Candam
Candam Technologies is a Barcelona-based smart-waste IoT company that builds the patented RecySmart device — using acoustic AI to identify users and characterize packaging materials at street-level bins — and serves municipalities, waste-management operators, and packaging producers in Spain, Portugal, and the UAE with hardware, software (Candam WI), and RAYT/PAYT/SDDR scheme services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersBarcelona, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Candam does
Candam Technologies S.L. is a Barcelona-based smart-waste technology company founded in 2017 that builds IoT-based systems for municipalities and waste-management operators to identify users and characterize packaging materials at street-level recycling bins. Its core product, the patented RecySmart Smart Ring, attaches to existing waste containers and uses acoustic sensing combined with proprietary AI algorithms to recognize PET bottles, cans, beverage cartons, and glass in real time, paired with barcode/QR/Data Matrix scanning as a verification layer. The RecySmart device underpins three scheme types the company implements — Reward as You Throw (RAYT), Pay as You Throw (PAYT), and Digital Deposit Refund Systems (SDDR) — and is complemented by the Candam WI cloud platform (real-time recycling indices, bin mapping, incident management, API access), a white-label Citizen App, and the Candam EcoMarket rewards marketplace connecting participating local businesses to recycling citizens.
The company monetizes through a mix of one-time hardware sales (RecySmart devices and Sensoneo fill-level sensors, for which Candam holds exclusive Iberian distribution), recurring software/platform fees (Candam WI, Citizen App), and professional services for scheme design and implementation. Its primary customers are municipal governments and waste-management companies in Spain, with named deployments in Madrid (11,100 Sensoneo sensors — Europe's largest smart-waste implementation), Guadalajara, Torrelavega, Elburgo, Mutriku, Sant Cugat, Higueruelas, and Mafra (Portugal), plus a first Middle East project at the University of Sharjah (UAE). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with 'Request a Demo' entry points, supplemented by strategic channel partnerships with URD Group/Winback (national Spain), ITGest/Bee2Solutions (Iberia + Africa), Sotkon (underground bins, Portugal), and others. The company has raised roughly €2.6M+ across 2023–2025 rounds from CDTI, EIT InnoEnergy, Sogrape Ventures, ENION, and Impact Ventures, and appointed Alessandra Marsaglia as CEO in 2025 succeeding co-founder Jordi Berguinzo.
Candam firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Candam
- Legal name
- CANDAM TECHNOLOGIES, S.L.
- Website
- https://candam.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Candam Technologies is a Barcelona-based smart-waste IoT company that builds the patented RecySmart device — using acoustic AI to identify users and characterize packaging materials at street-level bins — and serves municipalities, waste-management operators, and packaging producers in Spain, Portugal, and the UAE with hardware, software (Candam WI), and RAYT/PAYT/SDDR scheme services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Candam industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Waste Management Technology
- NAICS
- Waste Collection (56211)
- SIC
- Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Waste Management & Smart Sanitation (Facilities) (HSAPAPAM)
Keywords
Where Candam is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barcelona
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Candam business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- RecySmart Hardware Device Sales: Candam sells the RecySmart Smart Ring device and RecySmart Bin products to municipalities, waste management companies, and businesses. Devices are sold as one-time hardware purchases, with deployment and integration services bundled.
- Software Platform (Candam WI & Citizen App): Recurring software fees for access to the Candam WI waste intelligence platform and citizen mobile application, generating ongoing SaaS-like revenue from municipalities and local governments.
- Sensoneo Sensor & Platform Distribution: Candam acts as the Iberian distributor for Sensoneo smart waste sensors and the Smart Waste Management platform, generating revenue from sensor sales and platform subscriptions.
- SDDR/PAYT/RAYT Scheme Implementation: Professional services for designing and implementing Deposit Refund, Pay as You Throw, and Reward as You Throw schemes for municipalities, including system configuration, citizen app setup, and EcoMarket integration.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Candam product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Candam develops and sells IoT-based smart waste management technology centered on its patented RecySmart device — an AI-powered smart ring that attaches to existing waste bins to identify users and characterize packaging materials (PET, cans, cartons, glass) in real time using acoustic techniques combined with AI algorithms. The company also provides the Candam WI waste intelligence data platform, a citizen mobile app, and a rewards marketplace (EcoMarket), and distributes Sensoneo smart sensors in Iberia, enabling municipalities, waste management companies, and brands to deploy Reward-as-You-Throw, Pay-as-You-Throw, and Digital Deposit Refund schemes.
