Celebrating the Winners of the 2025 NextCycle Washington Pitch Showcase
NextCycle Washington continues to accelerate innovative ideas that strengthen the state’s circular economy. Funded by the Washington Department of Ecology, the Washington Recycling Market Development Center, and the Center for Sustainable Food Management, the accelerator supports projects that reuse, repair, recycle, or utilize recovered materials in new products. From transforming used solar panels into power systems for community gardens, to piloting kelp-based alternatives to plastic, the program is helping entrepreneurs turn creative solutions into real impact.
Sixteen entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses were selected to join the program’s third cohort. Over the course of six months, these teams received business mentoring, technical and marketing support, and connections with potential partners, suppliers, and funders. The program culminated with the 2025 Pitch Showcase on May 19, co-located with the Washington State Recycling Association annual conference.
At the Showcase, teams pitched their projects to a panel of judges and a live audience. Judges selected the “Best Pitch” award in each category, while attendees voted for the “People’s Choice” awards. In total, $33,000 was awarded to six teams across the categories of Innovation, Organics, and Reuse.
2025 SHOWCASE WINNERS
Diaper Stork
INNOVATION
Best Pitch: Diaper Stork
A Seattle-based diaper pick-up and delivery service piloting biochar pyrolysis to transform non-reusable diapers into valuable resources. diaperstork.com
People’s Choice: New Type Group
An Auburn public benefit corporation commercializing microplastic detection, biofiltration, and bioremediation technologies. newtypegroup.com
New Type Group
Bio Fiber Industries
ORGANICS
Best Pitch: Bio Fiber Industries
A Seattle start-up repurposing agricultural waste like hemp, hops, and cannabis stalks into high-performance construction materials and renewable energy. biofiberindustries.com
People’s Choice: OceanMade
A Seattle company producing plant pots from kelp and recycled organic fibers, addressing waste from single-use plastic containers. oceanmade.co
OceanMade
FanWagn
REUSE
Best Pitch: FanWagn
An Oregon-based platform enabling peer-to-peer resale of licensed sports apparel, extending product life and reducing textile waste. fanwagn.com
People’s Choice: Kimora Garden
A Spokane ecofriendly multi-vendor marketplace for upcyclers and thrifters, expanding into a brick-and-mortar space.
Kimora Garden
NextCycle Washington extends a big thank you to all 16 teams in this year’s cohort for their hard work and dedication, as well as to the sponsors and partners who make the program possible. Together, they are driving innovation and collaboration to keep valuable materials in use and out of the landfill.
