The Circular Innovation Fund celebrates the success of the Circular Innovation Fund 2023 Acceleration Program, Global Edition, operated by Cycle Momentum

The Circular Innovation Fund (CIF) – a global venture capital fund focused on circular innovation and jointly managed by European-based Demeter and North American-based Cycle Capital, celebrates the closing of the Circular Innovation Fund 2023 Acceleration Program – Global Edition’s first cohort. L’Oreal, anchor investor in the Circular Innovation Fund, played a key role in the development and success of this program operated by Cycle Momentum. 

Dedicated to the Beyond Plastic and Upcycling sectors, the 2023 cohort regroups exceptional teams commercializing innovative circular technologies :

Aplantex: Aplantex pioneers a unique production method, ensuring a predictable supply with a stable price structure while adhering to ESG principles. Their approach is based on a revolutionary industrial platform that enables them to produce a wide range of high-value-added plant molecules from their optimized biomass. Discover more at https://aplantex.ca/

Nanomox: Nanomox develops sustainable, cost-effective advanced materials and thin films, including varying-sized metal oxide particles, to enhance efficiency and enable diverse applications. Explore their innovations at https://nanomox.net/

Novobiom: Novobiom leads the way in ecological remediation, offering innovative and competitive solutions for heavily polluted natural resources. Their groundbreaking Mycoremediation approach targets soil contamination. Learn more at https://www.novobiom.com/

Sparxell: Sparxell revolutionizes the industry with brilliantly colored, eco-friendly materials, including plant-based pigments, glitter, sequins, and films. Backed by cutting-edge research from the University of Cambridge. Explore their offerings at https://sparxell.com/

“The Circular Innovation Fund is dedicated to scaling solutions that positively strive to mitigate climate change and the circular use of resources. In addition to funding, we are excited to collaborate with Cycle Momentum to provide acceleration services and expertise to the most talented early-stage entrepreneurs to bring more innovative solutions to the market. Given the success of this program, we are excited to announce a second edition that will be launched soon”, Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder & Managing Partner, Cycle Capital

“Cycle Momentum is pleased to have partnered with the Circular Innovation Fund to support entrepreneurs that develop solutions to tackle climate change. Our 2023 cohort was among the most talented and we are sure that they will make a significant impact in the areas of circular economy.” Patrick Gagné CEO, Cycle Momentum

About Circular Innovation Fund

The Circular Innovation Fund (“CIF”) is a global venture capital fund focused solely on circular innovation. It is a joint venture between leading cleantech capital managers – Paris-based Demeter and Montreal-based Cycle Capital. The fund invests in growth-stage companies from North America, Europe and Asia developing breakthrough new materials, circular packaging, recycling and waste innovations, logistics, as well as eco-efficient processes & design, and circular business models.

For more information on the Circular Innovation Fund, visit: www.circularinnovationfund.com.

 

About Cycle Capital 

Cycle Capital is a leading ClimateTech venture capital platform scaling impactful, sustainable innovation. Founded in 2009, Cycle Capital invests across North America, Europe and Asia in growing companies commercializing solutions to the major ecological challenges and contributing to a net-zero transition. Cycle Capital is the founder of Cycle Momentum Accelerator + Innovation Engine. Cycle Capital has developed an ESG and imp-

-act assessment methodology integrated into the investment workflow from the pre-investment phase to the exit of the portfolio company. For more information on Cycle Capital, visit cyclecapital.com.

 

About Demeter

Demeter is a major European player in venture capital, development capital and infrastructure investment in the energy and ecological transition. Its funds invest from €1 to €30 million to support companies in the sector at all stages of their development: innovative startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, infrastructure projects. Demeter’s 38-strong team, based in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Madrid and Düsseldorf, manages €1.3 billion and has made 230 investments in 17 years.

For more information on Demeter: https://demeter-im.com/

 

About L’Oreal

For over 110 years, L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L’Oréal for the Future programme, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.

With 87 400 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (e-commerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2022 theGroup generated sales amounting to 38.26 billion euros. With 20 research centers across 11 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4 000 scientists and 5 500 tech and digital professionals, L’Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse.

Fore more informations on L’Oreal https://www.loreal.com/fr/mediaroom

 

About Cycle Momentum 

Cycle Momentum is an accelerator and innovation platform that brings together an international collective of entrepreneurs, leading companies, investors.

Our mission is to find innovative solutions to the major ecological challenges facing humanity. Member of the Cycle Capital Platform, Cycle Momentum provides entrepreneurs with training workshops, networking sessions and mentoring, and works with leading companies to stimulate technology acquisition and integration. 

To increase the impact of its programs, Cycle Momentum has brought together several local and international investment funds as part of its Circle of Partner Funds, whose members are involved with participating startups. In addition, in October 2023, the institution is launching the Origo program, a pre-seed and seed investment matching program for climate tech in Quebec

Cycle Momentum can count on the financial support of the Gouvernement du Quebec, Cycle Capital, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, Fasken, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good.

