SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION PITCH COMPETITION for Croatian Start-ups and Scale-ups in 2026

31 projects were submitted for the 2nd edition of the Sustainable Innovation Pitch Competition—a record number and a jump from the 24 projects submitted last year.

The selection committee chose six finalists who demonstrated the highest level of innovation in their approach to sustainability through products, technologies, and business models—see which projects made it to the finals:

Sustainable Start-up Category

GIGOPLET - A modular platform for sustainable nanofiber manufacturing 

LinkedIn  

NitKo participated in this competition last year with the Nanoweaver project. Since then, we have significantly expanded our vision, validated our technology, and identified new applications that transform our original concept into a broader innovation platform. To reflect this evolution, we have renamed the project Gigoplet, honouring Gigo, the nickname of our late co-founder whose passion and engineering work laid the foundation for the electrospinning technology we continue to develop today. NitKo develops advanced electrospinning solutions for sustainable healthcare and advanced material manufacturing. Our flagship technology, Gigoplet, is a compact, modular electrospinning platform designed to make nanofiber manufacturing more accessible, flexible, and sustainable. Compared to conventional tabletop electrospinning systems, Gigoplet is further miniaturized and incorporates a range of proprietary innovations that improve usability, automation, precision, and portability. The platform is designed to support different configurations and future upgrades depending on the intended application. 

Beyond this first application, Gigoplet serves as a platform for future electrospinning-based innovations. We are developing customized nanofiber wound-closure systems ("electrospun zip patches") for deeper injuries, biodegradable electrospun dressings for chronic wound management, and a modular integration with existing 3D printers that enables automated three-dimensional nanofiber manufacturing. By combining additive manufacturing with electrospinning, we aim to unlock new possibilities for producing advanced medical materials while reducing material consumption, transportation requirements, and environmental impact. Through Gigoplet, NitKo is building a new generation of advanced electrospinning solutions that combine sustainability, modularity, and smart engineering to address real-world healthcare challenges.

METASTRUCT - A deep-tech platform leveraging parametric design and additive manufacturing to build sustainable structures 

LinkedIn 

METASTRUCT is a Croatian deep-tech startup with a mission to transform one of the world's most resource-intensive industries into a more sustainable, efficient and digitally driven sector. By combining proprietary computational design, topology optimization, advanced materials and additive manufacturing, we are creating a new generation of construction systems that significantly reduce material consumption, embodied carbon emissions and construction waste while improving structural performance. Our patent-pending technology represents a new approach to how buildings and infrastructure will be designed and manufactured in the future. Unlike traditional construction companies, METASTRUCT is building a scalable ConTech platform rather than a single product. Our first product, MetaWALL, demonstrates the commercial application of our technology, while the platform enables future development of multiple construction products, engineering solutions, digital tools and technology licensing opportunities. This creates long-term value, diversified revenue streams and strong international growth potential. 

Our innovation has already received strong independent validation. METASTRUCT is the winner of the Liftoff 2026 startup programme, has been selected for the EIT Jumpstarter 2026 programme and ranked among the Top 10 startups in the "Pokreni nešto svoje" programme. Together with leading industrial partners, we are preparing pilot projects to validate our technology in real construction environments and accelerate commercialization. Through collaborations with EPFL, the University of Zagreb, and industry leaders, we are combining cutting-edge research with practical implementation to bring the next generation of low-carbon, resource-efficient construction systems to the global market. Beyond developing innovative products, METASTRUCT aims to position Croatia as a source of world-class sustainable construction technologies. We believe the future of construction will be defined by intelligent design, resource efficiency and measurable environmental impact. Our ambition is to become a globally recognised ConTech company that accelerates the transition towards climate-neutral construction while creating high-value intellectual property, highly skilled jobs and long-term economic value. 

LIQUID POINT - Automated Refill Infrastructure for Packaging-Free Retail

Web  /  Web 

Liquid Point is a new retail infrastructure for refilling beverages and household liquid products without the need for single-use bottles, caps, labels, cardboard packaging, or transport films. The system connects stainless-steel tanks at the manufacturing facility, product transportation, retail storage tanks, automated micro-stations, and reusable consumer bottles into one integrated supply chain. The consumer selects a product on the screen, places a reusable bottle in the station, and automatically receives the required quantity. A single micro-station can dispense up to 20 different products through physically separated channels. The system enables precise dispensing, digital transaction records, and fully automated availability 24 hours a day. Liquid Point does not merely seek to improve packaging recycling. It prevents packaging waste from being created by removing the need for single-use packaging throughout the supply chain. 

