ABOUT
Circular Economy Accelerator Program
About the Program
For each Circular Economy Accelerator batch in Circular Valley, we are looking for Circular Economy startups to participate in our two-month program. In the first four weeks, selected virtual events take place to prepare the startups for the on-site phase. All participating startups then come to Wuppertal for a three-week on-site phase. Startups can also stay in Wuppertal for an extra week if they would like to meet with partner companies, institutions, or alumni from the region. To ensure that the additional week is well utilised, we support the startups in making contact and arranging appointments.
The Circular Economy Accelerator runs programs with 15 startups twice every year. Benefits of participating in the program include:
- Direct and close contact with our 150+ partners from industry, R&D, and government
- Experiencing and becoming part of a truly international, diverse, and innovative environment
- Tailor-made expert workshops and training modules, as well as individual mentoring and coaching to support startups' further development
- Facilitated networking with 300+ global market leaders from Germany's Rhein-Ruhr region (includes the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Essen, Dortmund, Münster, etc.)
- Peer-to-peer exchange between startups and their international networks
- Global alumni network in the (post-) accelerator phase
- Financial support for travel, accommodation, and business-related expenses during the accelerator program
Financial Support
We cover 80% of the costs related to participation in the program for a maximum of two people per startup:
- Travel to, from, and within Wuppertal
- Visa and administration costs
- Accommodation
- Per diem rates in accordance with German law to co-finance living expenses (e.g. food)
As part of the program, you have access to in-house covered areas of competencies from the Circular Valley team. You will have the opportunity to access co-working with a community of like-minded teams and our mentor network, which melds science, politics, and business. You will also have the opportunity to pitch to the press, corporate partners, and investors repeatedly throughout the program.
Mentoring
Startups will receive dedicated mentoring and become part of the large Circular Valley network. This network includes corporate partners, scientific partners, alumni, investors, press representatives, and more. Founders engage with customers and partners, and pitch to potential investors and a wide audience at the Demo Day.
Focus
We are looking for startups with specific technologies, ideas, and new business models to help accomplish the vision of a Circular Economy.
The focus is on designing out waste, production technologies with minimized environmental impact, marking technologies, product passports, tracking & tracing, collection, separation of waste streams, waste logistics, re-use models, novel recycling technologies, novel service models and digital enabling technologies.
EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP)
Our industry focus, in line with the EU Green Deal and CEAP, is targeted to electronics, information and communication technologies, batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction and buildings, furniture, high-impact intermediary products (steel, cement, chemicals), food, water, and nutrients. Additionally, we are broadly looking for innovations that support the reuse of composite materials.
FAQ
The accelerator is located in eastern Wuppertal, on the Vorwerk premises in Laaken. Directions on how to get to the accelerator from Wuppertal Central Station can be found here.
To get to Wuppertal, you can take a train with Deutsche Bahn. The closest airports are Düsseldorf Airport, Cologne-Bonn Airport, or Frankfurt Main Airport (1-hr train ride away).
To get to Wuppertal, you can take a train with Deutsche Bahn. The closest airports are Düsseldorf Airport, Cologne-Bonn Airport, or Frankfurt Main Airport (1-hr train ride away).
Yes, we expect that at least one team member is in Wuppertal for the entire presence phase and actively participates in our program.
No, but if you decide to do so, we are happy to support you in settling in or relocating to the wider Rhine-Ruhr Region.
If you are a single founder, we suggest you find at least one other co-founder or team member. Ideally, there should be two people per startup in Circular Valley during the program.
Yes. We explicitly welcome participants from all geographies. Circular Valley is a true melting pot of international founders. Anyone from anywhere can apply. Of course, you have to have a valid visa during your stay in Germany. We recommend that you make an appointment with the embassy responsible for you, when you submit your application, regardless of whether you are selected. If you are selected for the program, we are happy to help with legal/immigration issues.
We cover 80% of the costs related to the participation in the program for a maximum of two people per startup:
As part of the program, you have access to in-house covered areas of competencies from the Circular Valley team. You will have the opportunity to access co-working with a community of like-minded teams and our mentor network, which melds science, politics, and business. You will also have the opportunity to pitch to the press, corporate partners, and investors repeatedly throughout the program.
Through the alumni network and the contacts established, the startups can also benefit beyond the duration of the program.
- Travel to, from, and in Wuppertal
- Visa and administration costs
- Accommodation
- Per diem rates in accordance with German law to co-finance living expenses (e.g. food)
As part of the program, you have access to in-house covered areas of competencies from the Circular Valley team. You will have the opportunity to access co-working with a community of like-minded teams and our mentor network, which melds science, politics, and business. You will also have the opportunity to pitch to the press, corporate partners, and investors repeatedly throughout the program.
Through the alumni network and the contacts established, the startups can also benefit beyond the duration of the program.
The Circular Economy Accelerator does not take any equity. Our purpose is to build a global network and share knowledge on the circular economy to "Grow the economy and protect the environment".
Applications for Batch 11 are open from June 8 to July 5, 2026.
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As stated above, we are looking for startups with specific ideas/inventions that help to realise the vision of a Circular Economy.
The focus of startups applying should lie on designing out waste, production technologies with minimized environmental impact, marking technologies, product passports, tracking & tracing, collection, separation of waste streams, waste logistics, re-use models, novel recycling technologies, novel service models, and digital enabling technologies.
Our industry focus is in line with the EU Green Deal and CEAP which is electronics, information and communication technologies, batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction and buildings, furniture, high-impact intermediary products (steel, cement, chemicals), food, water, and nutrients. Additionally, we are broadly looking for innovations that support reuse of composite materials.
The focus of startups applying should lie on designing out waste, production technologies with minimized environmental impact, marking technologies, product passports, tracking & tracing, collection, separation of waste streams, waste logistics, re-use models, novel recycling technologies, novel service models, and digital enabling technologies.
Our industry focus is in line with the EU Green Deal and CEAP which is electronics, information and communication technologies, batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction and buildings, furniture, high-impact intermediary products (steel, cement, chemicals), food, water, and nutrients. Additionally, we are broadly looking for innovations that support reuse of composite materials.
Yes, we organize accommodation for startups during the duration of the program and cover 80 % of the incurred costs.
Teams will move out of our co-working space after the program. However, we are happy to assist them if they decide to relocate to or open an office in the wider Rhine-Ruhr Region.
Either way, startups continue to be part of the Circular Valley family and the alumni network. Additionally, our partner network remains available to all alumni. Information is also provided about follow-up events and integration into upcoming batches.
Either way, startups continue to be part of the Circular Valley family and the alumni network. Additionally, our partner network remains available to all alumni. Information is also provided about follow-up events and integration into upcoming batches.