More inforfmation on Cycle Momentum: https://cyclemomentum.com/

Catalyzing Climate Tech: Inside Cycle Momentum’s Origo Program

Last week we announced the first co-investment of our Origo program, a pre-seed and seed investment matching program for climate technology in Quebec. Through this interview,Jennifer McDonald, Senior Vice President of Investments at Cycle Momentum, discusses the Origo program’s approach and how we work with our investment partners. 

On March 7th Cycle Momentum announced the first co-investment in its Origo program. It’s a great milestone! Please tell us more about the Origo program. 

It’s an exciting moment to announce our first investment, in Opalia! The Origo program invests in climate tech solutions at the earliest stage. Our goal is to stimulate investment in startups that are developing innovative technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, or provide other environmental benefits.

As you said it is an investment matching program and for the first investment, made in Opalia, Cycle Momentum co-invested with BoxOne Ventures. Can you tell us why BoxOne Ventures was the right partner and what are the requirements to invest through the Origo Program?

BoxOne Ventures is an operator-founded investment firm that’s committed to investing in transformative ideas. They were a great co-investor for our investment in Opalia because they love to back visionary ideas. To co-invest with the Origo program, investors should be part of the Circle of Partner Funds, be actively deploying capital, and have climate tech as a key part of their investment thesis. 

What type of investors join the Circle of Partner Funds?

Investors partnering with us gain access to high-quality climate tech investments, a valuable network of aligned peers, top-tier market intelligence, and opportunities for leadership and engagement. Through our platform, investors find promising startups aligned with their thesis, collaborate with like-minded peers, stay informed on market trends, and contribute to the growth of impactful technologies.

Jennifer McDonald, Senior Vice President of Investments at Cycle Momentum

And what are the concrete benefits for Investors you work with? 

Investors partnering with us gain access to high-quality climate tech investments, a valuable network of aligned peers, top-tier market intelligence, and opportunities for leadership and engagement. Through our platform, investors find promising startups aligned with their thesis, collaborate with like-minded peers, stay informed on market trends, and contribute to the growth of impactful technologies.

Finally, what does the future hold for Cycle Momentum’s Origo program? 

With the Origo program, Cycle Momentum plans to invest in 10 Quebec climate tech companies per year. Our team is working actively with the Quebec startup ecosystem and our Circle of Partner Funds to achieve this goal. We’re excited to play a role in this year’s Climate Solutions Festival (June 17-18), which brings this community together to celebrate visionary entrepreneurs building technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Cycle Momentum makes the first co-investment of its Origo program in Opalia

Montréal, 7 March 2024 — Cycle Momentum, an accelerator and innovation platform, announced today the first co-investment of its Origo program. Origo is a pre-seed and seed investment matching program for climate technology in Quebec.

Totaling $150,000, Cycle Momentum has its first co-investments in Opalia, a company that has completed one of the accelerator’s support programs. Opalia is a Montreal-based startup developing a technology to make real milk without cows using bovine mammary cells. 

Cycle Momentum is co-investing with BoxOne Ventures one of the members of his Circle of Partner Funds. This Cycle Momentum initiative helps strengthen investor participation in the climate tech ecosystem and stimulate investment in innovative technology companies and entrepreneurship within the sector.

“Cycle Momentum is excited to announce its inaugural co-investment through the Origo program in Opalia, alumni of our acceleration programs. This marks the first of many steps as we will continue to accompany Opalia’s development, shaping the future of climate technologies together.” – Jennifer McDonald, Senior Vice President of Investments, Cycle Momentum.

“We are thrilled to have the financial and strategic support of Cycle Momentum. The Origo program is the perfect partner to support Opalia in validating our technology before scaling it up for commercialization. Cycle Momentum has also positioned itself to introduce us to its broad network of financial and industrial partners to help finance our growth and deploy our technology.” – Jennifer Côté, CEO and Co-Founder, Opalia

“People love dairy, be it cheese, ice cream, or a simple glass of milk, but it is rare to see a company like Opalia tackle such a deeply rooted industry. BoxOne is thrilled to back Jennifer Côte, Lucas House, and their team in bringing real, animal-free milk to the table. Our investment approach has always centred on visionary ideas with massive potential. This is a sentiment we are proud to share with Origo as they kick-off their co-investment program in promising early-stage startups across Quebec.” – Felicity Meyer, Investment Manager, BoxOne Ventures

 

About Cycle Momentum 

Cycle Momentum is an accelerator and innovation platform that brings together an international collective of entrepreneurs, leading companies, investors and innovators.

Our mission is to find innovative solutions to the major ecological challenges facing humanity. Member of the Cycle Capital Platform, Cycle Momentum provides entrepreneurs with training workshops, networking sessions and mentoring, and works with leading companies to stimulate technology acquisition and integration. 

