Meet the Growth Garage Challenge

Got a big idea?

Discover how we could help you get your next idea from pitch to product in 3 months.
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October 2022 - January 2023

THE COMPOSITE ENGINEERING CHALLENGE WINNERS

The Composite Engineering Challenge is for all entrepreneurs and innovators globally. We invited startups, scale-ups who are looking to ramp up production and need the right combination of materials, design and production technology.

Thanks to all participants for sharing many innovative ideas!

CONGRATULATIONS to the WINNERS!

Discover more on our LinkedIn page.

Discover more
Our judging criteria

Find out what we’re looking for

Feasibility

While we applaud imaginative thinking, your idea needs to also be a realistic proposal that makes the most innovative use of our materials and technologies.

Scalability

We're looking for fresh ideas from entrepreneurial businesses that are ready to scale up but may still need some support.

Circularity

Our commitment towards circular economy means that every entry will be judged on how much of a positive impact it can make on the environment.

discover all criteria details
Experts panel & jury members

Get to know the jury team

Christoph Greb.jpg
Christoph Greb Scientific Director Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University
NEURA_Robotics_David_Reger_CEO.jpg
David Reger CEO and Founder / Deep-Tech Entrepreneur / Cognitive Robots NEURA Robotics
Marcus Kremers canvas.jpg
Marcus Kremers CTO and Technologist on composites, automation & digitalisation Airborne
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Fumiko Uraki Director of Venture Department at Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation Mitsubishi Chemical Group
Will Chan canvas.jpg
Will Chan Composites Engineering Manager Specialized Bicycle Components
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Jonas Grau Thomsen CEO and Founder of Nordic Bionics / Thought Leader/Influencer Nordic Bionics - Rehabilitation and Wearable Technology
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David Leach Director, Business Development ATC Manufacturing
Benjamin DEBUSSCHERE.jpg
Benjamin Debusschère Head of Events’ Programs and Startup Booster JEC Group
Dr. Lisa Weigand.jpg
Dr. Lisa Weigand Advisor Circular Economy Mitsubishi Chemical Group
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Bram Geenen CEO and Co-founder WeVolver
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Dr. Peter Walde Founder & CEO, Empowering innovators to stay ahead of the curve in a fast-paced world MAPEGY
Henning Bloech.jpg
Henning Bloech Global Director Sustainable Solutions Mitsubishi Chemical Group
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Jules Harings Associate Professor & Group leader Macromolecular Physics & Technology at AMIBM / Maastricht University Maastricht University
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Mark Geljon Customer Experience leader - Business developer digital engineering services GRIDD
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Simon McEvoy UK Head of Strategy & UX // Marketing Academy Alumni Council // B Corp B Leader // Speaker & Author The Marketing Practice
Andy Rudd.jpg
Andy Rudd Global New Business Development Manager Mitsubishi Chemical Group
Stefan Schnippering.jpg
Stefan Schnippering Venture Associate, PHD Diamond Edge Ventures
Randy White MCAM.jpg
Randy White Carbon Fiber and Composites Division Leader, Americas Mitsubishi Chemical Group
Tim Vorage Innovation.jpg
Tim Vorage Senior Manager & Founder Business Incubator Growth Garage Mitsubishi Chemical Group
How we grow together

Your journey in the Growth Garage

Submission and
quick scan
  • Early bird feedback
  • Feasibility check
  • Pre-selection
Selection of finalists
Criteria:
  • Technical and commercial feasibility
  • Scalability
  • Differentiation potential
  • Promote the circular economy
Read more
Winners selected
  • Selection based on strategic fit, differentiation and business potential
  • Award-winning ceremony
Incubator program
begins
Development of idea from pitch to product in 3 months
  • Design optimization, material selection & scalability planning
  • Coaching & expertise from MCG Advanced Materials team
  • Potential funding partnerships for long-term growth
FAQ

Submission questions & guidelines

All answers you need to know before submitting your idea.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE WINNERS OF THE CHALLENGE

Winner categories

Challenge winners program

Challenge Winner

Valued at 25,000 USD

As the winning team you will enter into a partnership with Growth Garage, to develop your product or part in a way that enables you to scale the production whatever stage of production you're in. This includes but is not limited to:

Hands-on Support

  • Support in material/technology selection
  • Support to design for manufacturing
  • Support in tool design
  • Support to scale your production
  • Support in providing a cost prognosis for medium to high volume production and prototyping

Access to resources

  • Access to Mitsubishi Chemical Group latest carbon reinforced composite materials (thermoset and thermoplastic-based) at scale
  • Mitsubishi Chemical Group unique technologies at scale

but also

  • Opportunity for equity investment via Mitsubishi Chemical Group's CVC arm (Diamond Edge Ventures)
  • Exposure to potential customers
  • Access to experts in community and jury
  • Global exposure in various media outlets
  • Access to circularity and sustainability experts

Innovation Award Winner

Prize : Valued at 10,000 USD

As the Innovation Winner you will be awarded for the most impactful, differentiated, innovative idea. The winning team will receive mentoring and support from Mitsubishi Chemical Group engineers and business leaders to further develop the product or part with a view to scale the project.

The Innovation Award includes:

Hands-on Support

  • Support in material/technology selection
  • Support to design for manufacturing
  • Support to scale your production
     

Access to resources

  • Access to Mitsubishi Chemical Group latest carbon reinforced composite materials (thermoset and thermoplastic-based) at scale

but also

  • Exposure to senior management in Mitsubishi Chemical Group and Diamond Edge Ventures
  • Access to experts in our community and jury

Wevolver Community Winner

Honorable recognition 

Wevolver is a community providing millions of engineers inspiring, informative content through a number of web and social channels.

Wevolver empowers people to create and innovate. They provide access to engineering knowledge that can help engineers develop meaningful products. 

How does the Wevolver Community decides on the challenge winner :

The Wevolver Community vote is decided through a public poll of the finalists. The voting opens after the finalists are announced and runs from Jan 2- Jan 9. The winner is the entry with the highest number of votes.

The winner will receive an honorable mention at the awards ceremony and be brought to the attention of senior management of Mitsubishi Chemical Group and the Venture group of Mitsubishi Chemical Group. Further, the Wevolver Community winner will be interviewed for an article published on Growth Garage and Wevolver.

October 2022 - January 2023

The Composite Engineering Challenge

Share your project with us and start your journey to tomorrow

Apply now
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