Circular Innovation Award Austria

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.

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Application phase: 1 April - 1 July 2026
Finalist announcement: Mid-September 2026
Award ceremony: October 2026

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)

Target group: Organisations or individuals with a special social contribution to the circular economy (companies, NGOs, social enterprises, initiatives)

Description: Special prize for exceptional social or long-term pioneering achievements (e.g. family businesses with a long-standing focus on resource conservation and cycles, social enterprises, community initiatives, educational organisations, individuals) - awarded by unanimous jury decision - nomination by third parties but no self-nomination possible

Qualitative evaluation criteria:
- Social impact & inclusion
- Setting an example for others
- Long-lasting effect / sustainability
- Commitment beyond economic interests
- Contribution to raising awareness

Economic evaluation criteria (circular KPIs):
o Social employment effects (e.g. inclusive labour market)
o Impact per euro invested (impact per euro)
o Long-term development of structures & communities
o Educational and awareness-raising work in a circular context

International jury

International jury
The award winners are selected transparently, in several stages and independently on the basis of clearly defined criteria:
Central evaluation criteria:
- Degree of innovation & originality
- Demonstrable ecological impact (e.g. resource and CO₂ savings)
- Economic viability & circular KPIs
- Scalability & replication capability
- Austrian connection & regional added value

Members of the jury:
- Karin Huber-Heim, Circular Economy Forum Austria, Task Force Circular Economy
- Christian Richter-Schöller, Schiefer Attorneys at Law
- Verena Krassnig, Raiffeisen-Landesbank Styria
- Wolfgang Wimmer, TU Vienna, Task Force Circular Economy
- Martin Greiml, Centre for Bioeconomy, BOKU, Task Force Circular Economy
- Katrin Muff, The Institute for Business Sustainability, Lucerne
- Rene Schmidtpeter, Bern University of Applied Sciences
- Julika Dittrich, Pathway Consulting, Berlin
- Ladeja Godina Kosir, European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, Brussels
- Patrick Schröder, Chatham House, London

Sponsorship & support

The Circular Innovation Award Austria is supported by a strong, institutionally broad-based group of partners. This structure guarantees professional quality, credibility, independence and a wide reach. Together, the sponsors cover the entire innovation spectrum of the circular economy:
Ecosystem & Expertise - Governance & Law - Financing & Scaling.

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.

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Contact & Information: ciaa@circulareconomyforum.at

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The Austrian Innovation Award for pioneering companies in the circular economy

Austria makes beacons of transformation visible.

Award categories

Circular Industry Innovation

Circular Business Model Innovation

Technological Circularity Breakthrough

Circular Startup of the Year

Circular Collaboration Award

Recognition Awards (special jury prizes - not awarded annually)

International jury

Sponsorship & support

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