Three sustainable technologies, ranging from biodegradable plastics to next-generation biopesticides and elastic biofibers, have emerged as the winners of Green Leap Challenge 2025, Denmark’s premier competition for green innovation.
The winning startups, selected from 49 submissions, were honored at a ceremony in Axelborgsalen, Copenhagen, each receiving € 6500 (DKK 50,000) and support to further develop their business ideas in food, bio-resources, and circular solutions.
A Showcase of Green Innovation
Organized by Food & Bio Cluster Denmark, in collaboration with Dansk Erhverv, Alliance for Biosolutions, Rockstart, BioInnovation Institute, and Potter Clarkson, the competition highlights the regions leadership in sustainable technology. Previous participants in the Green Leap Challenge have collectively raised over € 200 million (DKK 1.5 billion), demonstrating the competition’s role in accelerating green startups.
The nine finalists pitched their ideas to a jury of experts and a live audience at the “Bio Inspire & Green Leap Awards” event. The winners were chosen based on innovation, scalability, and sustainability impact.
“Every year, we see how innovative green ideas can drive real change, for both the climate and business competitiveness, when they gain access to the right industry-specific networks, necessary support, and proper exposure. With Green Leap Challenge, we aim to give entrepreneurs a small financial boost to fuel their motivation and a platform where their ideas can grow and reach the right stakeholders,”
says Claus Mortensen, Head of Business Development & Internationalisation, Food & Bio Cluster Denmark.
Meet the 2025 Winners
Launch Bioindustries: Turning Yeast Byproducts into Bioplastics
Andrew Chiappetta and Louise Bakke founded Launch Bioindustries, a startup that converts organic yeast byproducts from bio-solutions into PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), a fully biodegradable bioplastic. Their technology offers a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, addressing the global challenge of plastic waste.
Collaborome: Next-Gen Biopesticides from Soil Bacteria
Developed by a team from the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Biology, Thomas Veje Flintegaard, Tanvi Taparia, and Søren Johannes Sørensen, Collaborome is pioneering biopesticides based on consortia of soil bacteria. Their solution provides a natural, chemical-free alternative to traditional pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing environmental harm.
Biomimica: Elastic Biofibers Inspired by Spider Silk
Irina Iachina, affiliated with the University of Southern Denmark’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, leads Biomimica, a project developing sustainable elastic fibers inspired by spider silk. These biodegradable, high-performance biofibers have potential applications in textiles, medical devices, and packaging, offering a green alternative to synthetic materials.
The Green Leap Challenge not only spotlights innovative ideas but also connects startups with investors, mentors, and industry partners to help them scale.
“Being named one of the winners of Green Leap Challenge 2025 gives us a huge boost and tons of energy for the many hours we’ll now spend in the lab. It’s a tremendous recognition of the work we’re doing with Collaborome, and we’re excited to build on the momentum this competition has given us,”
said Thomas Veje Flintegaard, Collaborome
With sustainability at the core of their missions, these startups are poised to reshape industries and drive Denmark’s green transition forward.
