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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
The DOEN Foundation, in collaboration with Impact Hub Amsterdam, is launching a new competition for sustainable and social entrepreneurs. Do you have a sustainable and/or social consumer product or service? Five impactful and sustainable entrepreneurs will win €100,000 to support their innovation.
IKEA Foam Collaboration
JUNE - OCT 2024
Through the IKEA Foam Collaboration, innovators specialising in sustainable foam, innovative foam solutions, or alternative foam materials have the opportunity to collaborate with IKEA. Together with Impact Hub global, we aim to revolutionise the furniture industry by making sustainable solutions accessible to all.
Green at Heart – Build an even more impactful SME
March 2024 - 2025
Green at Heart helps social SMEs close all the loops by building a business that is environmentally as well as socially sound, well-governed, and circular. Through state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, expert guidance, and financial support, we empower you to integrate all aspects of sustainability into the heart of your business and prepare you for incoming ESG…
Built by Nature Prize
15/11/23 - 04/06/24
This is your chance to be part of a global change story and a growing movement to advance a range of positive impacts for our planet and people. Seize the opportunity for recognition, collaboration, learning and inspiration by joining an international community committed to creating a built environment that works in unison with nature.
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
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!
12 December
13:30 TO 18:00
(Sold out) Innovate to Regenerate – Regenerative Ecosystem Day 2024
This event brings together pioneers, stakeholders, and changemakers committed to the shift towards a regenerative society. With support from the Triodos Foundation, Rabobank Foundation, and DOEN Foundation, Regenerative Ecosystem Day offers a unique platform to connect, learn, and take action.
Stories
9 June
New publication for the Circular Innovation Collective (CIC) - Circular cities are considered a vital component of the sustainability transformations needed to secure the future of our planet. Cities are responsible for 70% of the world's material use and consumption and as the global population grows and cities expand, their impacts become even greater. The transition to circularity is not only essential from an environmental perspective, it also presents significant opportunities for economic growth and diverse job creation. Circular startups will play a crucial role in expediting this transition, but they need targeted support to overcome common obstacles and fulfil their vast potential.
11 March
After a successful pilot with the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam, the Circular Innovation Collective has published an open-access guide to advance circular innovation programs across European cities and regions.
7 February
Innovating in the brewery sector is not always easy. But it is much needed in these times. Seven breweries and a wholesaler inspired each other and collaborated on a plan to brew in a more sustainable way. This happened during the CIRCO Track Beer Brewing. In this three-day training program, entrepreneurs work together to explore their opportunities in the field of circularity.
11 October
Sollas, a well-known designer and manufacturer of high-quality product overwrapping systems, has recently teamed up with Impact Hub Amsterdam. We helped Sollas explore potential partnerships for the development of an innovative and sustainable paper equivalent to currently widely used plastic overwrapping film.
28 September
As of 2022, some 2.2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water, an issue that's becoming more serious as water stress caused by climate change continues to increase. Tackling water stress worldwide requires collaboration and innovation – whether in new approaches to existing technologies or completely novel solutions. What Design Can Do's Make it Circular Challenge winner LibreWater combines both approaches with its Open Source Hardware desalination device. The design will be shared free of charge for local production. Everybody is welcome to adapt, build, change, or sell it.
Partners
