Ganiga to Debut Waste-Sorting Robots at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Though recycling is widely recognized for its environmental advantages, statistics show that under 10% of global plastic waste actually gets recycled. Ganiga Innovation aims to increase this rate by deploying AI-powered robotic waste bins.

Italian startup Ganiga has developed three solutions to improve waste and recycling management. The first is a fleet of robotic bins, named Hoooly, that use generative AI to distinguish between trash and recyclables, sorting them appropriately. The second is a smart lid that can be installed on standard bins, offering the same intelligent sorting features as the larger units.

The company also offers a software platform that helps businesses monitor their waste output and provides data-driven recommendations to reduce waste generation.

Ganiga will showcase its technology in this year’s Startup Battlefield competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, held from October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West.

Founder and CEO Nicolas Zeoli shared with TechCrunch that he has long aspired to build a transformative company, inspired early on by giants like Facebook and Apple.

He chose to tackle waste management because the challenges are deeply felt in Italy—and because meaningful action was noticeably lacking.

“We all need to take ownership of this issue,” Zeoli emphasized. “After reading numerous reports, it became clear: over 100 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year, yet only 9% is recycled. This is a critical problem.”

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Connect with 10,000+ tech and venture capital leaders at Disrupt 2025

Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Hugging Face, Elad Gil, and Vinod Khosla are among 250+ influential speakers leading 200+ sessions packed with insights to accelerate startup success. Join the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch and learn from tech’s top minds—secure your pass before the event begins and save up to $444.

Zeoli founded Ganiga in 2021 and completed the first prototype in 2022. He explained that the team focused on designing a smart bin because it provides a physical, user-friendly point for proper waste sorting—and because it collects valuable data for future insights.

Waste management is also a costly challenge for businesses, Zeoli noted. With many organizations, especially in Europe, subject to ESG requirements, Hoooly aims to help companies better track waste, reduce output, and lower long-term disposal costs.

Ganiga began commercial sales of its bins in 2024 and has since delivered over 120 units to clients, including Google and major airports in Bologna, Venice, Madrid, and other cities.

In 2024, the company generated $500,000 in revenue, and within the first nine months of 2025, revenue climbed to $750,000.

To date, Ganiga has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding from backers such as clean tech VC NextSTEP and NextEnergy Capital. The startup is now preparing to raise a $3 million seed round.

The company plans to introduce its newest product in November: Hooolyfood. This software analyzes camera images to measure food waste quantities precisely. Zeoli added that future offerings will also be data-driven, building on the insights gathered from current bins and platforms.

Though Ganiga initially focused on Europe, Zeoli expressed interest in expanding into the U.S. market. The company is even considering relocating its headquarters to the United States in 2026.

“Ganiga is the first startup worldwide to fully equip an airport with smart bins,” Zeoli stated. “This is significant—we’re not just a prototype; we’re a market-ready product.”

To hear Ganiga's story live, catch dozens of startup pitches, attend expert workshops, and build valuable industry connections, visit our event page for more information on Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27–29 in San Francisco.