StartUs Magazine

Concrete is the world’s most used material after water and plays a fundamental role in building the sustainable world of tomorrow. At the same time, the cement and concrete industry is working to accelerate its journey to net zero. That transformation will require new technologies, new partnerships, and new ways of bringing innovation into real-world industrial environments.

Emerging decarbonization technologies often stall because traditional insurance markets lack the data and tools to price their risks. If a project can’t be insured, it can’t be financed. And if it can’t be financed, it can’t scale. To bridge this critical gap, InnSure has officially opened applications for the Decarbonization Risk Management Prize.

Looking to scale your startup while keeping infrastructure costs predictable and your data secure? The OVHcloud Startup Program 2026 supports startups building digital products on scalable cloud infrastructure — without taking any equity. With up to €100,000 in cloud credits in Europe and up to $150,000 CAD in Canada, plus expert technical guidance and ecosystem visibility, OVHcloud helps startups scale confidently on their own terms.

The Blue Ridge Regional Resilience Challenge 2026 is a competitive innovation program launched by RISE to identify, fund, and pilot solutions that address multi-hazard resilience in real community settings.

Amcor Lift-Off is an open-call initiative that supports seed-stage start-ups developing innovative packaging solutions and related technologies. Through the initiative, startups have the chance to secure funding, collaborate on R&D, or launch a commercial pilot with Amcor. Amcor is the global leader in developing and producing responsible consumer packaging for nutrition, health, beauty, and wellness categories.

Iberdrola is a world leader in clean energy, operating over 5,000 MW of installed photovoltaic capacity in Spain. Maintaining this vast network requires rigorous inspections to ensure reliability and safety. Currently, these inspections are performed manually – teams walk through sprawling, remote solar fields with handheld thermal cameras, often covering tens of kilometers over several days or weeks.

Relying on US-based cloud providers can present challenges around data sovereignty and compliance for startups operating in privacy-sensitive sectors. OVHcloud offers a distinctly European alternative. Your data remains fully protected under GDPR and is not subject to the US CLOUD Act. This foundation of trust is increasingly critical when working with enterprise clients or expanding within the EU.

The RISE Riverine Community Resilience Challenge II, backed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), invites startups with innovative solutions to address critical flood resilience issues. This challenge targets solutions that are capable of significantly improving disaster preparedness and recovery in flood-vulnerable regions across Western Virginia.

Iberdrola is a global leader in energy that employs over 41 000 people and collaborates with more than 22 000 suppliers worldwide. The company operates extensive electricity infrastructure with over 400 000 substations across the US, Brazil, the UK, and Spain. It also maintains more than 260 000 km of power lines in Spain alone.

Innovation in construction materials has long been hindered by limited access to industry infrastructure, regulatory complexities, and slow adoption cycles. The GCCA, a global association representing 40+ leading cement and concrete companies, is breaking these barriers by offering startups direct access to real-world testing environments, mentorship, and commercialization pathways.