The main objective is to develop, validate, and commercialise Liquid Point as a scalable infrastructure for the automated refill of beverages and household liquid products without single-use plastic packaging. The key tasks include completing and industrially validating a micro-station with up to 20 separate product channels, developing a precise dispensing system that prevents product mixing, integrating the user interface, RFID/NFC identification, safety functions, and digital data monitoring, and implementing a pilot project at selected retail locations. The project will also measure the environmental, operational, and financial impact of the solution, establish a manufacturing and service supply chain with Croatian partners, and prepare the system for serial production, international commercialisation, and expansion across a larger network of retail locations. 

Sustainable Scale-up Category

EARTHBOUND - Radically ecological footwear made of next-generation bio-based materials 

Web 

Earthbound (MIRET d.o.o.) is radically ecological footwear brand from Croatia that produces 97% bio-based sneakers. Our sneakers don't contain any toxic chemicals (proven by OEKO-TEX) and are completely plastics free. Stolen Grace is Earthbound's new SS27 footwear project, introducing a completely redesigned collection featuring new sneaker models, a refreshed brand identity, and the integration of innovative mushroom leather-like material as a nextgeneration bio-based material. The project combines sustainable material innovation with environmental storytelling, with each model inspired by an endangered species to raise awareness of biodiversity loss and responsible consumption. By merging premium design, natural materials, and low-impact production, Stolen Grace demonstrates how innovation can create footwear that is better for people and the planet. 

The Stolen Grace project marks the most significant product innovation in the brand's development to date, and the primary goals are to:

- Introduce next-generation sustainable materials by integrating 100% bio-based mushroom leather (mycelium) into Earthbound's material portfolio.

- Redesign the entire product line through the development of completely new sneaker silhouettes, improved construction, and a new visual identity, including an updated Earthbound logo, creating a stronger and more distinctive brand

presence.

- Advance sustainable footwear innovation by combining natural, non-toxic, and responsibly sourced materials with modern manufacturing methods that prioritize human health, environmental protection, and long product life.

- Raise awareness about biodiversity loss through the Stolen Grace collection, where every model is inspired by a critically endangered species affected by habitat destruction and illegal wildlife trade, transforming footwear into a platform for

environmental education and storytelling.

- Strengthen Earthbound's market position as a leading European sustainable footwear brand by offering innovative products that combine design, functionality, certified materials, and measurable environmental responsibility. 

WOOLEE - Eco-Wool Tech Engineered for Sustainability 

Web 

We transform agricultural waste into premium organic fertiliser. Our company designs and manufactures proprietary, patented machinery and green technology that converts raw sheep wool into high-value ecological pellets. This innovative, zero-waste solution has already secured both international patents and prestigious global innovation awards. 

The Problem

• Massive Waste: Millions of tons of raw wool are discarded, HR 1300 t, EU 160.000 t, annually
• Soil Degradation: Modern farming faces severe droughts and chemical depletion. 

Our Solution

• Patented Machinery: Industrial tech designed to process unwashed, raw wool.
• 100% Organic Pellets: Eco-fertiliser that cuts agricultural water use by 25% [WOOLEE]. 

Core Technology

• Green Engineering: Thermal processing requires zero chemicals or plastics [WOOLEE].
• Biosecurity: Patented sterilisation guarantees 100% pathogen-free products.
• Proven Success: Awarded prestigious international gold medals for innovation [WOOLEE].

Business Model

• Turnkey Plants: Selling ready-to-operate manufacturing units globally.
• Technology Licensing: Scaling via franchises in high-density sheep farming regions.
• Product Sales: B2B and B2C distribution of premium organic fertiliser [WOOLEE]. 

EDUGARDEN 2.0 - Smart School Gardens with a Gamified Sustainability Curriculum 

smartgarden.hr 

Smart Garden Systems is an award-winning Croatian AgTech/EdTech company: our EduGarden won the Best Innovation Award and the MyKenz Award for green & eco-sustainable innovations at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva (2023), a gold medal at ARCA 2023, and the national "Innovation of the Year 2023" award from the Croatian Innovators' Community. We have already shipped a complete working ecosystem: our own smart-garden hardware (in production, stock on hand), a live cross-platform mobile app (iOS + Android, 70+ production builds), a web portal for schools and teachers, and an e-commerce store. The company is founder-owned, backed by €50,000 of HAMAG-BICRO non-refundable grants and €40,000 of founders' own investment, with revenue since 2023 and the first school communities live in the app today.

EduGarden 2.0 pairs a physical smart garden installed in the school (zoned grow-lights, moisture sensors, remote control) with a mobile app where every pupil raises their own virtual plant that grows through real daily care, botanical quizzes and class missions. Teachers get a professional dashboard (light-zone scheduling, moisture trends, timelapse, class management); pupils get an emotional, Tamagotchi-like learning companion ("EduBiljka") with 13 collectible plant species, a botanical lab, a plant-trading fair and class-vs-class leaderboards. Everything the child does in the app is anchored to real horticulture happening at their school. The result: children aged 7–14 build daily, measurable sustainability habits — and schools can prove it. 

