01.12.2025 • News

KickStart Finals Celebrate Six Outstanding Chemistry Transfer Ideas

Six promising startup teams took the stage at the KickStart finals, impressing the jury and audience with their novel ideas for advancing sustainable chemistry. The event, organized by the GreenChem network, Wiley, and CHEManager International, showcased six finalists selected from a highly competitive field of applicants.

The open call for applications led to 6 teams being selected to participate in the Pitch Training workshop and Pitch Final. They included:

Catalumina: Light-powered photocatalytic reactor that generates hydrogen peroxide directly from water and air
COFion: PFAS-free materials for purification and separation.
Inpacto: Anti-caking beads for mechanochemistry
LignoVolt: Bio-based solid electrolyte made from lignocellulosic waste
AgriSil: Sustainable Silica Flame-Retardant Fillers for Biopolymers
Waste2Watt: High-performance, bio-based anode materials

The Pitch Final program opened with an inspiring keynote by Fabian Habicht, founder of Shit2Power, who shared insights on “Focus and How to Make Decisions,” setting the tone for an afternoon of innovation and collaboration.

Each team presented transfer ideas aimed at transforming chemistry for a more sustainable future. Reflecting the group's spirit of collaboration, participants emphasized their shared mission of driving change for the benefit of the planet.

Two teams received special recognition:

Catalumia earned the Jury Prize for its light-powered photocatalytic reactor that produces hydrogen peroxide directly from water and air.
COFion won the Audience Award for developing PFAS-free materials for purification and separation processes.

Alongside GreenChem, we’re excited to see how these teams will drive innovation and transform the chemical industry for a more sustainable future!