Borro Raises $1.4M for Smart Cup Deposit System

Jan de Vries · 2026-05-28

A Brussels-based startup is making waves in the fight against single-use waste. Borro, which offers a digital deposit system for reusable cups, just secured $1.4 million in funding. The company plans to use this cash to expand into the Netherlands, Germany, and France this summer. This investment round was backed by Seeder Fund, imec.istart, bluesnipe, PMV, and butterfly & elephant (the corporate venture arm of GS1 Germany). Back in November 2024, Borro had already raised $380,000 in its initial funding. ### Why This Matters for Events If you've been to a big concert or a stadium game lately, you've probably noticed the shift toward reusable cups. It's not just a trend—it's becoming a real operational challenge for organizers. European regulations are pushing this change, but many venues still struggle to find a system that's both easy for visitors and practical for staff. Borro's approach is refreshingly simple. Instead of relying on clunky tokens or RFID tags, they link each cup directly to your bank card. You grab a drink, pay a small deposit, and when you return the cup to a smart collection point, you get your money back automatically. No fuss, no lost tokens. ### How the Tech Works The company's system uses invisible codes that cameras can read. Co-founder Glenn Verhaege explained why they skipped RFID: "We deliberately decided not to use RFID technology like many other systems. We wanted to build a solution that's simpler and more affordable. That's why we developed an alternative based on invisible codes that can be read through cameras. We're happy that we've now been able to prove that this also works at scale." This approach keeps costs down and makes the system easier to deploy. Each cup is uniquely tied to a payment, so there's complete traceability. The cups are worthless until linked to a real transaction, which helps prevent fraud. ### Real-World Impact Borro is already making a difference at Belgian football clubs like Club Brugge and KV Mechelen. They report that millions of reusable cups have been processed through their system. That's a lot of waste avoided. Recently, Borro joined PSG Labs, the innovation program of Paris Saint-Germain based at Station F. They're now preparing to roll out the system at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. Interest is also growing from concert venues, amusement parks, and festivals. ### What's Next Co-founder Kasper Albers shared their vision: "The funding will be used to further strengthen our team and accelerate our growth across Europe. We see the same challenges around reuse emerging everywhere. Our ambition is to make Borro the European reference for digital deposit systems." With this fresh capital, Borro is poised to become a key player in the sustainable events space. If you're planning a large event or managing a venue, this is a system worth watching. - **Funding**: $1.4 million raised for European expansion - **Key Investors**: Seeder Fund, imec.istart, bluesnipe, PMV, and butterfly & elephant - **Tech**: Camera-readable invisible codes, not RFID - **Current Clients**: Club Brugge, KV Mechelen, and soon Paris Saint-Germain