Mondi Matchmaker Program
Mondi’s Matchmaker program connects start-ups, scale-ups and innovative corporates with the right Mondi business for tailored collaborations and mutual growth. This year the program seeks start-ups especially for the following topics:
- Accelerating Shelf-Life Testing
- Engineering the Future of Zero-Waste E-Commerce
- Pursuing the Zero-Waste Production Frontier
Application deadline: April 7th 2026
Focus Areas
Accelerating Shelf-Life Testing
At Mondi, we are redefining the speed of innovation. Currently, the industry relies on shelf-life testing that can take up to a year, delaying the adoption of eco-friendly materials. To lead the way in PPWR compliance, we want to adopt digital simulation tools that predict oxygen and moisture barrier performance in a matter of hours/days.
We are looking for high-precision simulation solutions, to optimize barrier design for specific product recipes instantly. This ensures our packaging is never over-engineered or under-performing. We are also looking for a solution that can provide real-time transparency on CO2 footprints and cost-efficiency of our barrier designs.
Engineering the Future of Zero-Waste E-Commerce
As e-commerce continues to scale, Mondi is committed to eliminating the “box-within-a-box” inefficiency. We want to continue pioneering Ships in Own Container (SIOC) and are looking for innovative SIOC packaging solutions as well as other next level e-commerce designs that meet the rigorous standards of global e-retailers while fully complying with EU empty-space and waste reduction mandates.
Beyond material innovation, we also also looking for Packaging-as-a-Service or/and other reuse solutions that are helping our partners transition from a linear “take-make-waste” model to a high-performance circular ecosystem.
Pursuing the Zero-Waste Production Frontier
While we take pride in our high recycling rates, our ultimate ambition is the total preservation of resources. We want to focus our manufacturing processes to prioritize preventative waste reduction.
By addressing production side-streams—such as die-cutting residuals—at the source, we aim to eliminate the need for energy-intensive reprocessing. We are looking for solutions around waste reduction & precision production to ensure every fiber of our high-value material is used to its fullest potential.
Photos: freepik, prostooleh
How it works
Feedback& Exchange
PoCBudget
The top startups and projects will be further implemented and tested in a pilot project and you can go straight to work on implementation.
Partnership withMondi
Benefit from Mondi as a partner or customer and gain access to a global leader in the industry.
Who should apply?
Start-ups that meet the following criteria are invited to apply:
- You have a functional, innovative product.
- You already have customers or (pilot) projects in the packaging sector or similar industries
- You are driven by multidisciplinary teams, are ready to cooperate with Mondi and are motivated to build a solution together
How will applicants be selected?
Your application will be evaluated by a jury made up of Mondi experts. The jury will evaluate your application based on the following criteria:
- Level of innovation
- Sustainability and CO2 savings
- Need for the solution
- Feasibility in the coming year(s)
- Revenue or savings potential
Timeline
March 9
Start of application phase
April 7
Application deadline
May 12
Pitching session
June
Start of co-creation phase
Oct
Final presentation
Mondi Matchmaker Success Stories
traceless®
“Working with Mondi gives us the opportunity to scale our traceless® paper coating applications in a way we simply couldn’t do alone. With their technical expertise, industrial capabilities, and global reach, we’re able to bring our regenerative material into real-world applications—faster, and at a much larger scale. That’s what makes this partnership so valuable: it amplifies the impact we can have.”
– Dr. Anne Lamp
CEO & Co-Founder of traceless®
EWTechnology
“Through our collaboration, we gained critical industry knowledge, access to a broader market, and valuable connections that continue to benefit our business. Additionally, working with Mondi enhanced our credibility, which has been instrumental in establishing trust with new partners and customers. The experience also provided us with practical insights into working with large corporations, which is crucial for our long-term success.”
– Philipp Ertl
CEO of EWTechnology
Partners
Mondi is a leading global supplier of packaging and paper, contributing to a better world with innovative solutions that are sustainable by design.
Mondi’s 24,000 employees work at 100 production sites in more than 30 countries, with its main locations in Europe, North America and Africa. The company is united by a common goal, a comprehensive long-term strategy and strong values.
Mondi offers a uniquely broad range of innovative packaging and paper solutions. Its extensive expertise and strong track record of innovation enables it to help customers make smarter and more sustainable choices.
