The Austrian Innovation Award for pioneering companies in the circular economy
Austria makes beacons of transformation visible.
The Circular Innovation Award Austria (CIAA) honours companies that work with innovative circular business models, technologies and collaborations achieve a measurable ecological, social and economic impact. It recognises, networks and strengthens those companies that are advancing the circular economy in Austria and creates the
- Recognising outstanding Austrian pioneering companies - Visualisation of best practices in the circular economy - Strengthening competitiveness and resource efficiency - Positioning Austria as a pioneering country in Europe
The Circular Innovation Award Austria is under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK). Government and institutional awards emphasise the political will and motivate companies to implement innovative circular practices.
Application: 1 April - 31 July 2026 Announcement of the finalists: Beginning of October 2026 Award ceremony: 28 October 2026, 18:00, in the large ballroom in the Haus der Industrie, Schwarzenbergplatz 4, 1030 Vienna
can submit: - Large companies - SMES - Startups - Co-operations & cross-sector partnerships
Award categories
The prize is aimed exclusively at Austrian companies or companies whose circular value creation is essentially realised in Austria or controlled from Austria. with a demonstrable, measurable impact on Austrian value chains. The jury, consisting of experts in the field, evaluates independently, in several stages and on the basis of clear criteria.
Click on the Category description and find out more about the content and target groups, as well as the jury's qualitative and quantitative evaluation criteria.
Circular solutions on an industrial scale (GU) For companies that implement circular principles - such as reuse, recycling or resource efficiency - on a large scale in their production or supply chain. Not just a pilot project, but real industrial transformation.
Target group: Large companies with a cross-industry impact Description: Award for a company that has implemented circular principles on an industrial scale in value chains - with measurable economic and environmental effects along the value chain.
Qualitative evaluation criteria: - Scalability & potential for implementation in other companies or industries - Reduction in resources and emissions (quantifiable) - Degree of innovation (e.g. design, processes, digitalisation) - Integration into core processes (not just CSR projects) - Systemic impact on industry / value chains
Economic evaluation criteria (circular KPIs): o Circular sales share (% of total sales) o Savings through resource efficiency (€/t or €/unit) o Investments in circular infrastructure (% of CAPEX/OPEX) o Recycling rate (secondary raw materials, use of recyclates) o Degree of digitalisation for cycle optimisation (e.g. material tracking)
Circular-based business model innovation (JVs, SMEs, start-ups) For companies or start-ups that have developed a completely new business model based on circular principles - e.g. renting instead of buying, pay-per-use, subscription, reuse, recycling as a core service or waste as a raw material.
Target group: JV, SMEs, start-ups Description: Award for innovative circular business models that systemically combine economic, ecological, social and goals and reduce resource consumption and are economically viable through circular logic (e.g. product-as-a-service, design for circularity, sharing models, refurbishment or remanufacturing, upcycling business models).
Qualitative evaluation criteria: - Business model innovation (logical, profitable circular logic) - Integration into the corporate strategy - Conservation of resources & CO₂ savings - Market potential and capacity for growth - Contribution to SDGs and social impact (opt)
Economic evaluation criteria (circular KPIs): o Business model sustainability (e.g. break-even, ROI) o Reuse or life cycle extension rate (%) o Recurring revenue (for PaaS) o Contribution margin development compared to the linear alternative o Additional sales through circular services (e.g. take-back, repair)
Technological innovations for circularity and material efficiency For pioneering technologies that make it possible to recycle materials more efficiently, use products for longer or avoid waste - e.g. new recycling processes, smart sensors for product life cycles or AI-supported material tracking.
Target group: JV, SMEs, start-ups Description: Technology / Technological innovation with significant potential to promote circularity - e.g. design, recovery, tracking or recycling, for material reuse, recyclability, AI-enabled material flows or innovative recycling technologies.
Qualitative evaluation criteria: - Technology maturity and degree of innovation - Contribution to recycling / material efficiency - Practical applicability / market readiness - System integration (e.g. automation, platforms) - Sustainable impact (quantifiable)
Economic evaluation criteria (circular KPIs): o Cost advantage of circular technology (€/unit) o Scaling costs vs. savings potential o Return on Circular Investment (RoCI) o Licensing potential / IP
Young company with a circular core model and initial market successes For young, innovative companies that are advancing the circular economy with fresh ideas and disruptive approaches - whether with digital platforms, new products or services that conserve resources. Target group: Young companies with an innovative, circular core model and initial market successes (max. 5 years old) Description: Honouring a young company that is pursuing a disruptive market approach through circular thinking and has already achieved its first impact.
Qualitative evaluation criteria: - Level of innovation & originality of the circular approach - Proof of concept / first market successes - Scalability / investor relevance - Team performance and strategic vision - Relevance to Austria and regional impact
Economic evaluation criteria (circular KPIs): o Sales growth from circular services (YoY) o Unit economics (costs vs. revenue per circular unit) o Financing status & investor interest o CO₂/resource savings per € turnover o Monetisation of circular platforms/services (only to be answered for services)
Cross-sector cooperation with a systemic effect For exceptional cooperation between companies, authorities, research or NGOs that jointly develop solutions for a more sustainable, circular economy - because the circular economy requires teamwork.
Target group: JVs, SMEs, start-ups, cross- or intersectoral partnerships Description: Award for particularly effective cross-sector collaborations that enable circular solutions and jointly create economic and ecological added value, e.g. eco-industrial parks, industrial start-up research, urban mining with municipalities, reverse supply chains, etc.
Qualitative evaluation criteria: - Degree of innovation of the cooperation - Governance & sustainability of the partnership - Multidimensional impact (ecological, social, economic) - Transferability to other sectors - Relevance to Austria and sectoral role model effect
Economic evaluation criteria (circular KPIs): o Joint investments (co-funding) o Synergy effects (economic & ecological) o New, co-operative business models o Governance structures & replication capability o Economic benefits of cooperation (e.g. cost sharing, new markets)
Circular Pioneer: For courageous pioneers who are the first to break new ground in the circular economy - whether with ground-breaking ideas, unconventional approaches or disruptive solutions. They show how things can be done differently - and set standards.
Social Circular Impact: For projects or individuals that combine circular principles with social benefits: e.g. creating jobs, involving disadvantaged groups or strengthening communities. Circular economy that moves people - not just materials.
Circular Economy Forum Austria Austria's largest independent multi-stakeholder platform for the circular economy is responsible for the content, technical quality and strategic embedding of the award. The forum connects decision-makers from business, politics and administration, science, design and civil society and ensures cooperation with national and international partners.
Schiefer Solicitors Schiefer Rechtsanwälte is the top public procurement law firm in Austria with headquarters in Vienna and additional offices in Salzburg, Graz, Klagenfurt, St. Pölten and Linz. The 50-strong team of experts led by partners Martin Schiefer, Maria Troger and Christian Richter-Schöller has set itself the task of rethinking public procurement law: strategically, innovatively and regionally. https://www.schiefer.at/
Raiffeisen-Landesbank Styria Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark is the central institution of the Raiffeisen Banking Group Styria and is one of the most important regional banks in Austria. It stands for stability, innovation and regional responsibility and is active in all key areas of the banking business - from traditional lending to the institutional capital market. In addition, Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark plays an active role as an investor in promising companies.
Play an active role in shaping the future of the economy! Submit your project and make your activities visible.
The Circular Economy Forum Austria is Austria's largest independent multi-stakeholder platform for the promotion of the circular economy. The forum supports companies and their environment on the path to the circular economy and connects key players to create innovative value creation cycles. The creation of value creation cycles that address social and environmental challenges requires a systemic approach.
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