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Our ecosystems | Circular

Impact Hub Circular Ecosystem

Only 8,6 percent of the global economy is currently circular, while adopting circular principles now could bring Europe net benefits of EUR 1,8 trillion and carbon emission reductions of 450 million tonnes by 2030. That is why Impact Hub Amsterdam hosts events, builds communities, and runs acceleration programmes around circularity.

Through our Investment Ready Program, for example, more than EUR 15 million has already been invested in circular startups. To further accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economy, we work together with partners such as ING Foundation, Province of Noord-Holland, and CIRCL.

In our Circular Ecosystem, we bring together and strengthen relationships between impact entrepreneurs, investors, consumers, corporates, government, and other organisations. Together, we spur innovation and co-create a circular economy. Also working on the transition towards a circular economy? Join our Ecosystem!

Projects

IKEA Glue Programme | 2023

07/05/2023
Calling out all innovators and entrepreneurs who are working in the field of biobased glues! We partnered with IKEA to track down sustainable glue options that will be kind to future generations.

WDCD Make it Circular Challenge

31 JAN 2023
What Design Can Do (WDCD) launched the Make it Circular Challenge, in partnership with IKEA Foundation. The make it Circular Challenge calls on designers, creative entrepreneurs and startups from around the world to envision and build a circular society. Winners receive a prize fund and a 6-month accelerator programme co-created with Impact Hub Amsterdam!

Circular Textile Accelerator – by CIC

8 JAN 2023
After extensive research the Circular Innovation Collective has identified the most urgent innovation gaps to create a circular textile chain. As a result we are scouting Startups and SME – B2B as well as B2C – national or international that are working on high value innovative circular solutions in Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Repair.

Impact Nation for Startups | 2022 | Sollas

17 NOV 2022
We’ve teamed up with ABN AMRO and TNW to develop Impact Nation, a programme in which we match innovative impact scale-ups with SMEs & organisations to collaborate on implementing innovations at scale.

Impact Nation for Startups | 2022 | PVG

26 OCT 2022
We’ve teamed up with ABN AMRO and TNW to develop Impact Nation, a programme in which we match innovative impact scale-ups with SMEs & organisations to collaborate on implementing innovations at scale.

Renewi Pilot Program

14 OCT 2021
Upcycling waste at the end of the dividing line. As part of our Circular Ecosystem work, Impact Hub The Netherlands has teamed up with Renewi to find innovators and solution providers in the field of waste processing.

AM

sep 2022-2023
AM is on a mission to become climate positive by 2040. To reach this goal AM is on the look out for innovative solutions to grow crops on the land AM cannot (yet) build houses on and use these crops as input to produce sustainable building materials.  

CIRCO Track – Circulair Verpakken Afhaal- en Bezorgmaaltijden

OCT 2022 - NOV 2022
De CIRCO-track ‘Circulair Verpakken Afhaal- en Bezorgmaaltijden’ helpt bedrijven voor te bereiden op de komst van uitgebreide producentenverantwoordelijkheid (UPV), om zo samen te werken aan een duurzame verpakkingsketen voor afhaal- en bezorgmaaltijden.

Impact Nation for Startups | 2022 | De Zeeuwse Kust

26 OCT 2022
We’ve teamed up with ABN AMRO and TNW to develop Impact Nation, a programme in which we match innovative impact scale-ups with SMEs & organisations to collaborate on implementing innovations at scale.

IKEA Marine Materials Innovation Program 2022

18 MAY
Are you revolutionising products by using marine materials? For IKEA of Sweden, we are scouting pioneers for the Marine Materials Innovation Program. Apply by 18 May and get a chance to work with IKEA on your sustainable marine material product or solution!

Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge 2022/2023

Mar 2022 - Q1 2023
We’re scouting for the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge for the fourth year running! The global program aims to support entrepreneurial start-up and scale-up businesses who are developing solutions that promote inclusive and positive change in fashion.

React!

31/12/2023
React! calls on all youth workers to get inspired and share knowledge on the circular economy, impact entrepreneurship and personal development.

Impact Nation for Startups | 2022 | Nationale-Nederlanden

26 OCT 2022
We’ve teamed up with ABN AMRO and TNW to develop Impact Nation, a programme in which we match innovative impact scale-ups with SMEs & organisations to collaborate on implementing innovations at scale.

IKEA Packaging Innovation Program

SEP - DEC 2021
Are you revolutionising packaging? For IKEA of Sweden, we are scouting pioneers for the Packaging Innovation Program. Apply and get a chance to work with IKEA on your sustainable packaging product or solution!

Business Model Challenge | Circular Edition

SEP - DEC 2021
polimeer
You have the green dreams – we hand you the business tools. Join the ranks of 350+ alumni and apply for our Business Model Challenge incubator! In three months, you will finetune your business plan, strengthen your entrepreneurial skills, and expand your impact business network in a blended, on & offline programme.

WDCD No Waste Challenge

Apr 2021 - Jan 2022
What Design Can Do (WDCD) launched the No Waste Challenge, in partnership with IKEA Foundation. Designers and creatives from around the world are invited to submit their innovative solutions to reduce waste and rethink the current production and consumption cycle. Winners receive a prize fund and a 6-month accelerator programme co-created with Impact Hub Amsterdam!

Investment Ready Program

OCT 2020 - MAR 2021
During this 5-month accelerator (now in its 7th year!) powered by the ING Nederland Foundation, we’ll help you review your business model, strategy, team as well as craft a funding plan to grow your sustainable business. At the programme’s concluding Demo Day, you’ll pitch your plan to our network of impact investors!

Events

Join us at any of the following events and meet an inspiring network of people who are passionate about working together to build a new economy

Stories

16 February

In 2030, seventy percent of the textile industry in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area must be circular – an ambitious goal. Yet the textile industry is slow to move in that direction, says Manon Klein. Klein is director of Impact Hub Amsterdam, an impact innovation company that, together with Metabolic and Bankers Without Boundaries, has designed an innovative approach to drive circular system change, starting with the textile sector.
5 October

Marcel den Hollander gave a keynote during our Circular Ecosystem Day. Marcel works as an independent researcher and industrial design consultant to industry in circular product design and business models for the circular economy. As one of the first he studied industrial design at the TU Delft followed by a Ph.D in circular product design and with over 20 years of experience in commercial industrial design for renowned design studios, designing consumer goods from (food)packaging to office furniture.
16 February

Today we are seeing a growing number of designers embrace the shift towards a circular economy. For many this starts with reimagining products and services in a way that eliminates waste and supports a more regenerative relationship with nature. But as some of us come to find out, having a good idea and translating it into real and lasting impact are two very different things. What could creatives do to help turn their circular design into a thriving enterprise?
18 March

The Investment Ready Program, whose main partner is ING Netherlands Foundation, is our five-month accelerator for circular impact entrepreneurs with scalable solutions to global problems. We guide a cohort of selected participants through a systematic review of their business strategy, model, and team before they craft a validated growth and investment plan. We do this to help them attract the right investor and secure funding that matches their growth ambitions. This year, the Investment Ready Program went international!
8 December

Joost de Kluijver is al een lange tijd werkzaam in de mobiele telefonie sector. De telefoon is een icoon geworden van technologische vooruitgang, stelt hij. Met zijn bedrijf Closing the Loop voorkomt Joost dat telefoons na een aantal jaar trouwe dienst op de vuilnisbelt terechtkomen.

Partners