In October 2026, Trosort won the Cupido Prize at the Comeos Awards, held on 14 October. Trosort was also selected as one of three Belgian startups for the Fundtruck Grand Final in Paris on 26 November 2026. Both recognise SortMate, our solution that automates the sorting of second-hand clothing.
What we won, and why
SortMate registers each garment digitally, assesses it, prices it, and sends it to the best destination: resale, repair, upcycling or recycling. This work normally takes a lot of manual effort. SortMate is already running at customers in several countries.
The Comeos jury recognised a solution that combines technology, circularity and international scalability. Gino Van Ossel, chair of the jury, said DreamLand and Trosort look very different but tell the same story: successful retail today depends on constantly reinventing yourself. For DreamLand that means transforming a store chain. For Trosort it means technology that changes how a whole sector works.
What this means for Trosort
The prize comes from the retail sector itself, not only from the recycling world. Second-hand and circular models are becoming part of mainstream retail, and automation is what makes them work at scale. For our customers, it is one more sign that automated sorting is how second-hand becomes profitable at scale.
About the prizes
Comeos Awards. Comeos is the Belgian trade federation for commerce. Its 2026 awards highlighted innovation from three angles: established retailers (the Mercurius Prize, won by DreamLand), young technology companies (the Cupido Prize, won by Trosort), and new retail talent (the first Comeos Student Award, won by KU Leuven Antwerp students).
Fundtruck. Fundtruck is a pitch competition for startups looking for funding, organised by Maddyness. Founders get a few minutes, with no slides, to convince a jury and meet investors. In 2026, 15 Belgian startups took part. Three were selected for the Paris Grand Final: Nemesis, Trosort and Bio INX. The finalists also received wildcards from BAN Flanders and BeAngels for investor meetings. Wallonie Entreprendre supports Fundtruck in Belgium through EuroQuity.
Thank you
We are honoured by both recognitions and grateful to the people behind them. Thank you to Comeos and its jury for the Cupido Prize, and for recognising technology that supports circular retail. Thank you to Maddyness, BAN Flanders, BeAngels and Wallonie Entreprendre (through EuroQuity) for giving young companies a stage and a path to investors. And thank you to our team, customers and partners, who make SortMate work every day. We look forward to seeing you in Paris.
FAQ
What is the Comeos Cupido Prize?
It is the Comeos Awards prize for a young technology company, won in 2026 by Trosort.
Why did Trosort win?
The jury valued SortMate’s mix of technology, circularity and international scalability.
What is SortMate?
An automated solution that registers, assesses and prices second-hand garments, then routes them to resale, repair, upcycling or recycling.
What is Fundtruck?
A pitch competition for startups seeking investors, organised by Maddyness.
What happens next?
Trosort pitches at the Fundtruck Grand Final in Paris on 26 November 2026.
About Trosort
Trosort is a Belgian technology company based in Brussels. Its solution, SortMate, automates the sorting of second-hand clothing: each garment is digitally registered, assessed and priced, then routed to the best destination (resale, repair, upcycling or recycling). SortMate is already in use at customers in several countries.