Product overview
Candam offers a modular smart waste management ecosystem centered on its patented RecySmart technology. The core product is the RecySmart Smart Ring—an IoT device that attaches to waste bins to identify users and characterize packaging materials in real time using acoustic AI. This is complemented by the Candam WI waste intelligence platform for data processing and reporting, the Citizen App for consumer engagement, and the Candam EcoMarket for reward management. Additionally, Candam provides Smart Waste Management solutions in partnership with Sensoneo, including fill-level sensors, asset management, and dynamic route optimization. The product portfolio supports multiple recycling schemes including Reward as You Throw (RAYT), Pay as You Throw (PAYT), and Deposit Refund Return Systems (DRS/SDDR), enabling municipalities and businesses to implement deposit schemes, incentivize recycling, and optimize waste collection operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RecySmart: Patented AI-powered smart ring device that transforms traditional waste containers into intelligent recycling bins, capable of identifying users and characterizing packaging materials in real-time.
- RecySmart Bin
- Candam WI (Waste Intelligence)
- Candam EcoMarket
Products and services
- RecySmart Smart Ring The core IoT device that transforms traditional waste bins into smart recycling containers. The patented Smart Ring uses acoustic techniques combined with AI algorithms to identify users and characterize packaging materials (PET, cans, cartons, glass) in real time, enabling Reward-as-You-Throw, Pay-as-You-Throw, and Digital Deposit Refund schemes. Sold to municipalities and waste management companies.
- RecySmart Bin A variant of the RecySmart solution designed specifically for deployment in bin/container environments, particularly for campsites, resorts, and public spaces. Includes an integrated reward system for citizen engagement.
- Candam WI (Waste Intelligence) A cloud-based waste intelligence platform that collects and processes data from RecySmart devices to generate real-time recycling reports, fill-level maps, incident management data, and service quality metrics for cities and waste management companies.
- Candam Citizen App A free mobile application for citizens to track their recycling impact, accumulate points, and redeem rewards at participating local businesses. Customizable as a white-label solution for municipalities or brands.
- Candam EcoMarket A digital marketplace platform where local businesses and brands can upload discounts and rewards for citizens who recycle. Free for merchants to participate, supporting local economy and digitalization.
- Sensoneo Smart Waste Management Solution Fill-level sensor technology and route optimization platform provided in partnership with Sensoneo. Includes asset management for containers, real-time monitoring, dynamic route planning, and citizen feedback management for cities and waste management operators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Increases packaging recycling rates up to 95%
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Candam
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Candam technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability5 records
Feature9 records
Candam partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ITGest / Bee2Solutions / Bee2Waste UrbancoreITGest and Candam signed a Strategic Alliance Protocol for joint Smart Waste Management market development in the Iberian Peninsula and Africa. The partnership enables integrated PAYT solutions by combining RecySmart with Bee2Waste Urban's complete waste management cycle platform. ITGest also provides sensor solutions at competitive costs. Signed by Pedro Meira (ITGest), Anselmo Bueno (ITGest Spain), and Jordi Berguinzo (Candam CEO).
- SotkoncoreSotkon, a Portuguese leader in underground waste containers, integrated RecySmart into its Sotkis DRS underground bin solution presented at Pollutec 2023. The partnership enables smart underground bins with RecySmart for light packaging and glass fractions, targeting 10+ markets with a focus on Portugal to support PERSU 2030 targets.
- URD Group / WinbackcoreURD Group, a global waste management technology provider with 20+ years of experience, signed an agreement through its Winback division to integrate Candam's RecySmart technology into its product portfolio. The partnership has two lines: (1) expanding URD Group's tech offerings for local authorities, and (2) providing national coverage for RecySmart across all Spanish regions. CEO Jordi Berguinzo signed the agreement with Ramón Roca and Xavier Piera of Winback.
- SensoneocoreCandam is the exclusive Iberian distributor for Sensoneo's smart waste sensors (fill-level, RFID, asset tracking) and Smart Waste Management platform. Sensoneo's solutions include dynamic route optimization for collection vehicles, validated across 400+ projects in 82 countries.
- Cyklos / Corporación CLDminorCyklos and Corporación CLD collaborated with Candam Tech to deploy RecySmart Bin at Camping & Resort Sangulí Salou, providing smart recycling infrastructure and reward system management for the hospitality sector.
- Smart To PeopleminorSmart To People collaborated with the Ayuntamiento de Higueruelas and Candam Tech on the pioneer recycling contest in the Valencian Community, contributing to campaign design and citizen engagement.
