Yunus Environment Hub Impact Report 2023 Published

Share this article

CirculaRise Accelerator

Enabling and Scaling Circular 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 patterns, resource depletion, and increasing waste production. The need for a fundamental shift in business practices has never been more urgent. Transitioning to a circular economy is critical to mitigating this crisis but for this transition to be truly effective and equitable, it must also be inclusive. Social businesses play a particularly pioneering role here as they focus their business activities on creating positive social and environmental impact alongside profit, and should be at the forefront of this transition.

Our Solution

The CirculaRise Accelerator aims to empower social businesses to innovate within the circular economy, measure and communicate their social and environmental impact, and secure the strategic partnerships needed to implement and scale their circular solutions.

Key Components of the CirculaRise Accelerator

12-month Program

  • 6 months of coaching and training
  • 6 months of on-demand and individualised support


Blended Learning

  • Inspirational keynotes, bootcamps and masterclasses
  • Individual learning & coaching journey
  • Peer-to-peer exchange
  • Networking events and demo day


Knowledge, Network and Visibility

  • Publications, reports and toolboxes
  • Alumni and partner network
  • Presence at national and international events

.

Who Can Participate and Collaborate in the Accelerator?

Circular Social Businesses

  • Join training sessions and master classes
  • Receive coaching and individualised support
  • Learn from peers and network with potential strategic partners, customers and investors

Funders and Investors

  • Access a pool of circular social businesses and be part of a wider impact network
  • Explore impact proven investment opportunities
  • Develop investment mechanisms suited for holistic impact

Partners

  • Access a pool of circular social businesses and be part of a wider impact network
  • Engage in research and knowledge exchange
  • Collaborate and co-create circular social solutions and formats

Next Cohort in Germany Staring in Summer 2025

Are you a social business, startup or SME with a circular product or service? Do you want to scale your circular solution and create greater impact? Apply for our CirculaRise Accelerator! Applications will open in spring 2025.

Applications open
Selection period

2 months

Kick off

summer 2025

Training & coaching

6 months

Demo Day
On-demand support

6 months

Final networking event

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.

CirculaRise Accelerator Alumni

Get to know the circular social businesses we have supported in Germany.

Bean United
  • Sector: Sustainable Agriculture and Processing
  • Location: Oberhaching, Germany
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain and Resource Recovery & Recycling
Bean United is a social coffee company with a focus on office coffee. Their impact model follows a 1-for-1 approach, where €2.50 is allocated to a social project for every kilo of Bean United coffee beans sold. Through this model, Bean United has successfully contributed to funding over 1.5 million school meals in Burundi. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with Bean United's NGO partner, Welthungerhilfe, and the World Food Program.
View website
ContainerGrid
  • Sector: Software Development, Waste Management
  • Location: Munich, Germany
  • Circular strategy: Product Life Extension and Resource Recovery & Recycling
ContainerGrid is addressing the inefficiency in recycled materials' logistics by pioneering cost-effective and efficient reverse logistics for circular supply chains. The platform facilitates the scalable take-back of end-of-life resources in the metals and chemicals processing industries, enhancing closed-loop systems and reducing the carbon footprint.
View website
Qubitkidz
  • Sector: Interior Design
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
  • Circular strategy: Product Life Extension and Resource Recovery & Recycling
Qubitkidz offers B2B personalised health-enhancing product experiences through a restorative interior kit and immersive spaces designed to feel more resilient, productive, and empowered in workspaces. Qubitkidz explores a new aesthetic by using discarded materials, prioritising sustainability and resourcefulness. The GLAD Green Panel utilizes recycled materials and repurposed objects to create partitions and divisions for recharging rooms. It incorporates built-in full-spectrum lights to care for the living nature indoors and create a colour therapy atmosphere for users.
View website
SONRIZA
  • Sector: Retail, Fashion and Design
  • Location: Munich, Germany
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain
SONRIZA serves as a bridge between skilled artisans, artists, farmers, and chocolate makers in Ecuador and conscious consumers in Germany and Europe. SONRIZA offers two primary product lines: Slow Fashion and gourmet chocolate. Through direct collaboration with Ecuadorian artisans, primarily women and mothers (around 90%), SONRIZA produces unique garments and accessories that showcase Ecuador's beauty and diversity. In the realm of gourmet chocolate, SONRIZA works with HUMA CHOCOLATE to offer exquisite dark chocolates with 70% pure cocoa content from local farmers in various regions.
View website
Shit2Power
  • Sector: Waste Management
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
  • Circular strategy: Resource Recovery & Recycling
Shit2Power is closing the loop of wastewater treatment plants by generating energy from sludge in a climate-neutral way. Its plug and play container solution for small and medium-sized waste-water treatment plants processes the sludge produced using a thermo-chemical process to generate energy on site. In this way, wastewater treatment plants become power plants that generate the energy needed to operate, making their operations financially sustainable, encouraging a global increase in wastewater treatment and keeping fresh water circulating for people to use.
View website
LOTTA LUDWIGSON
  • Sector: Fashion and Design
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain & Product-as-a-Service
LOTTA LUDWIGSON specializes in creating ethical, circular, and timeless women's attire that adheres to the cradle-to-cradle design philosophy. They ensure that clothing does not end up as textile waste, as all garments are designed to biodegrade and return as a resource to nature. Every piece is produced fairly within the EU. LOTTA LUDWIGSON is committed to implementing a take-back and resale program to extend the lifespan of their products. Furthermore, they aim to educate consumers about the various social and environmental challenges in the fashion industry and offer a sustainable alternative.
View website
Repair Circle
  • Sector: Waste Management
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
  • Circular strategy: Product Life Extension and Resource Recovery & Recycling
Repair Circle makes repairing just as easy as buying by connecting repair shops with customers, offering pickup and delivery. They provide diagnostic support and customer service so repair professionals save time and can increase productivity. Repair Circle also collects small devices to be reused or recycled responsibly. Repair Circle reduces e-waste and keeps repair ecosystems local, reducing the environmental costs involved in mining, transport, trade, and exploitation of resources. Moreover, Repair Circle supports local repair shops in Berlin and have already partnered with 15 local repair shops.
View website
Previous slide
Next slide

