MIWA
MIWA Technologies operates a B2B reusable packaging-as-a-service platform using NFC-enabled capsules, smart electronic dispensers, and a mobile app, serving retailers and manufacturers across Europe with refill systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersPraha, Czechia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MIWA does
MIWA Technologies, a.s. is a privately held Czech company founded circa 2015 in Prague that operates a B2B Reusable Packaging-as-a-Service platform designed to replace single-use packaging in retail and food distribution. The company serves retailers, manufacturers, roasteries, offices, and hospitality customers across the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, and (in early preparation) Japan, with active pilots running in roughly 28 stores. Its core product, the MIWA Module, integrates three proprietary components: a 12-litre NFC-chip-equipped reusable B2B capsule rated for at least 300 reuse cycles, a cloud-connected smart electronic dispenser that reads product information and controls dispensing, and a smart consumer cup with integrated NFC traceability, all managed through iOS and Android mobile applications supporting Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Stripe payments.
Revenue is generated through a subscription-based Packaging-as-a-Service model billed annually to B2B customers, supplemented by one-time fees for smart consumer cups and per-transaction consumer activity through the MIWA app and Smart Reuse loyalty program. The company is pre-scale: it employs 11-50 people, has not publicly disclosed revenue, and has built its runway primarily on non-dilutive EU grant funding (multiple OPPIK Innovation Vouchers from 2016-2019), an EIC Accelerator grant-plus-equity award in December 2021 (with ~$5.75M in identified EIC tranches through 2023), a 2019 Tilia Impact Ventures grant, and a 2023 EIB Institute SITolarship. Notable customers and partners include REWE and dm drogerie markt in Germany, Albert Heijn in the Netherlands, Mars in pet food, Pact Group for global manufacturing scale, and ISHIDA for the Japanese market, with recognition from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017), Solar Impulse Foundation (2020), and European Innovation Council (2021).
MIWA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MIWA
- Legal name
- MIWA Technologies, a.s.
- Website
- https://miwa.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MIWA Technologies operates a B2B reusable packaging-as-a-service platform using NFC-enabled capsules, smart electronic dispensers, and a mobile app, serving retailers and manufacturers across Europe with refill systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where MIWA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Praha
- HQ country
- Czechia
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
MIWA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | B2B Reusable Packaging-as-a-Service subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Smart Consumer Cup |
MIWA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MIWA develops and operates a technology-based reusable/refill packaging system built around three integrated components: reusable 12-litre B2B capsules (designed for at least 300 reuse cycles), smart electronic dispensers connected to a cloud platform, and NFC-enabled smart consumer cups. The system enables retailers, manufacturers, roasteries, and offices to distribute food, pet food, and personal care products without single-use packaging, with full traceability of every container through the supply chain.
Product overview
MIWA offers a platform-plus-modules architecture for reusable and refillable packaging. The MIWA Module is the integrated core that combines Reusable B2B Capsules, the Smart Electronic Dispenser, and the Smart Consumer Cup into a connected refill ecosystem. Consumers interact through the MIWA Mobile App (which supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Stripe-based payment for the Smart Reuse program), while Minimum Waste is the sub-brand that surfaces MIWA's waste-reduction messaging. The system is currently deployed with retail partners including dm drogerie markt and REWE in Germany, and has been rolled out to the Japanese market.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Minimum Waste: Café and consumer brand of products sold exclusively in reusable packaging; operates a café in Prague (Zlatnická 12) and an e-shop where loyalty points from MIWA app can be redeemed.
- Smart Reuse
Products and services
- Reusable B2B Capsules
- Smart Electronic Dispenser
- Smart Consumer Cup
- MIWA Module
- MIWA Mobile App
- Smart Reuse Programme Circularity programme and brand that tracks reuse cycles, transportation distances, expiration dates, and refill frequency to verify and reward sustainability outcomes for participating products and consumers.
- Minimum Waste (Café and E-shop) MIWA sub-brand operating a café in Prague (Zlatnická 12) and an e-shop selling consumer products exclusively in reusable packaging, with loyalty point redemption through the MIWA mobile app.
- Kiosk for Offices Office-focused MIWA module deployment enabling packaging-free purchase of food, personal care, and other daily-use products in workplace settings.
