From Lab to Market Challenge

CHEManager Public Voting

You Decide Who Goes to Market

The From Lab to Market Challenge is where scientific research meets real-world impact. Researchers from across Germany pitched their boldest ideas for transforming the chemical industry. A jury has selected the finalists. Now public voting determines who takes home the audience prize at the Grand Award Event on 25 June 2026.

Voting is now closed, thanks to all that cast their vote!

About the Organizers

The From Lab to Market Challenge is run by four organizations that share one goal: closing the gap between research and market.

Chemstars

Chemstars is a public–private partnership connecting industry leaders, visionary founders, and investors to drive chemical innovation. To date, they have supported 70+ startups that have raised over €250 million in funding. Click here to learn more.

Forum Rathenau e.V.

Forum Rathenau e.V. supports the transformation of Germany's Central Mining Region into a sustainable, post-fossil carbon competence cluster — backing startups and circular economy innovation in Saxony-Anhalt. 

GreenChem

GreenChem is Berlin's innovation ecosystem for green chemistry, connecting universities, startups, industry, and investors to accelerate the transition toward sustainable and circular chemical technologies. 

Koala

Koala bridges academic research and real-world impact by supporting scientists and early-stage spin-off teams in transforming green chemistry research into scalable ventures — backed by RWTH Aachen University and the Max Planck Institute. Click here to learn more.

TUM Venture Labs

TUM Venture Labs is a joint initiative of TU Munich and UnternehmerTUM, operating Bavaria's leading chemistry and biosystems incubator — supporting founders from research idea to seed capital across drug design, catalysis, and energy storage.