News & Podcast

The new Greentech Monitor from the Startup Association shows: Munich continues to be one of the most important locations for greentech startups in Germany. At the same time, many energy startups are struggling with a financing gap worth billions of euros.

According to the new 2026 startup landscape from Circular Republic, more than 55 percent of globally invested venture capital flowed to circular economy startups in Europe in 2024. The data-driven analysis identifies around 2,800 startups in Europe and shows strong growth potential, particularly in automated disassembly, AI-powered recycling, and the recovery of critical raw materials.

The Green Startup Report 2026 by the Borderstep Institute shows: over the past ten years, the number of green startups in Germany has grown by six percent. At the same time, startup dynamics have recently slowed – even though markets for greentech solutions continue to grow.

Circular Republic and Knorr-Bremse are calling startups to apply for the Circular Technology Award. Prize money, proof-of-concept projects, and strong industry partners await.

The Sprind Challenge supports innovative processes for recovering critical metals from waste streams. Applications are open until November 7, 2025.

The Munich startup Justairtech develops a cooling system that works with a seemingly simple but previously economically unused medium: air. With innovative 3D-printed heat exchangers and a fractal design, they reduce energy consumption by up to 80 percent according to the company – and thus take an important step towards climate-neutral cooling. Target: data centers, industrial cooling, and soon also eco-friendly heating. More about this in the interview.

Ecomates is advancing the energy transition in the hospitality industry. The so-called Smart-Degraders from the Munich startup are currently the smallest fully automated biogas plants that help businesses save not only emissions but also money. The founders revealed to us how the idea came about, what grandma’s garage has to do with it, and how you can support the young company. First published on: June 14, 2024

Ocell supports forestry with software that combines aerial imagery and artificial intelligence. The Munich-based company has now completed an investment of €4.9 million ($5 million).

Orcan Energy develops and sells systems that convert industrial waste heat into electricity. The Munich-based company has raised €28.5 million in a funding round. The capital is to be invested in international expansion.

The Green Generation Fund has raised a total of 100 million euros. The money is to be invested in sustainable startups that achieve significant progress in CO2 avoidance, circular economy, climate and resource protection, health promotion, and biodiversity.