Companies that use MIWA
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles5 records
MIWA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
MIWA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major.
- dm (drogerie markt)majorPilot project deploying MIWA reusable containers in 15 dm stores across Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse in Germany. Partnership launched March 11, 2024.
- ISHIDAmajorPartnership for the Japanese market, introduced MIWA at Supermarket Trade Show (SMTS) in Chiba, Japan. Focused on sustainable retail solutions.
- REWEmajorOne of Germany's largest retail chains. 11 REWE stores across Germany offering MIWA's reusable packaging system. Pilot project to introduce reusable containers in retail.
- Albert HeijnmajorTwo Albert Heijn stores in the Netherlands deployed MIWA modules in their locations to combat disposable packaging.
- MarsmajorPartnership to test and roll out MIWA modules in pet food retail.
- Pact GroupmajorGlobal packaging giant - partnership to scale MIWA's reusable packaging globally.
- Solar Impulse FoundationmajorBertrand Piccard, founder of Solar Impulse Foundation, selected MIWA as one of 1000+ profitable solutions to environmental challenges. MIWA was selected as one of the SIF solutions in October 2020.
- Ellen MacArthur FoundationmajorLeading institution in circular economy transition. MIWA is an active EMF Member and was recognized as a finalist.
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MIWA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Algramo: Chilean-headquartered B2B reusable-packaging-as-a-service provider offering refill systems for FMCG products in retail. Closest direct analog to MIWA's modular, IoT-traced refill architecture and is now expanding into Europe.
- Loop (TerraCycle): Reusable packaging platform operated with major FMCG brands and retailers (Tesco, Carrefour, Kroger). Competes with MIWA for retailer mindshare and shelf-space in the reusable-packaging category.
- Repurpose: UK-based reusable food container service for takeaway and foodservice, with smart-cup and container return infrastructure. Direct competitor in the reusable-cup/closed-loop space MIWA targets.
- CupClub: Reusable cup-as-a-service platform with IoT-tracked cups and logistics partnerships with retailers and coffee chains. Closely comparable operating model to MIWA's NFC-instrumented smart consumer cup.
- Vessel: Reusable cup service for corporate offices and food service venues in the US. Comparable cup-tracking, reverse-logistics, and B2B subscription model to MIWA's smart consumer cup business.
- Stalk Market: US reusable to-go container service for restaurants and campuses, using QR-coded containers tracked through a return network. Overlapping technology and B2B reusable-packaging model.
- DeliverZero: Reusable takeout container platform with restaurant-network returns in the US Northeast. Similar closed-loop, container-as-a-service economics to MIWA's B2B capsule business.
- Bare®: Asia-Pacific reusable cup and container service (BarePack) targeting cafes and quick-service restaurants. Comparable in technology, customer type, and subscription model to MIWA's smart cup / retail dispenser.
Others
- Pact Group: Global rigid plastics and packaging manufacturer and MIWA's strategic scale-up partner. Comparable in packaging category, and partnership directly couples Pact's manufacturing scale to MIWA's reuse model.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Leading circular-economy institution; MIWA is a member and EMF prize winner. EMF shapes the regulatory and corporate-procurement environment that drives demand for MIWA's reusable-packaging solutions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MIWA social profiles
Digital presenceMIWA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
MIWA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MIWA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
MIWA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MIWA 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 MIWA
What does MIWA do?
MIWA develops and operates a technology-based reusable/refill packaging system built around three integrated components: reusable 12-litre B2B capsules (designed for at least 300 reuse cycles), smart electronic dispensers connected to a cloud platform, and NFC-enabled smart consumer cups. The system enables retailers, manufacturers, roasteries, and offices to distribute food, pet food, and personal care products without single-use packaging, with full traceability of every container through the supply chain.
Is MIWA a public or private company?
MIWA is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was MIWA founded?
MIWA was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MIWA based?
MIWA is headquartered in Praha, Czechia, in the Europe region.
Who are MIWA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Algramo, Loop (TerraCycle), Repurpose, CupClub, Vessel, Stalk Market, DeliverZero and Bare®. Others are Pact Group and Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Does MIWA have an API?
No public API is recorded for MIWA.