sTARTUp Pitching 2026 winners are ImpactPCB and LifeGlue
The sTARTUp Pitching concluded with significant investments from investors and awards from partners, recognising startups with validated technologies, early traction and strong international growth potential.
An EstBAN-led angel syndicate decided to invest up to €150,000 in two startups from the sTARTUp Day Pitching competition: ImpactPCB and LifeGlue.
ImpactPCB is developing a chemical-free, deep-tech solution for electronic waste recycling, enabling the recovery of precious and critical metals through dry mechanical processing. The company already has revenue-generating operations and early customer traction, addressing a critical European challenge in resource security and circular economy.
LifeGlue is developing a scalable biomaterial platform for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The company’s clinically compatible bioink is built on strong scientific foundations and offers broad application potential, supporting the transition from laboratory research to real medical use.
According to Martin Goroško, one of the syndicate lead investors from EstBAN, the investment decisions were driven by clear market validation and long-term scalability. “ImpactPCB offers a validated, revenue-generating deep-tech solution for chemical-free e-waste recycling, addressing a critical EU resource challenge,” said Martin Goroško. “Strong founder expertise, early customer traction, and scalable modular technology support an attractive growth opportunity.”
He added that LifeGlue stood out for its long-term potential in the life sciences sector. “LifeGlue is developing a scalable biomaterial platform with strong scientific foundations and broad application potential,” Goroško said. “Early validation and a clear value proposition position the company well for long-term impact and growth.”
BSV decided to invest up to €200,000 in LifeGlue, recognising the startup’s science-driven approach and its potential to deliver long-term impact in life sciences and regenerative medicine. BSV is an early-stage VC dedicated to developing the Deep Tech, Life Science and Dual-Use Tech ecosystem in the Baltics and Nordics.
According to Sandra Golbreich, General Partner at BSV, they were particularly impressed by the strength of the technology. She also highlighted that a female founder was seen as a strong and positive signal for the team and its long-term potential.
Swedbank awarded €10,000 in equity-free cash to BabAI Orbital. BabAI Orbital is developing onboard AI software that enables satellites to autonomously detect and avoid collisions in orbit, improving space safety even in situations where ground communication is delayed or unavailable.
In addition to the financial investments, a range of other awards were also presented at the sTARTUp Day Pitching competition.
Sorainen awarded a total of €10,000 in legal support to three startups. ImpactPCB received €5,000 to support the legal readiness of its chemical-free e-waste recycling technology as the company scales internationally. BabAI Orbital was awarded €3,000 to support the commercialisation of its onboard AI software for autonomous satellite collision avoidance. Thistle received €2,000 to advance the legal framework of its modular, AI-powered counter-UAS system designed to protect critical infrastructure from hostile drones.
TRINITI awarded pitch-deck legal proofing and up to €6,000 in legal support to three startups. ImpactPCB received support to prepare for further investment rounds. MindChip was awarded support for its AI-powered Artificial Captain technology enabling autonomous and robotic maritime vessels. EsaDres received legal support to strengthen its investment readiness as it develops personalised wound dressings for chronic wound treatment.
DataVie awarded a full-year GDPR Compliance Tool license, worth up to €5,000, to Valvur. Valvur is building an AI-powered safety layer that protects children from online scams, manipulation and unwanted in-game spending, while enabling safe and controlled digital transactions.
Values360Ventures awarded a year-long mentorship and advisory package, worth up to €120,000, to Praktikal. Praktikal is an integrated STEM education platform combining digital content, teacher training and hands-on experiment kits to make science learning tangible and engaging for students.
ImpactPCB is developing a chemical-free, deep-tech solution for electronic waste recycling, enabling the recovery of precious and critical metals through dry mechanical processing. The company already has revenue-generating operations and early customer traction, addressing a critical European challenge in resource security and circular economy.
LifeGlue is developing a scalable biomaterial platform for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The company’s clinically compatible bioink is built on strong scientific foundations and offers broad application potential, supporting the transition from laboratory research to real medical use.
According to Martin Goroško, one of the syndicate lead investors from EstBAN, the investment decisions were driven by clear market validation and long-term scalability. “ImpactPCB offers a validated, revenue-generating deep-tech solution for chemical-free e-waste recycling, addressing a critical EU resource challenge,” said Martin Goroško. “Strong founder expertise, early customer traction, and scalable modular technology support an attractive growth opportunity.”
He added that LifeGlue stood out for its long-term potential in the life sciences sector. “LifeGlue is developing a scalable biomaterial platform with strong scientific foundations and broad application potential,” Goroško said. “Early validation and a clear value proposition position the company well for long-term impact and growth.”
BSV decided to invest up to €200,000 in LifeGlue, recognising the startup’s science-driven approach and its potential to deliver long-term impact in life sciences and regenerative medicine. BSV is an early-stage VC dedicated to developing the Deep Tech, Life Science and Dual-Use Tech ecosystem in the Baltics and Nordics.
According to Sandra Golbreich, General Partner at BSV, they were particularly impressed by the strength of the technology. She also highlighted that a female founder was seen as a strong and positive signal for the team and its long-term potential.
Swedbank awarded €10,000 in equity-free cash to BabAI Orbital. BabAI Orbital is developing onboard AI software that enables satellites to autonomously detect and avoid collisions in orbit, improving space safety even in situations where ground communication is delayed or unavailable.
In addition to the financial investments, a range of other awards were also presented at the sTARTUp Day Pitching competition.
Sorainen awarded a total of €10,000 in legal support to three startups. ImpactPCB received €5,000 to support the legal readiness of its chemical-free e-waste recycling technology as the company scales internationally. BabAI Orbital was awarded €3,000 to support the commercialisation of its onboard AI software for autonomous satellite collision avoidance. Thistle received €2,000 to advance the legal framework of its modular, AI-powered counter-UAS system designed to protect critical infrastructure from hostile drones.
TRINITI awarded pitch-deck legal proofing and up to €6,000 in legal support to three startups. ImpactPCB received support to prepare for further investment rounds. MindChip was awarded support for its AI-powered Artificial Captain technology enabling autonomous and robotic maritime vessels. EsaDres received legal support to strengthen its investment readiness as it develops personalised wound dressings for chronic wound treatment.
DataVie awarded a full-year GDPR Compliance Tool license, worth up to €5,000, to Valvur. Valvur is building an AI-powered safety layer that protects children from online scams, manipulation and unwanted in-game spending, while enabling safe and controlled digital transactions.
Values360Ventures awarded a year-long mentorship and advisory package, worth up to €120,000, to Praktikal. Praktikal is an integrated STEM education platform combining digital content, teacher training and hands-on experiment kits to make science learning tangible and engaging for students.
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