The Initiative for the Circular Economy is launching a new round of its Accelerator Programme. Founders from all over the world whose solutions can avoid emissions on a large scale and thus protect the climate and the environment can apply. One thing is already certain for the successful applicants: many hundreds of listeners.
Circular Valley wants to promote the transformation from a linear to a circular economy and promotes international start-ups. The next round of the Accelerator programme, this time with nine subject areas, starts in September. Applications can be submitted from now until 11 August. All start-ups must bring one thing with them: an idea that can prevent emissions in the order of billions of tonnes.
The successful applicants will come from all over the world to the extended Rhine-Ruhr region in autumn. High-calibre coaches and mentors will also work with them in Circular Valley like the initiative's partners from business, science, politics and civil society. The highlight of the funding programme will be the DemoDay on 16 November. The start-ups are sure to have a large audience, as the DemoDay is part of the Circular Valley Forum for the first time, where more than 1,000 decision-makers will come to talk about the circular economy.
The new round of the funding programme will be the fifth. Founders of more than 70 companies from five continents have been supported by Circular Valley over the past two years. They have Partnerships concluded with large companies and scientific institutions as well as significant progress for their business models.
Those wishing to join these Circular Valley start-ups should work on one of the following nine topics:
Alternative raw materials: Which materials can be used to replace previously used resources in such a way that the environment is less burdened? The focus is on solutions from the field of bioeconomy, both with regard to bio-based substances and biotechnological production methods.
Orchestration of the value chain: Of interest are methods and innovations to reduce or eliminate environmental impacts along the value chain, especially better packaging, smarter transport and reverse logistics for recyclables, starting with the consumer.
Recycling: This topic is independent of the industry. It is about sorting and recycling processes for all types of materials - ideally in the same quality.
Plastics: A special focus is on plastic because it currently has an enormous environmental impact when used and disposed of improperly. The spectrum of solutions being sought ranges from single-use plastics in packaging to high-performance polymers.
Sustainable building: This field deals with both renewable and non-renewable materials. The focus is on composite materials, the tracking and tracing of materials, the recycling of CO2 and resource-intensive materials and the reduction of consumption.
Capital goods: This area also covers a broad spectrum of products for industry. It ranges from systems for renewable energies to aeroplanes and computer tomographs. Particular attention is paid to products with a large footprint and components that are difficult to recycle.
Consumer goods: The start-ups should deal with disposable or used products and the question of how resources can be recovered for further use. Solutions for the automotive industry are also part of the consumer goods area.
Agriculture: Agriculture-related circular economy topics are the avoidance of negative environmental impacts in food production, losses in the value chain and the smart use of by-products or waste.
Water: Young companies that deal with water extraction, desalination, transport, utilisation or reuse of water can apply in this subject area.
Further information on the Circular Valley funding programme and the application documents are available at here.
Source: Circular Valley
