World Cleanup Institute | BCBT Berlin
Startup Mentor Stage
Intelligence in the Loop - Humans, AI & the Future of the Circular Economy
21 May 2026
17:00–19:00
Location
Venture Café, CIC Berlin
12435 Berlin, Germany
Part of the CIC Berlin innovation campus.
Official event poster and two venue photos — carousel of three images advances every 8 seconds; pauses while you hover. Use controls or arrow keys when focused. Scan the QR on the poster slide to apply.
Six images rotate automatically every 8 seconds unless you hover over this region. Use previous and next buttons, dot indicators, or arrow keys when focused to change slides. Scan the QR on the spotlight slide where shown to register.
Application deadline: 16 May 2026
Partners & supporters
With thanks to the organisations helping us host and grow this programme in Berlin.
Why this evening
You have 60 seconds, a room full of industry experts, and three mentors who have built circular systems themselves.
Pitch your circular economy idea, name the challenge you are stuck on, and receive direct, practical guidance. This is not a symbolic prize format - it is a founder support stage.
The winner receives a confirmed pitch slot at the Deep Tech Award in December 2026 and a seat in the We Create Future ecosystem.
How the format works
1. 60-second pitch
Any circularity-related sector is welcome. No slides required.
2. Name one pain point
Founders identify the exact challenge blocking progress right now.
3. Mentor response
Direct input, concrete next steps, no fluff.
After all pitches, mentors share one key next step per founder. Then the room opens for Q&A and the winner is selected by applause.
Application & Selection
Have a startup idea to share first? Use the idea intake form ("Intelligence in the Loop — Humans, AI & the Future of the Circular Economy").
Pitch slots are not open to walk-ins. Founders apply in advance.
Apply at the Startup Mentor Stage form with:
- Your idea
- Your main pain point
- Why this evening is the right fit
Any sector is welcome - the theme is circularity. Selection is made by the We Create Future team, with notifications by 16 May 2026.
Moderation & Mentors
Moderation - Mali M. Baum: CEO & Founder of WLOUNGE; board member of the European Innovation Council; serial entrepreneur and long-standing startup ecosystem builder.
Daniela Felder
Felder Felder
Co-founder of the London/Berlin design studio with deep expertise in circular fashion, speculative design, and SDG 12 implementation.
Mentor lens: Is this truly circular by design, or linear production with a green label?
Holger Holland
BCBT Berlin / World Cleanup Institute
Initiator of World Cleanup Day Germany and co-architect of the We Create Future loop from jersey to recycle and back.
Mentor lens: Does this close the loop end-to-end, or hand off and hope?
Mentor 3 (VC, to be confirmed)
Recommended: Ali Alami (DEEP Pioneers / Earlybird, ESMT Berlin)
Deep-tech and circular AI investment perspective focused on what turns promising innovation into fundable ventures.
Mentor lens: What needs to change for the model to become investment-ready?
Final call
Ready to pitch your circular challenge?
Applications close on 16 May 2026. Form completion takes about 2 minutes.