Borro
Bank-card deposit system for reusable cups with automatic refunds
Borro runs a digital deposit system in which a reusable cup is linked to the visitor's bank card at purchase and the deposit is refunded automatically when the cup is dropped at a smart collection point. Cups carry invisible camera-readable codes rather than RFID chips, giving per-cup traceability and fraud prevention. The system is used at Club Brugge and KV Mechelen and is being prepared for Parc des Princes in Paris.
Our reading. Best for stadiums, festivals and high-volume venues that want reusable cups with automatic refunds and no visitor app.
Strengths
- No app or registration for the visitor
- Per-cup traceability with camera-readable codes, no RFID cost
- Backed by GS1 Germany's venture arm and imec.istart
Limits
- Currently deployed mainly at stadiums and large venues
- Requires smart collection points on site
- Pricing on quote
Founded 2023, €1.65M raised, live at Belgian stadiums and expanding to NL, DE and FR in 2026
Millions of cups processed at Club Brugge and KV Mechelen; joined PSG Labs for a Parc des Princes rollout; founders Glenn Verhaege, Kasper Albers and Niels Willems
- https://www.eu-startups.com/2026/05/brussels-based-borro-bags-e1-3-million-to-expand-digital-deposit-system-for-reusable-cups-across-europe/
- https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/borro-reusable-cup-scale-europe.html