CircularInvest helped circular economy projects across Europe become investment-ready and increased their chances of securing financial resources.
Our services included tailormade support to improve project circularity, develop robust business plans (covering IP and legal aspects), and make circular economy initiatives significantly more appealing to investors.
We’ve distilled our firsthand experience into a set of actionable recommendations and guidelines to help level the playing field for circular businesses.
This policy brief is intended for EU policymakers, as well as national and regional authorities, practitioners, and organisations involved in developing or supporting circular economy projects. This document provides a consolidated overview of the main challenges Project Development Assistance (PDA) initiatives faced when moving from early-stage ideas to investment-ready and scalable solutions. These challenges relate to regulatory frameworks, access to infrastructure, financing conditions, and market demand.
Download"CircularInvest has given us a lot of professional guidance and training regarding our business plans, pitching and many other things. It has also given us the chance to participate as exhibitor and do pitching at major events in Europe. This will be very valuable for our company."
"For me I think CircularInvest helped us sharpen the proposition of what we’re offering both investors and commercially – in the fintech space this is a brand new thing - so to talk this through with experts in the field who helped us sharpen that narrative was a really valuable thing for us."
"The level of exposure which the project brought is just amazing: we were exposed to different cultures, persons, startup levels and different levels of experience which really help us and I value that a lot."
"CircularInvest has been our companion, and it has been wonderful: it really is like having somebody, like a third party, with a look from outside but yet within."
"I would highlight two things about the support from CircularInvest: On one side, the coaching sessions we have received from the last 6 months and the second thing is the webinar that we co-created alongside the CircularInvest team inviting representatives from port authorities, especially, from the Amsterdam port."
"CircularInvest helped us to spot our weak spots mostly on the investing side and helped us through the whole phase where we were investment ready after a couple of sessions with them and they are helping us with venues like this one here right now (ChangeNow) to connect us with investors but also with customers and potential clients."
"I would say that there was no specific moment that changed everything but all of them added up and made us a better company, helped us, connected us better and just made us evolve and move in a better direction."
Low-temperature chemical recycling of mixed plastic waste into renewable syngas for circular plastic production.
Material upcycling for modular container housing.
Using advanced extraction technology and microbial fermentation to power resilient food systems.
Digital solution designed to enhance circularity and traceability in maritime waste management by connecting stakeholders through digital waste passports.
Powering Circular Economy through Financial Technology.
Intelligent dismantling and material detection for mattresses, foam, and automotive component reuse.
Upward building extension without demolition
Cost-effective, sustainable charging station for city e-bikes and e-scooters, using recycled batteries and IoT connectivity to support urban e-mobility and reduce e-waste.
Transforming the packaging industry by reducing waste and CO2 emissions through reusable solutions.
ReNew Lifecycle offers a unique value proposition in the used and refurbished electronic devices market.
B2B digital marketplace for surplus food trading
Converting food waste into a sustainable source of omega-3
CIRCULARINVEST is the proud co-founder of the Circular Investment Readiness Network, a Europe-wide community of practice in partnership with the PDA project CircularInvest. Our mission is to support circular economy projects in overcoming development and funding challenges. When you become a part of this network, you'll engage with thought leaders, industry experts, investors, and change-makers from across Europe to foster cohesive projects, exchange best practices, and be part of an enabling environment where collective efforts can drive substantial impact.
JOIN THE NETWORK
'Scaling Circular Investment: From Barriers to Opportunity', the final event from the CircularInvest project, will take place on 15 October 2026 in Brussels.
Join CIRN Session #9 on 27 May, from 11:00-12:00, which will focus on navigating the structural barriers to raising capital as an early-stage circular venture.
Join us on 29 April from 10:00-11:30 for the next CircularInvest webinar where we will explore the ways in which cities are responding to population growth and rising housing demand.