In selecting these six finalists out of 31 high-quality projects, we were guided by the principles of uniqueness (innovation), financial potential, scalability, sustainability potential, and geographic scope.

The finalists will compete on September 10 at the Support Sustainability conference in front of expert jury and audience—come and support them between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM at Lauba in Zagreb!

Details of the Call for entries and competition terms can be found below:

Call for Croatian Start-ups and Scale-ups

The Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) is delighted to invite the Croatian Startup Community to join the 2nd edition of the PITCH COMPETITION for Croatian Start-up and Scale-up companies working in the field of sustainable innovation, and present projects at the „Support Sustainability 2026“ conference.

Eligible to apply are all Start-up and Scale-up companies developing sustainable innovative technological, product or service solutions in the areas of renewable energy, recycling and reuse, circular design and production, waste disposal, water and marine, biodiversity and ecosystems, pollution, sustainable agriculture, mobility, climate, and built environment/construction.

Pre-selected six best projects from the “Sustainable Start-up” and the “Sustainable Scale-up” categories will have the opportunity to present live at the PITCH COMPETITION at the “Support Sustainability 2026” conference on September 10 in Zagreb (Lauba). Competition finalists will be able to win valuable awards, gain media visibility, and receive comments and suggestions for increasing investment readiness from an expert jury made up of foreign and domestic investment experts.

This year, all six finalists will win the prize of a study visit in Sweden, consisting of organized meetings with Swedish investors, potential partners and the local Start-up community. Return airfare and hotel accommodation during the study visit will be covered for 1 representative of each finalist.

Winners in the categories “Sustainability Start-up Champion” and “Sustainability Scale-up Champion” announced at the PITCH COMPETITION will each receive the following rewards:

• A financial award of 5.000 EUR (net).
• A study visit to Sweden (return airfare and hotel accommodation during the study visit will be covered for 1 representative).
• Investment readiness suggestions for improvement and an opportunity for additional access to financing their projects through the expert jury's network of contacts and specialized ESG Project Funds.

Who can apply:

• All Sustainable/CleanTech technological, product or service solutions are welcome, within the themes of renewable energy, recycling and reuse, circular design and production, waste disposal, water and marine, biodiversity and ecosystems, pollution, sustainable agriculture, mobility, climate, and built environment/construction.
• Open to Croatian companies in their Start-up and Scale-up phase of development (pre-revenue, breakeven and post-revenue) that have so far received less than 5 million EUR total investment. Preferable Technology Readiness Level is TRL 5 – TRL 8, but we will consider other maturity levels.

Pre-Selection Criteria:

The Advisory Board will use the following criteria to assess your company’s and project’s investment readiness:

• Is there clarity about the stage of growth of the business and the level of funding being sought?
• Is this a viable, sustainable, innovative and defendable technology/product/service which is scalable and responds to market demand?
• Is there a commercially viable business model and plan?
• Is the team ready and capable of developing this project as a viable business?
• Is this project/business likely to contribute to the sustainable economy i.e. make a difference to energy/waste/buildings/carbon reduction etc. for the broader benefits of society? We are looking for a clear demonstration of environmental impact.

Criteria for Success:

Your application to the PITCH COMPETITION will stand out if your solution directly contributes to meeting climate targets, whether it's through lowering energy consumption, reducing transportation emissions, or developing climate resilience.

If selected, you will be required to:

• Send a Pitch Deck in English (max. 10 slides) by September 1, 2026, to esg@hgk.hr
• Attend a PITCH COMPETITION and pitch in English (5 minutes) in front of the Investment Jury Board and audience at the “Support Sustainability 2026” conference held in Zagreb (Lauba) on September 10, 2026 (time schedule TBC). Q&A with the Investment Jury Board will take place after the pitch (5 minutes).

Apply Here:

Please fill out the application form for the PITCH COMPETITION in English with details about your Start-up/Scale-up and the innovative solution you are proposing. 

Application Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026 (23:59 CET). We encourage you to apply earlier if possible.

Timeline overview:

• May 25, 2026 – Launch: PITCH COMPETITION Call
• July 31, 2026 – Application deadline (23:59 CET)
• August 28, 2026 – Decisions for pre-selected best projects
• September 6, 2026 – Pitch Deck submission deadline (23:59 CET)
• September 10, 2026 – PITCH COMPETITION at the “Support Sustainability 2026” conference & awards

For inquiries, please contact: 

Croatian Chamber of Economy - Sector for Energy and Sustainable Development

Contact person:

• Ms. Ana Marinović
• Tel: +385 1 456 1685
• Email: amarinovic@hgk.hr  

Supporting documents:

• Pitch natjecanje 2026._Poziv
• Pitch Competition 2026_Call

Take a look at last year's competition results!