en.Wedoany.com Reported - At the Futurebuild 2026 event, construction technology company Madaster was named the winner of the "Big Innovation Pitch" award for its intelligent platform, which aims to help buildings transition from waste streams to resource hubs, driving the circular economy.
Madaster has created an online marketplace for second-hand materials called Madaster Match, modeled after platforms like Vinted. This urban mining tool connects demolition companies with construction firms to recover assets that might otherwise be discarded during renovation projects. The tool is already in practical use in 德国 and the Netherlands and is considered a game-changer in the circular real estate and 基础设施 sectors.
Madaster CEO Martijn Oostenrijk said: "This award recognizes some of the latest and smartest solutions addressing challenges in the built environment. We are proud to be part of it and deeply honored to have ultimately prevailed among many strong competitors."
The shortlisted nominees were selected by Dr. Olli Jones, Head of Sustainability at multidisciplinary consultancy Cundall—a well-known industry figure, academic, and advocate for net-zero futures. In addition to Madaster, he also invited Switchable Insulation and earth4Earth Technology Ltd to present their achievements. Switchable Insulation showcased a climate-adaptive external wall insulation system that dynamically switches between insulation and cooling modes to offset excessive summer heat. earth4Earth presented its "carbon-capture bricks," inspired by Fujian Tulou—a traditional Chinese raw earth architectural form known for its sustainability and energy efficiency.
Joining Olli in judging the winning entries were Richard Haworth, Commercial Director at Saint Gobain; Martin Fahey, Head of Sustainability at Mitsubishi Electric; and My Linh Nguyen, co-founder and COO of Agreka Build, last year's "Big Innovation Pitch" winner. Since winning in 2025, Agreka Build has secured additional funding and won its first bid supported by DESNZ, DEFRA, and Innovate UK—a typical example of the platform Futurebuild and the "Big Innovation Pitch" provide for startups committed to supporting net-zero construction and pioneering regenerative building solutions.
Martin Hurn, Event Director at Futurebuild, said that the companies participating in the "Big Innovation Pitch" are not just presenting grand ideas or vague concepts but are practical solutions addressing the industry's most pressing issues. He noted that this year's shortlisted nominees were truly inspiring, and it is meaningful to give these entrepreneurs the opportunity to connect with decision-makers who may bring these far-reaching innovations into the mainstream in the near future.
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