2025-09-17
17 international startups are coming to the Cicular Valley
The Circular Economy Accelerator is entering its next funding round. Seventeen startups from around the world are preparing to visit the Rhine-Ruhr region. This round focuses on five key topics related to the circular economy on which the young companies are working.
The image may be used free of charge for reporting purposes - Source: Circular Valley
They find sensible ways to reuse waste. They develop innovative, climate-friendly processes. They help companies create transparency with digital applications. They transform unused, valuable resources into usable ones. And: They are all coming to the greater Rhine-Ruhr region this year to participate in the ninth round of the Circular Economy Accelerator.
The program has been running since 2021 and has already helped more than 130 young companies to significantly advance their business ideas. The startups work together with experts from the Circular Valley network on their pitches, learn how to successfully attract investors, and gain insights into industry practices. Through the large network of the Circular Economy Initiative, participants establish valuable connections with potential partners and investors.
The accelerator's jury selected 17 companies from hundreds of international applicants. The founders hail from far and wide, spanning Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, Cyprus, Nigeria, Colombia, and the United States. Several companies from Germany are participating again as well.
The startups in this round are focusing on five key topics:
Design for Circularity: Companies that focus on this area develop product designs that enable reuse, repair, and recycling. These designs form the basis for low-emission business models.
Industrial symbiosis: This involves using by-products and surplus resources across industries to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Metals in the Loop: Startups in this field are developing innovative processes to ensure that metals are recovered more efficiently and remain in circulation.
Carbon & Climate: In this area of focus, companies are developing new approaches to carbon-based materials using renewable energy sources. This contributes to a closed carbon cycle.
Digitalization as an Enabler: These startups develop digital tools that trace material flows, promote circular design, and facilitate the comparison of sustainable business models.
In October/November, the startups will arrive in the greater Rhine-Ruhr region, where they will benefit from the expertise and contacts of the Circular Valley network. The highlight of their visit will be the Circular Valley Forum on November 14. There, they will present their ideas at Demo Day and network with potential supporters and partners at their booth.
The startups at a glance:
About Circular Valley
Circular Valley is the international hotspot for the circular economy, based in the greater Rhine-Ruhr region. The non-profit Circular Valley Foundation brings together the relevant stakeholders. Across industries and technologies, companies, startups, academia, and policymakers are working together to develop solutions for the transformation to a true circular economy. Public relations, the world's first circular economy accelerator, and policy recommendations are the foundation's main areas of focus.
Note for editors
If you have any questions or interview requests, please contact us by e-mail at press@circular-valley.org
The program has been running since 2021 and has already helped more than 130 young companies to significantly advance their business ideas. The startups work together with experts from the Circular Valley network on their pitches, learn how to successfully attract investors, and gain insights into industry practices. Through the large network of the Circular Economy Initiative, participants establish valuable connections with potential partners and investors.
The accelerator's jury selected 17 companies from hundreds of international applicants. The founders hail from far and wide, spanning Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, Cyprus, Nigeria, Colombia, and the United States. Several companies from Germany are participating again as well.
The startups in this round are focusing on five key topics:
Design for Circularity: Companies that focus on this area develop product designs that enable reuse, repair, and recycling. These designs form the basis for low-emission business models.
Industrial symbiosis: This involves using by-products and surplus resources across industries to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Metals in the Loop: Startups in this field are developing innovative processes to ensure that metals are recovered more efficiently and remain in circulation.
Carbon & Climate: In this area of focus, companies are developing new approaches to carbon-based materials using renewable energy sources. This contributes to a closed carbon cycle.
Digitalization as an Enabler: These startups develop digital tools that trace material flows, promote circular design, and facilitate the comparison of sustainable business models.
In October/November, the startups will arrive in the greater Rhine-Ruhr region, where they will benefit from the expertise and contacts of the Circular Valley network. The highlight of their visit will be the Circular Valley Forum on November 14. There, they will present their ideas at Demo Day and network with potential supporters and partners at their booth.
The startups at a glance:
- Design for Circularity: Ecorbio (Cyprus), Lighted Impact Foundation (Nigeria), Pili AdheSeal Inc. (Philippines)
- Industrial symbiosis: Anferra AB (Sweden), Circular Ecosystems (Australia), Pikare SkySource (Turkey)
- Metals in the Loop: AraBat (Italy), Naion.tech (Germany), REEgen (USA)
- Carbon & Climate: Algreen Ltd. (UK), Cyclize (Germany), Fungi Life (Colombia)
- Digitalisierung as an Enabler: Gizli GmbH (Germany), Kamilo Inc. (USA), LoopID (Germany), Orobo (Singapur)
- Wildcard: Depolify (Deutschland)
About Circular Valley
Circular Valley is the international hotspot for the circular economy, based in the greater Rhine-Ruhr region. The non-profit Circular Valley Foundation brings together the relevant stakeholders. Across industries and technologies, companies, startups, academia, and policymakers are working together to develop solutions for the transformation to a true circular economy. Public relations, the world's first circular economy accelerator, and policy recommendations are the foundation's main areas of focus.
Note for editors
If you have any questions or interview requests, please contact us by e-mail at press@circular-valley.org
