Circular RepublicThe UnternehmerTUM Circular Economy Initiative, together with Knorr-Bremse, is launching the Circular Technology Award. The call for applications is aimed at startups and small and medium-sized enterprises from across Europe. The goal is to find greentech solutions that advance the automated dismantling and recycling of critical raw materials.
Europe is increasingly strengthening its economic resilience through the circular economy. This is precisely where the award comes in: It seeks scalable innovations that use artificial intelligence, robotics, and new business models to rethink the recovery of valuable raw materials. Companies are developing solutions that enable the automated disassembly of high-tech components and the efficient return of materials to the economic cycle.
Prize money and proof-of-concept with Knorr-Bremse
The Circular Technology Award includes four prizes of €25,000 each. In addition, two of the winning companies will have the opportunity to implement their technology directly with Knorr-Bremse in a proof-of-concept project. A budget of up to €150,000 is available for this purpose.
Matthias Ballweg, Co-Founder of Circular Republic, emphasizes:
“The circular economy is no longer a niche topic – it is a strategic answer to geopolitical dependencies, resource scarcity and the increasing pressure to innovate in Europe. The Knorr-Bremse Circular Technology Award addresses precisely this: It combines entrepreneurial innovation with industrial implementation. As part of UnternehmerTUM, we bring together startups, SMEs and industry to turn ideas into concrete impact.”
Knorr-Bremse is collaborating with the Heinz Hermann Thiele Family Foundation and Circular Republic for the award. Marc Llistosella, CEO of Knorr-Bremse AG, says:
“Automated dismantling and recycling technologies are crucial for a robust and sustainable economy. The recovery of critical raw materials opens up enormous growth potential. With the Circular Technology Award, we are taking an important step towards advancing new greentech solutions together with innovative companies.”
The application period ends on March 2, 2026. The award ceremony will take place on May 6, 2026 at IFAT, a trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management, in Munich.