Get to know the circular social businesses we have supported in Kenya.

PadMad
  • Sector: Basic Services, Water & Sanitation
  • Location: Nairobi, Kenya
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain and Product Life Extension
PadMad is dedicated to achieving period dignity through comprehensive education, economic empowerment, and producing environmentally sustainable and health-conscious menstrual products. By addressing menstrual health challenges, PadMad fosters social inclusion, promotes sustainability, and plays a crucial role in empowering communities, particularly women and girls, to lead healthier and more dignified lives, thereby contributing to gender equality. PadMad collects offcuts from textile companies to use in manufacture pouches for packaging.
View website
ClassicFoods
  • Sector: Agribusiness
  • Location: Nairobi, Kenya
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain
ClassicFoods manufactures high-quality dairy products, juices, sauces, and animal feeds. With the Classic's superior quality and taste guarantee, customers can enjoy a diverse selection of nutritious and flavourful offerings. Classic Food's mission is to provide wholesome products that enrich lives, promote health, and support sustainable practices in the agricultural and food industries.
Patvention Ltd
  • Sector: Agribusiness
  • Location: Nyeri, Kenya
  • Circular strategy: Resource Recovery & Recycling and Product Life Extension
Patvention revolutionizes beekeeping with durable and sustainable hive solutions. They incorporate plastic into the design, making their beehives resilient to extreme weather conditions. This reduces the need for frequent repairs and replacements while significantly extending their lifespan. Patvention refurbishes damaged hives and resells them at a reduced cost. They also support beekeeping communities and promotes sustainable honey production.
African Agency for Arid Resources Limited (AGAR)
  • Sector: Manufacturing & Retail
  • Location: Laikipia, Kenya
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain
AGAR empowers pastoralist communities and fosters sustainable development in East Africa's arid regions. They specialise in the collection, grading, and sale of premium 1st and 2nd grade Gum Arabic, as well as Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils. AGAR bridges traditional knowledge with modern market needs, ensuring that the unique treasures of arid lands contribute to both local development and international demand.
View Website
Grow Blanks Ltd
  • Sector: Manufacturing & Retail
  • Location: Taita Taveta, Kenya
  • Circular strategy: Resource Recovery & Recycling
Grow Blanks transforms sisal agave fibre production waste into high-quality surfboard blanks and other eco-friendly products. Their blanks are designed as sustainable alternatives to traditional PU (polyurethane) or EPS (expanded polystyrene) blanks used in the surf industry. Grow Blanks supports environmental conservation and offers surfers and manufacturers a durable, lightweight, and environmentally responsible option.
View Website
Kakai Oils Africa
  • Sector: Manufacturing & Retail
  • Location: Machakos, Kenya
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain
Kakia Oils is an organic organisation that produces premium natural oils from ingredients sourced in Kenya. Their body and hair oils range are designed to nourish, protect, and revitalize using homegrown vitamins and botanicals. The products are handcrafted to deliver rich, undiluted, and nutrient-packed plant-based oils with a soft, natural scent. They provide expert guidance on usage and maintenance to help clients achieve the best results.
View Website
Springs Jubilee Vocational Centre
  • Sector: Hospitality & Tourism
  • Location: Nairobi, Kenya
  • Circular strategy: Circular Value Chain and Resource Recovery & Recycling
Springs Jubilee Vocational Centre brings its expertise in beauty sector training to spearhead the creation of a network of “green salons.” These salons will champion sustainability by incorporating practices for recycling hair and plastic waste, thereby making a positive impact on the environment. Through training programs and advocacy, Springs Jubilee aim to promote eco-consciousness within the beauty industry while empowering professionals with sustainable skills.
Previous slide
Next slide

Inspiring Stories From Program Participants