With the finale of its annual Innovation Challenge, ISC3 brings together startups, industry representatives, investors, decision-makers, and other stakeholders. Visitors of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge pitch session will discover innovations addressing some of the electronics sector’s biggest sustainability challenges. The solutions of the start-ups range from the recycling of rare-earth magnets in Germany and next-generation battery electrolytes from Azerbaijan to bio-based reversible adhesives from Tanzania. Other finalists offer community-driven e-waste recycling in Ghana, an AI-driven “Chemical Digital Twin” for electronics from Singapore, circular energy storage in Botswana, a resource-saving coating process for chip assembly in Germany, and eco-designed smart ear tags for animal health in Tanzania.
Strengthening the Link Between Sustainable Chemistry and Electronics
The Innovation Challenge connects Sustainable Chemistry with one of the world's most resource-intensive industries. It brings international start-ups together with the electronics sector, and it builds on the strategic partnership between ISC3 and the Global Electronics Association.
Electronics shape our everyday lives, and their chemistry decides how sustainable they can be,
said Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub. The finalists show that solutions for safer, cleaner and more circular electronics are emerging from all corners of the world. We invite everyone at electronica to come and hear them pitch their ideas, and to help decide which start-up wins the Audience Award.
The Global Electronics Association is not only welcoming the finalists to its booth at electronica but also actively supporting the Challenge by hosting its finale and contributing to the judging panel.
Sustainability in electronics can only be achieved if the whole value chain works together,
said Dr. Diana Radovan, Director of Sustainability Policy at Global Electronics Association. By hosting the finalists at electronica, we connect fresh ideas from around the world with the industry that can help bring them to scale. We are proud to support the Challenge and look forward to seeing which solutions will shape the future of more sustainable electronics.
Programme Highlights
Over two days, visitors of electronica can follow the final pitches of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2026, attend the award ceremony and meet the finalists on the Startup Stage at electronica Fast Forward. In addition, ISC3 invites selected industry representatives and experts to join the start-up finalists for an exclusive matchmaking dinner as ISC3’s guests. Places are limited to 30 guests.
Wednesday, 11 November | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
ISC3 Challenge finalists pitch sustainable electronics ideas
Global Electronics Association booth, Hall A1, Booth 463
- Each finalist will deliver a final pitch.
- Hear how start-ups from around the world are developing more sustainable electronics, and vote for your favourite pitch.
Wednesday, 11 November | from 7:30 p.m.
Invitation-only matchmaking dinner connects start-ups with industry representatives and experts
Limited to 30 guests
Thursday, 12 November | 11:00–11:30 a.m.
Meet ISC3 and its start-ups at electronica Fast Forward
electronica Fast Forward, Start-up Stage, Hall B4
- As a guest of electronica Fast Forward, ISC3 will introduce its Global Start-up Service and this year’s Innovation Challenge. Fast Forward, the start-up platform by electronica and Elektor, brings electronics and deep-tech start-ups together with industry representatives and investors.
Thursday, 12 November | 3:00–4:00 p.m.
ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2026 winners and award recipients to be announced
Global Electronics Association booth, Hall A1, Booth 463
- The ceremony will announce the winner of the €15,000 main prize, the recipients of the two €5,000 Special Impact Awards, and the Audience Award winner.
For further information please visit: Industry Matchmaking.
The 2026 ISC3 Innovation Challenge Finalists
(Alphabetical order)
Afya Ya Mnyama Digital (Tanzania)
Afya Ya Mnyama Digital has developed an eco-designed, modular smart ear tag sensor system that monitors the health of farm animals in real time while reducing environmental impact across the device lifecycle.
AppCyclers (Ghana)
AppCyclers runs a safe and community-driven digital e-waste recycling system − from collection, safe recycling and training to trading quality recycled products.
B-CIRC Botswana Circular Energy Storage Platform (Botswana)
B-CIRC is building a four-device energy storage and solar-fuel platform that aims to source all active electrode and electrolyte materials from Botswana's waste streams or evaporite deposits.
Ecolyte (Azerbaijan)
Ecolyte is replacing flammable electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries with ionic liquid-based gel that have the potential to enhance battery efficiency, lifespan, and safety.
ON nano International (Germany)
ON nano International (Germany) is offering the world`s first largest-area spin coater for glass-based circuit boards that enables highly uniform resist coating on ultra-thin material layers for next generation chip assembly while significantly reducing chemical and material consumption.
ReBond Technologies (Tanzania)
ReBond introduces a low-cost, bio-based reversible adhesive for electronic assembly and disassembly, improving material recovery and supporting circular electronics.
TSR Innovations (Germany)
TSR Innovations is developing a cost-efficient, closed-loop mechanochemical recycling process for end-of-life rare-earth magnets.
WeavInsight (Singapore)
WeavInsight builds an AI-driven remote sensing and IoT platform that creates a “Chemical Digital Twin” for electronics, helping to detect and reduce material dissipation and toxic leakage.
