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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.
- 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 circular 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