And the Winners are: CeraSleeve, ElementarHy and Primogene
A jury of experts has selected three start-ups as winners of the CHEManager Innovation Pitch 2025.
CHEManager Innovation Pitch, CHEManager's start-up promotion initiative, was launched in 2019. Last year, with the support of our sponsors Brenntag, Siemens and Ruhr-IP, we presented 18 start-ups with their ideas - eleven in the German-language editions of CHEManager and seven in CHEManager International. A jury of experts has now selected the winners in three categories from all 18 start-ups, taking into account various decision criteria.
Last year, start-ups from Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the Netherlands were represented. Even though most of the start-ups are based in Germany, the internationality of the founding teams is still high. This speaks for the attractiveness of academic institutions in this country, as most start-ups are spin-offs from universities.
The topics ranged from biotechnology, synthesis chemistry and material development to energy and process technology. The three mega trends of sustainability, circular economy, digitalization and transformation were omnipresent as drivers of innovation.
In the "Value to Sustainability" category, CeraSleeve from Darmstadt won ahead of the Viernheim-based start-up Curenergy, and Ucaneo Biotech from Berlin. CeraSleeve is developing a paper additive that replaces conventional wet strength and sizing agents with a sustainable material. The team uses a wafer-thin layer of silica to make paper tear-resistant and water-resistant. The patented technology enables a genuine circular economy in which the paper can be fully recycled.
The winner in the "Value to Society" category was Primogene, with a narrow lead over CeraSleeve and Ucaneo Biotech, who also scored highly in this category. Primogene is an innovative biotechnology company based in Leipzig that specializes in the development of biotechnological production processes for bioactive ingredients. The focus is on human-identical compounds that promote health in all phases of life.
In the "Value to Industry" category, ElementarHy from Hamburg clearly beat C4Value from Mülheim an der Ruhr, and Biosimo from Schlieren in Switzerland. ElementarHy uses a revolutionary plasma technology and has positioned itself as a leading provider of cost-effective and scalable membrane electrode units for electrolyser manufacturers. We develop, produce and recycle customized MEAs, minimizing the use of critical raw materials (-95%) and delivering outstanding performance and first-class quality.
CeraSleeve received the most votes across all categories, followed by Ucaneo Biotech, C4Value, and Biosimo. Even though only three start-ups were ultimately recognized as annual winners, all 18 companies that were able to present themselves to a large audience at the CHEManager Innovation Pitch 2025 can still feel like winners.
The expert jury consisted of: Tanja Bendele (Ruhr-IP Patentanwälte), Axel Paix (Brenntag), Nicky Ahnert (Siemens), Holger Bengs (BCNP Consultants), as well as Jörg Wetterau (Labor für Kommunikation) and Volker Oestreich (Dr. Oestreich Consulting). The jury session was moderated by Christene Smith and Michael Reubold (CHEManager).
In addition to a certificate and a trophy from CHEManager for three winners, BCNP Consultants will enable the winning start-ups to present themselves at the 10th ECP in Frankfurt at the beginning of February and make valuable contacts with companies and investors.
