Plasticpreneur: A Startup Turning Trash into Tools

In a small Austrian workshop, amidst piles of shredded plastic, a quiet revolution was beginning. 
Sinan Kitagenda, a young innovator with Ugandan-Austrian roots, had a big idea:
What if recycling could be local, hands-on, and accessible to anyone—anywhere? 

The problem was clear. Plastic waste was everywhere, especially in regions lacking industrial recycling systems. But the solutions? Either too expensive, too complicated, or too centralised to create a meaningful impact at a grassroots level. 

So Sinan and a small team rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The result was Plasticpreneur—a social impact startup that builds small-scale, modular recycling machines that turn plastic waste into new products, right on the spot. 

“We didn’t want to just clean up plastic,” Sinan explains. “We wanted to turn it into opportunity.” 

Building machines, unlocking potential 

From injection moulders to desktop granulators, each Plasticpreneur machine is designed to be portable, affordable, and safe, making it possible for anyone—students, entrepreneurs, artisans—to create useful products from plastic waste. It’s like a mini factory in a box. 

And these machines aren’t just prototypes. Today, Plasticpreneur’s equipment has reached over 95 countries, enabling hundreds of micro-workshops, schools, and NGOs to launch local recycling initiatives. From Uganda to India, Kenya to the Philippines, they are empowering communities to not only manage waste—but to build businesses from it. 

A creative breakthrough 

In 2022, Plasticpreneur's journey took a dramatic leap forward when they were selected to represent Austria at the Creative Business Cup Global Finals in Copenhagen.

They won. And the world took notice. 

Beating out over 80 national winners, Plasticpreneur was crowned the Global Winner, praised for their unique blend of engineering, design thinking, and social entrepreneurship. 

The win brought more than just a trophy. It unlocked partnerships, visibility, and access to a global network of investors and ecosystem builders. Soon after, they were invited to the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum in Bahrain, speaking alongside world leaders and innovators. 

“The Creative Business Cup was a game-changer,” Sinan reflects. “It validated our mission—and connected us to a global stage.” 

From bootstrapped to backed 

What began as a self-funded project evolved into a startup with serious backing. Plasticpreneur secured seed investment from Erema Group, a leading recycling tech firm, along with support from Accent Gründerservice and Austria’s Greenstart accelerator. 

This early capital helped them scale production, expand their global network, and certify their machines with CE standards—making them export-ready and legally safe for educational and industrial use across Europe and beyond. 

More than a machine 

Plasticpreneur isn’t just about recycling. It’s about agency. About empowering people to create value from what others throw away. 

In Uganda, former waste pickers now run their own micro-factories. In European schools, students learn how sustainability meets product design. In refugee camps, Plasticpreneur kits offer both livelihood and purpose.