Following our mission, 'Grow the Economy – Protect the Environment', we are looking for startups engaged in the transformation from a linear to a circular economy and that are keen on contributing to our unique environment in Circular Valley.

Batch #9 focuses on the following seven topics:

1. Design4Circularity - Economically viable Circular Product Designs as enablers for circular products and low-emission business models

2. Reverse Logistics - Economically viable Take-Back Concepts and/or Reverse Logistic Concepts for returning products from household use

3. Industrial Symbiosis - Concepts that enable the collaboration between companies of the same or different industries for the utilization of by-products and surplus resources, increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact

4. Metals in the loop - Innovative solutions for metal recovery with higher efficiency

5. Carbon & climate - Concepts for renewables-based carbon materials for a closed carbon loop

6. Digitalization as an enabler for the Circular Economy - Digital tools that push viable circular business concepts by data pooling for
(a) the traceability of material data to comply with regulations,
(b) the recyclability of materials for a circular product design,
(c) the financial analysis and comparison of various circular routes including business as usual

7. Other - Wildcard

The 15 startups for Batch #9 will be selected by the beginning of September 2025.

The two-month program of Batch #9 consists of a virtual preparation phase, a mandatory three-week on-site phase in Wuppertal, Germany, and an optional additional partner week.

The program starts with a virtual introductory event on September 29th. The needs assessments will be conducted virtually in individual appointments during the week of September 29th to October 2nd. A virtual "Get to Know" event for Batch #9 will take place on October 13th.

The on-site phase in Wuppertal (October 27th to November 15th, 2025) starts with the kick-off on October 27th where participating startups will have their first opportunity to meet Circular Valley's partners in person. One highlight of the on-site phase will be the Demo Day of Batch #9 at the Circular Valley Forum on November 14th.

After the mandatory on-site phase, startups can stay in Wuppertal for an additional week (until November 21st, 2025) to meet with our partner companies, institutions, or alumni.

Check out our FAQ section to find more information about the accelerator program.

At the core of our program, you will have the opportunity to connect with more than 160 partners from industry, R&D, and government from our Circular Valley® network. In addition, expert workshops, tailor-made trainings as well as an intensive coaching and mentoring program awaits you. You will be surrounded by a vibrant, international, and diverse community of startups and the dedicated Circular Economy Accelerator team.

Circular Valley® is a globally unique hotspot for the establishment of a future-oriented circular economy. Since its foundation in the summer of 2021, over 130 startups from all around the world have participated in its Circular Economy Accelerator.
It is funded by the North-Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Economics to leverage and further develop the unique strengths of the region by trendsetting innovative circular economy concepts, products, and business models.