ABOUT
Circular Economy Accelerator Program
About the Program
For each Circular Economy Accelerator program in Circular Valley, we look for circular economy startups taking part in a 3-month program with one on-site phase of three weeks in Wuppertal.
The Circular Economy Accelerator runs programs with 15 startups twice every year. Benefits of participating in the program include:
- Direct and close contact to our 100+ 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, Dusseldorf, 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 concerning travel, accommodation and business-related expenses during the accelerator program
Financial Support
We cover the costs related to the participation in the program for two people per start-up. This includes:
- Travel to, from and in Wuppertal
- Visa and administration costs
- Accommodation
- Expenses you may incur to further develop your business (e.g. cost for labs, prototypes, business trips, etc.)
- Per diem rates in accordance with German law to co-finance living expenses (e.g. food)
- Access to in-house covered areas of competence from the Circular Valley team
- To be reimbursed, large cost items need to be signed off with the Circular Economy Accelerator team before the cost is incurre
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, pitch to potential investors and a wide audience at the DemoDay.
Focus
We are looking for startups with specific technologies, ideas and new business models to help accomplish the vision of eliminating waste.
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 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 re-use of composite materials.
Accelerate Science & Business
Together with our partners we compress years of learning and experience into a three-month window.
Your startup has left the academic project phase. You want to take your idea to market and commercialize it, make it into a real product or service that companies or individuals are willing to pay for.
We connect you to potential customers, so that you can test what it needs to be successful.
You will be equipped with all the necessary tools of the trade for a founder to open new doors and close deals. With every interaction you get better by the day.
We connect you to potential customers, so that you can test what it needs to be successful.
You will be equipped with all the necessary tools of the trade for a founder to open new doors and close deals. With every interaction you get better by the day.
Examples of specific advantages and learnings:
- Networking and contact possibilities with our 100+ partners, including:• Global market leaders, located in a 60-minute radius or less
• Established and young companies leading in circularity
• Stakeholders from politics
• Leading scientific institutions - Development of mentor relationships through our extensive network in the wider Rhine-Ruhr Region
- Running experiments
- Working with Circular Valley scientific and startup staff
- Pitching to investors, press and professional audience
- Exchanging with other startups
- Workshops and trainings about tech product production, business models, intellectual property, sales, communication, etc.
- Creating a powerful pitch and read deck and obtaining pitch training
- Know your numbers – market size, cost of goods sold, profit margin, and more
- Creating a powerful pitch deck
FAQ
The accelerator is located in the east of Wuppertal on the Vorwerk premises in Laaken. Directions of how to get to the accelerator from Wuppertal Central Station can be found here.
To get to Wuppertal, you can travel by train using the 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 travel by train using the 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 during the presence phase
No, this is completely up to you. But of course, we are happy to assist and 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. All startups should have at least two people 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. If you are selected for the program, we are happy to help with legal/immigration issues.
We cover the costs related to the participation in the program for two people per start-up. This includes:
Through the alumni network and the contacts established, the start-ups can also benefit beyond the duration of the program.
- Travel to, from and in Wuppertal
- Visa and administration costs
- Accommodation
- Expenses you may incur to further develop your business (e.g. cost for labs, prototypes, business trips, etc.).
- Per diem rates in accordance with German law to co-finance living expenses (e.g. food)
- Access to in-house covered areas of competence from the Circular Valley team
- To be reimbursed, large cost items need to be signed off with the Circular Economy Accelerator team before the cost is incurred
Through the alumni network and the contacts established, the start-ups 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".
All you need to apply is a well-thought-out business idea and at least two co-founders. We'll help you with all the rest..
Yes, we accept teams that have previously raised funding.
As stated above, we are looking for start-ups with specific ideas/inventions that help accomplish this ambition.
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 re-use 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 re-use of composite materials.
Yes, we organize and cover accommodation for startups during the duration of the program.
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