- Valoriza MedioambientecoreValoriza Medioambiente partnered with Candam on the CENTS4PACK project (LIFE programme) in Guadalajara, selecting RecySmart as the exclusive smart ring technology. Also part of the UTE awarded Madrid's waste collection service, where Sensoneo sensors supplied by Candam were deployed.
- Sociedade Ponto VerdecoreSociedade Ponto Verde, Portugal's packaging recovery organization, partnered with Candam on the Mafra municipality smart recycling project, deploying RecySmart technology in partnership with Tetra Pak.
- BEEAH GroupcoreBEEAH Group, a UAE sustainability and clean energy pioneer, partnered with Candam during COP28 to launch the first Middle East smart recycling project at the University of Sharjah. BEEAH Group's Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) support was fundamental to winning the Access Sharjah Challenge.
- Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa)minorSheraa supported Candam's Access Sharjah Challenge win and Middle East launch, providing entrepreneurship ecosystem backing in the UAE.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Candam competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sensoneo: Bratislava-based smart waste sensor and route-optimization provider. Candam is Sensoneo's exclusive Iberian distributor, so the two share product DNA (smart waste monitoring for municipalities) and compete indirectly wherever Sensoneo sells direct outside Iberia.
- WasteHero: Denmark-based provider of fill-level sensors and smart waste management software for cities and waste haulers. Highly comparable to Candam's Sensoneo-distributed offering and its broader smart-bin/waste-intelligence positioning.
- Compology: US-based smart waste monitoring platform using cameras and AI in dumpsters to track fill levels and contamination. Comparable to Candam in applying IoT + AI to municipal and hauler waste operations.
- Enevo: Finland-headquartered smart waste sensor and analytics provider serving municipalities and waste haulers globally. Direct peer to Candam's fill-level sensor and route-optimization capabilities.
- Bigbelly: US maker of smart, sensor-equipped solar-compactor waste and recycling stations for public spaces, campuses, and cities. Comparable to RecySmart Bin's public-space recycling deployments at hotels, resorts, and universities.
Broad incumbents
- TOMRA: Norwegian global leader in reverse vending machines and collection-sorting technology for deposit-return schemes. Competes with Candam's SDDR offering and dominates the RVM category Candam positions against on cost.
- Envipco Holding: European reverse vending machine and deposit-return solutions provider. Competes with RecySmart in the SDDR/DRS market where municipalities must choose between RVM infrastructure and Candam's bin-attach approach.
- Urbaser: Spain-headquartered global environmental services and waste management operator. A potential large customer or competitor for smart waste technology integration across municipal contracts.
Others
- Ecoembes: Spanish packaging recovery organization (PRO) responsible for light packaging recycling compliance. Ecosystem counterpart rather than direct competitor; funds and validates municipal recycling technology like Candam's.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde: Portuguese packaging recovery operator and direct Candam partner on the Mafra project. Comparable ecosystem participant rather than technology peer; shapes the regulatory and funding context for SDDR/RAYT adoption in Portugal.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Candam social profiles
Digital presenceCandam financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Candam leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Candam funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds10 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Candam M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Candam
What does Candam do?
Candam develops and sells IoT-based smart waste management technology centered on its patented RecySmart device — an AI-powered smart ring that attaches to existing waste bins to identify users and characterize packaging materials (PET, cans, cartons, glass) in real time using acoustic techniques combined with AI algorithms. The company also provides the Candam WI waste intelligence data platform, a citizen mobile app, and a rewards marketplace (EcoMarket), and distributes Sensoneo smart sensors in Iberia, enabling municipalities, waste management companies, and brands to deploy Reward-as-You-Throw, Pay-as-You-Throw, and Digital Deposit Refund schemes.
Is Candam a public or private company?
Candam is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Candam founded?
Candam was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Candam based?
Candam is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Candam make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. RecySmart Hardware Device Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Platform (Candam WI & Citizen App), sensoneo Sensor & Platform Distribution and SDDR/PAYT/RAYT Scheme Implementation.
Who are Candam's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sensoneo, WasteHero, Compology, Enevo and Bigbelly. Broad incumbents are TOMRA, Envipco Holding and Urbaser. Others are Ecoembes and Sociedade Ponto Verde.
Does Candam have an API?
No public API is recorded for Candam.
What industry is Candam in?
Candam's product category is Smart Waste Management Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAPAPAM, Waste Management & Smart Sanitation (Facilities). Its NAICS code is 56211 and its SIC code is 4950.