Industrial Infrastructure Challenge 2026

Retrofit, Capture, Automate: Engineering the Industrial Transition

Partner with global players

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About the Industrial Infrastructure Challenge

The Industrial Infrastructure Challenge 2026 offers startups and scale-ups the chance to work directly with industry leaders like ExxonMobil, Ontras and the Carbon Concrete Composite Cluster Saxony on real-world projects in hydrogen infrastructure, carbon management, and industrial automation. We are seeking solutions across several specific sub-challenges aimed at accelerating the energy transition. Apply to implement and develop your technology alongside these global players to transform legacy infrastructure.

Our Partners

Why you should apply

Win industry leaders as potential clients: The challenge focuses on finding solutions that lead to direct collaborative pilot projects with our partner companies.
Access to the SpinLab network — one of Europe’s top startup hubs.
Pitch to Experts & Investors: Showcase your innovation at the final pitch event to a jury of industry experts and potential partners.
Financial Support & Coaching: Receive financial support and professional coaching from the SpinLab team to prepare your solution for the market.
Seamless Application: Your application automatically qualifies you to apply for the next full SpinLab startup accelerator program.

We’re looking for innovative solutions in these sub challenge areas

TOPIC 1: Infrastructure Tranformation: Retrofitting & Modular Systems

The main goal is to transform existing infrastructure solutions and to accelerate the repurposing (retrofitting) process through standardized, modular components while maintaining the maximum safety and environmental protection.

Advanced internal coatings, high-precision leakage detection or non-destructive material testing for legacy pipelines

Integration of modular production units, modular compressor stations, modular network nodes, mobile measurement systems to allow for flexible grid adaptation and bidirectional operation.

Challenge-1_Pipeline

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TOPIC 2: CARBON REDUCTION, CAPTURE & MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE

The main objective of this sub-challenge is to lay the foundations for the infrastructure of future CO₂ value chains and to establish a closed-loop carbon economy that transforms emissions into industrial assets.

Next-generation Carbon Capture (CCU/S) technologies
specialized infrastructure for dense phase CO₂ transport (liquefied or gaseous)
Innovative "Carbon-to-X" utilization concepts

Topic 3: Advanced Construction Approaches

The main goal is to speed up infrastructure expansion through innovative construction methods and materials.

Modular infrastructure construction approaches
Deployment of autonomous and semi‑autonomous inspection tools like robots
Integration of Digital Twins for real-time asset monitoring
Augmented Reality (AR) solutions for remote maintenance by experts
Digital tools to address the global shortage of technical specialists through scalable digital support systems that empower human experts

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Topic 4: Fire-Proofing Carbon Construction

The main goal is to solve the critical fire safety bottleneck in carbon concrete construction by replacing or protecting heat-sensitive polymer resins to prevent structural failure during fires.

Non-combustible alternative matrix systems (e.g., mineral, geopolymer-based) or highly heat-resistant resins (> 300 °C)
Active or passive fire protection systems tailored for extremely thin carbon concrete elements
Smart concrete additives acting as advanced thermal insulators to prevent heat-induced spalling

Application requirements

Startups & Scale-ups who want to solve at least one sub-challenges with our company partners.
Open to global applicants with relevant projects or references.
In-person or Online-pitch on the Demo Day required on June 3, 2026 in Leipzig, Germany.

Got Questions?

Join our Q&A session on April 27 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. We’ll walk you through the application process and explain all the sub-challenges. Sign up here.

If you need a quick response, please contact:

Jonas Seifert

jonas@spinlab.co

Project Manager, Spinlab Group

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