Conditions for participation

What is the Open Call for Waste Management Startups

The Open Call for Waste Management Startups initiative (hereinafter, the “Initiative”) is an international competition among Startups in the circular economy sector, aimed at identifying the most innovative and effective solutions to address two specific challenges in waste management, as detailed in these rules.
Its primary objective is to foster connections between, on the one hand, the most promising international Startups offering solutions that enhance efficiency and optimisation in waste management and participating in the Initiative, and, on the other hand, Ecoembes and organisations active in Spain’s circular economy sector (companies, public administrations, plant operators, etc.).
The Initiative will also promote the development of proof-of-concept projects, intended to test and scale these new technologies and business models in a real environment, thereby verifying their potential.

Phases of the initiative for Startups

The Initiative begins with the launch by Ecoembes of an international call to attract the best Startups capable of contributing solutions to the challenges presented.

Participation by these Startups will occur in four phases:

Initial Application. Startups interested in the Initiative, and meeting the requirements set out in these rules, will complete a questionnaire as described below, providing information about their organisations and the solutions they propose concerning the competition’s challenges.
Selection of Finalists. Based on the descriptions provided by the Startups in their application forms, and in accordance with the criteria described in these rules, all candidatures will be assessed and finalist Startups selected. A review committee will be established; details on its composition will be published via the Initiative’s website: https://opencall.thecircularlab.com
Final Event – Pitch & Networking. Finalist Startups will be invited to participate in the final event to demonstrate their potential via an elevator pitch. A jury composed of professionals from Ecoembes, the Collaborating Entities, and other entities from the recycling sector will determine the winning Startups in line with the criteria set forth in these rules. One winner will be selected for each of the challenges posed in the Initiative, that is, a total of two winners.
During this event, networking sessions will also be organised so that Startups may engage directly with other participating organisations.
Proof-of-concept projects. Following the networking event, the development of proof-of-concept projects will be encouraged to validate the Startups’ solutions. These projects will be defined and funded by Ecoembes after the final event.

For the implementation of these proof-of-concept projects, Ecoembes, the Collaborating Entities (as applicable), and the Startups will be governed by the terms of agreements to be reached, which will detail financing arrangements, intellectual property rules, and other elements.

Challenges we propose

The challenges in which Startups will compete and for which they must propose solutions are as follows:

Challenge 1. New solutions to optimise waste management in cities

Innovative solutions applicable from the moment citizens generate waste to its arrival at the sorting plant, promoting citizen participation, container digitalisation, route optimisation, and traceability in collection processes.

POSSIBLE AREAS:

New proposals for selective waste collection (door-to-door, PAYT Pay-As-You-Throw, etc.)
New technologies or tools applicable to the storage and containerisation process.
New solutions to optimise waste collection and transport processes.

Challenge 2. New solutions to improve operational efficiency in sorting plants

Innovative technological solutions applicable from the moment waste arrives at the sorting plant until it is classified, optimising the operation of recycling plants (connectivity, digital twin, dashboards, etc.) and their separation, classification, and characterisation processes.

POSSIBLE AREAS:

Digitalisation of the sorting plant’s operation through AI, blockchain, or IoT tools.
Technologies to improve the efficiency and quality of waste separation.
New solutions for bale labelling and traceability.

Which Startups may participate

Any Startup meeting the following requirements may participate:

Be established as a commercial entity or social economy enterprise (cooperatives, labour societies or special employment centres), with less than 10 years since incorporation (specifically, incorporated after 15 October 2015).
Not be owned more than 50% by a non-SME (according to the EU Regulation No. 651/2014 definition).
Not be involved in insolvency proceedings and be up to date with legal, employment, and tax obligations.

Winners must prove fulfilment of the above requirements in the form and within deadlines required by Ecoembes.

Prize and main benefits for Startups

Participation in the Initiative is free of charge.

The prize for each winning Startup will be €2,000, tax-free (to the extent applicable under law). In any case, it is the winner’s responsibility to comply with all tax declarations, withholdings and other legal requirements arising from the award.

The prize will be awarded by Ecoembes following the Final Event, as notified on the website: https://opencall.thecircularlab.com

Additionally, participating Startups may access a variety of advantages, the most significant of which include:

Opportunities for co-development and business acquisition through direct contact with organisations in the packaging and waste management sector.
Participation in proof-of-concept projects testing Startups’ solutions and showing results to sector organisations.
Recognition, visibility and media impact at the European level as protagonists in the Open Call for Waste Management Startups.

Upon registration, Startups will also enter the goCircular Radar community and benefit from additional advantages outlined on the goCircular Radar website.

Evaluation criteria for Startups

In assessing Startups and selecting finalists and winners, the following evaluation criteria will be weighted:

Maturity and achievements. The maturity level of proposed solutions, with favourable consideration given to those already in commercial phase, as well as the achievements of the Startups that evidence positive growth.
Innovation. The degree of innovation employed by the Startups in the development of their products, services or business models.
Relevance to the challenges. Effectiveness in solving real problems related to the circular economy and aligned with one of the two challenges defined in the competition.

Registration and deadlines

All applications must be submitted via the Initiative’s website: https://opencall.thecircularlab.com

Startups wishing to apply may access the website and complete the corresponding Startup application form.

The deadline for submissions will remain open until 31 January 2026. This deadline may be extended by Ecoembes if necessary to attract more applicants.

By registering, Startups accept these terms of participation and those of goCircular Radar, as well as the privacy and confidentiality policy of the Open Call for Waste Management Startups.

Promoter of the Initiative

The promoter of the Open Call for Waste Management Startups is Ecoembes Entidad Administradora, S.L.U., with tax ID B56540040 and registered office at Calle Cardenal Marcelo Spínola, 14, 2nd floor, 28016 Madrid. It is structured as a transversal initiative within the organisation, involving the Innovation Department and the Local & Regional Management Department, and managed by TheCircularLab innovation centre based in Logroño.

Liability of Ecoembes

Ecoembes reserves the right to extend, modify, curtail, cancel or terminate the Initiative, which will be duly announced on the Open Call for Waste Management Startups communication channels should conditions so advise, and under no circumstances shall it be held liable by participants for such changes.

Ecoembes disclaims any liability for damages or claims arising from participation in the Initiative, or from access to, financing, development or participation in the proof-of-concept projects.

Ecoembes shall not be responsible to participants or third parties who contract services or products from the participating Startups.

Startups represent and warrant that they are the exclusive owners of all materials, documentation, intellectual and industrial property assets, information, etc., which they provide or make available in the context of the Initiative. They shall bear full liability for any claim or legal or extrajudicial action arising from non-compliance, including payment of any compensation, and shall hold Ecoembes harmless at all times.

Confidentiality of Information

As data controller, Ecoembes shall process personal data provided in the context of the Initiative in accordance with the purposes stated in the Initiative’s privacy policy.

This Privacy Policy will be provided during registration and will remain available at all times on the Initiative’s website.

In accordance with that Policy, data subjects may exercise their rights under applicable data protection laws as set forth in the Privacy Policy.

Ecoembes may share information provided by Startups in their registration forms with persons at the Collaborating Entities involved in the evaluation and review process.

Startups may consent to the use of their corporate logo (registered or not), registered or unregistered company name or trade name (together “Distinctive Signs”) to be displayed on Ecoembes’ website, social media, and other Initiative communication channels.

Although use of the Distinctive Signs shall relate to the current edition, Ecoembes shall not be obliged to remove publications in which they appear and may use the Distinctive Signs and such publications indefinitely for archival, historical or communication purposes in Ecoembes’ media, archives and websites, always in connection with the Initiative.