a service and more than 20% a technology. Compared to last year (15%), we saw an increase in technologies.

Looking at CEO gender, we received approximately one third of applications from businesses that are led by women (37%). According to the Green Startup Monitor 2018, women usually make up only about 18% of green leaders – and this figure is even less when it comes to non-green startups.

The next steps

After carefully evaluating the applications, the Top 20 Circular Economy ideas will be put on the Green Alley Award website for a public vote.

Starting on 12th January, the public can decide which startup they want to see amongst the six finalists.

On 22nd April, all six finalists will present their idea to an international jury which will then choose the 20/21 Green Alley Award winner.

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