Circular Innovation in Action: Startup Weekend Basel Sparks Sustainable Solutions

Techstars Startup Weekend Circular Economy Basel brought together students, professionals, and entrepreneurs for an intense 3-day hackathon, where participants were tasked with solving real-world challenges using circular solutions. The event, created by Basel Circular and organized in collaboration with Startup Academy Basel, Impact Hub Basel, and the Innovation Office at the University of Basel, provided participants with a glimpse into start-up life through building new ventures, expert mentorship, and a platform to pitch their ideas and create real-world impact.

The result? Dedicated expert mentors, an on-site jury, and spectators were privy to incredible innovations ranging from minimizing food and water waste to avoid empty truck rides, developing eco-friendly sunscreen, creating a low-impact fashion brand, and so much more. When asked about the weekend, expert-mentor Kishore Singh said, "Startup Weekend Basel was buzzing with energy, and I loved being part of it as a Marketing mentor! Every team came in with bold, thoughtful solutions — so good that it was genuinely hard to pick a favourite."

The School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SOiE) at the Innovation Office brought 28 students from the current cohort of the Changemakers in Circular Economy & Sustainability course to the event. From this group, 24 ideas were pitched and by day three, 10 business concepts had been developed and took shape.

On the final day of the event, the first-place team was crowned – A group from the Changemakers in Circular Economy & Sustainability course. Their startup, Merx, uses AI to optimize European truck logistics, reducing empty truck rides, greenhouse gas emissions, and supply chain costs.

"The weekend was an incredible experience. As a team, we managed to overcome various challenges, grow together and, in the end, win together. We are looking forward to developing the idea further over the next few weeks as part of the Changemakers program," says Merx team member Vincent Acocella.

Thank you to Basel Circular for providing the space and opportunity for circular innovation in Basel. As participants continue to refine their ideas and bring them to life, it`s clear that circular innovation has a bright future here in Basel, and we certainly cannot wait to see what lies ahead!