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CirculaRise Accelerator: Enabling and Scaling Social Businesses
The CirculaRise Accelerator supports growth stage social businesses to develop and scale inclusive circular solutions. Through our CirculaRise Accelerator Framework, we guide entrepreneurs in bridging the gap between economic viability, environmental responsibility and social impact and enable them to implement validated circular social business models.
The Problem
We are facing a complex environmental crisis driven by unsustainable consumption, resource depletion, and rising waste production. A fundamental shift in business practices is urgently needed. Transitioning to a circular economy is essential, but to be effective and equitable, it must also be inclusive.
Social businesses are at the forefront of this transition, combining entrepreneurial drive with a mission to create social and environmental impact alongside profit. But even as key drivers of change, many face persistent barriers: limited resources, difficulty reaching customers, and the challenge of balancing impact with financial sustainability.
Our Solution
The CirculaRise Accelerator empowers social businesses to lead the transition to a more sustainable economy. We support entrepreneurs to innovate within the circular economy, measure and communicate their impact, and secure the strategic partnerships needed to implement and scale their solutions.
Key Components of the CirculaRise Accelerator
6-Month program + additional support
- 6 months accelerator program of structured coaching and training
- Additional 6 months of on-demand support tailored to your needs
- Life-long community with access to ongoing opportunities
Blended Learning
- Group trainings and expert-led masterclasses
- Personalised coaching and learning journey
- Peer-to-peer exchange and collaborative learning
Knowledge, Network and Visibility
- Practical toolboxes, publications, and reports
- Access to a growing alumni and partner network
- Networking events and demo day
.
Who Can Participate and Collaborate in the Accelerator?



Circular Social Businesses
- Join training sessions and expert-led masterclasses
- Receive personalised coaching and tailored support
- Learn from peers and network with partners, customers, and investors
Funders and Investors
- Discover social businesses with tested solutions
- Explore impact-proven investment opportunities
- Co-develop investment approaches suited for holistic impact
Partners
- Collaborate with circular innovators and social entrepreneurs
- Engage in knowledge exchange and ecosystem building
- Co-create and scale inclusive circular solutions
Are you an investor or would like to partner up to drive forward the socio-ecological transformation in Germany? Get in touch with us to engage in knowledge exchange, co-create circular social solutions and formats, and become part of a wider social and environmental impact network.
Now Accepting Applications: CirculaRise Accelerator in Germany
We are accepting applications for our next CirculaRise Accelerator cohort in Germany! This fully funded program is designed for established social businesses with circular solutions that are ready to scale.
- Application deadline: 20 October 2025
- Program Kick-off: 20 January 2026
The program is designed to help you strengthen your circular strategy, improve customer readiness and scale your impact while staying grounded in financial sustainability. Over the course of six months, selected teams will receive personalised coaching, attend expert-led trainings and engage in peer learning with like-minded entrepreneurs. An on-demand 6-month support phase is available after the core program, tailored to your evolving needs.
Applications close
20 October 2025
Applications results
Beginning of November
Kick-off event
20 January 2026
Training & coaching
January - June
Demo Day
June 2026
On-demand support
July - December
Final networking event
The program takes place online, with two in-person events: the kick-off event and the Demo Day.
Eligibility:
- Registered in Germany
- Circular or transitioning toward circularity
- Committed to social and environmental impact
- Two team members available to participate (time commitment: 8–10 hours/month in total)
CirculaRise Accelerator Alumni
Get to know the social businesses we have supported in Germany.

- Sector: Sustainable Agriculture and Processing
- Location: Oberhaching, Germany
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain and Resource Recovery & Recycling

- Sector: Software Development, Waste Management
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Circular strategy: Product Life Extension and Resource Recovery & Recycling

- Sector: Interior Design
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Circular strategy: Product Life Extension and Resource Recovery & Recycling

- Sector: Retail, Fashion and Design
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain

- Sector: Waste Management
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Circular strategy: Resource Recovery & Recycling

- Sector: Fashion and Design
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain & Product-as-a-Service

- Sector: Waste Management
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Circular strategy: Product Life Extension and Resource Recovery & Recycling
Get to know the social businesses we have supported in Kenya.
- Sector: Basic Services, Water & Sanitation
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain and Product Life Extension
- Sector: Agribusiness
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain
- Sector: Agribusiness
- Location: Nyeri, Kenya
- Circular strategy: Resource Recovery & Recycling and Product Life Extension
- Sector: Manufacturing & Retail
- Location: Laikipia, Kenya
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain
- Sector: Manufacturing & Retail
- Location: Taita Taveta, Kenya
- Circular strategy: Resource Recovery & Recycling
- Sector: Manufacturing & Retail
- Location: Machakos, Kenya
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain
- Sector: Hospitality & Tourism
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain and Resource Recovery & Recycling
Inspiring Stories From Program Participants
Photos by Yunus Environment Hub and Pexels