AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin has announced the winner of the 2026 Circular Austin Showcase, a pitch competition for local circular businesses focused on reuse and zero waste.
Circular business models reduce the need to extract new resources by keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible.
A judging panel selected Pickle Envy as this year’s $10,000 Showcase winner after pitches from four finalists at the May 14 event. Pickle Envy produces deli-style pickles, sauerkrauts, and other fermented foods using locally grown vegetables—often “seconds” and surplus crops that would otherwise go to waste. The company aims to reduce food waste while offering a nutrient-rich alternative through fermented products.
Co-founder Libby Goldman said the recognition is meaningful for the small business.
“It really means a lot as a small business owner,” Goldman said. “We don’t have venture capital or investors or anything like that. Getting this financial support from the City is really going to help Pickle Envy get to the next level, so I am overjoyed.”
In the Accelerator track, Regenysys won the $2,000 prize. Led by chemist August Longo, the company is developing a circular alternative to Styrofoam that can be broken down and regenerated through a low-energy process.
The Circular Austin Accelerator helps entrepreneurs refine circular business ideas through a multi-week program. Judges evaluated entries based on business viability, environmental impact, innovation, economic impact, and social impact.
Other Showcase finalists included FitDel, which offers fitness equipment rentals to reduce waste; That’s Sew Austin, a shared sewing studio focused on textile repair and reuse; and Wanderlust Wine Co., which uses sustainable practices such as kegged wine to reduce emissions and packaging waste.
Accelerator finalists also included Curated Thrift, a personal styling service using secondhand goods; R3grnd’s CircularSync receptacle, designed to improve recycling efficiency; and ReImajin.It, a fashion brand that upcycles discarded textiles into new products.
The Circular Austin Showcase connects local investors with circular economy entrepreneurs. The program is a partnership between Austin Resource Recovery and Austin Economic Development and aims to reduce waste while supporting sustainable business growth.
Austin Resource Recovery Director Richard McHale said the event highlighted a wide range of circular business models.
“That diversity demonstrates how circular business models can show up where you may least expect them,” McHale said. “Austin needs businesses like these to succeed for our community to reach our zero waste goal.”
Austin Economic Development Assistant Director Ann Eaton said the program reflects a shift toward more efficient economic growth.
“These businesses are proving that reducing waste isn’t a limitation, it’s a competitive advantage that drives innovation and opens new pathways for scaling,” Eaton said. “Austin is leaning into that model, and it’s positioning our economy to lead in the next era of business.”
Judges for the event included Alina Sanchez, founder of Accelerating Purpose; Bart Bohn, partner at ATP; Jeff Blickman, director at Palm Venture Studios; and Nancy Lyon, director of the Austin Community College Bioscience Incubator.