To increase the impact of its programs, Cycle Momentum has brought together several local and international investment funds as part of its Circle of Partner Funds, whose members are involved with participating startups. In addition, in October 2023, the institution is launching the Origo program, a pre-seed and seed investment matching program for climate tech in Quebec

Cycle Momentum can count on the financial support of the Gouvernement du Quebec, Cycle Capital, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, Fasken, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good.

About Opalia

Opalia is a Montreal-based company that is developing technology to make real milk without cows using mammary cells. Since their milk has the same components as traditional milk (protein, fat, lactose), it can be used to make dairy products (cheese, ice cream, chocolate, etc.) that are very efficient. Moreover, since they remove the animal from the process, they significantly reduce methane emissions, land use, and water use for more sustainable, ethical, and nutritious dairy. With a small team of just four people, Opalia has reached several impressive milestones and raised several million dollars in public and private funding.

About BoxOne Ventures

BoxOne Ventures is an operator-founded, Montreal-based, early-stage investment firm, committed to investing in transformative ideas that have the potential to create positive change and shape a better future for all.

Read Opalia’s press release

Find out more about the Origo program

Thanks to Environnement Québec for supporting the Origo program as part of the plan pour une économie verte 2030.

Opalia: revolutionizing the dairy industry with an innovative approach

Cycle Momentum announced the first co-investments of its Origo program last week. Discover Opalia the first start-up we invested in.

In the current landscape of dairy alternatives, the crucial question is often overlooked: how to reconcile sustainability, taste, functionality, and nutritional profile? Opalia focuses on this issue, being a visionary company developing a technology to create cow-free milk from mammary cells.

CURRENT DAIRY ALTERNATIVES FALL SHORT OF CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS

The dairy alternatives currently available on the market, while commendable in their goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, often lack in terms of taste, functionality, and nutritional profile. Facing this issue, Opalia positions itself as the innovative solution that combines exceptional performance with sustainability.

COW-FREE MILK THANKS TO CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Opalia is developing a unique technology based on the use of bovine mammary cells to create cow-free milk. This revolutionary approach paves the way for more sustainable, functional, nutritious, and ethical dairy products. By overcoming the limitations of current alternatives, Opalia aims to redefine industry standards in the dairy sector.

Lucas House and Jennifer Côté, founders of Opalia

THE ORIGO PROGRAM: MAJOR SUPPORT FOR OPALIA

The investment from the Origo Program represents a crucial step for Opalia. Being one of the first beneficiaries of this initiative is a genuine recognition of its value. The Origo Program provides an exceptional opportunity for companies working in clean technologies, offering the necessary support for the development and validation of their projects.

“We are delighted to have the financial and strategic support of Cycle Momentum. The Origo program is the perfect partner to support Opalia in validating our technology before scaling it for commercialization. Cycle Momentum has also positioned itself to introduce us to its extensive network of financial and industrial partners to help us finance our growth and deploy our technology.” – Jennifer Côté, CEO and Co-Founder, Opalia

NEXT STEPS: FINALIZATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND SCALING

Opalia’s next milestones are clear. Firstly, the company aims to finalize the development of its technology on a small scale. This crucial step will ensure the quality and efficiency of production before moving on to the next stage. Opalia then plans to test its products in various applications with partners interested in supporting scaling for commercialization. This pragmatic approach ensures the long-term success of the company.

Opalia, with its bold vision and commitment to innovation, positions itself as a key player in the revolution of the dairy industry. Through the combination of its cutting-edge technology and the support of the Origo Program, Opalia is ready to redefine standards and offer a sustainable and exceptionally high-quality dairy alternative.


Access the press release here

Learn more about Opalia

Learn more about the Origo program

Cycle Momentum announces the appointment of Jennifer McDonald as Senior Vice President of Investments and Hans Rogg-Desormeaux as Analyst

Montreal, October 26, 2023 — Cycle Momentum, an accelerator and open innovation platform, announces that Jennifer McDonald is joining as Senior Vice President of Investments and Hans Rogg-Desormeaux is promoted to the role of Analyst, to oversee the Origo program, an investment matching program recently launched. 

Jennifer McDonald is an active angel investor and advisor in climate technology. She brings over 20 years of experience scaling businesses for impact, with expertise in market validation, building teams and international expansion.

Before joining Cycle Momentum, she led strategy, product and operations as Chief Operating Officer at Moka Financial Technologies (acquired by MOGO). Jennifer’s earlier career focused on access to finance in emerging markets. She led product development as Director of Strategic Advisory at Women’s World Banking and, as Deputy General Manager in the Procredit banking group, she was responsible for scaling lending to small businesses. 

Jennifer holds an MA in Development Economics from the University of Sussex and a BA (Honours) in Economics and Political Science from Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College.

Jennifer McDonald, Senior Vice President of Investments at Cycle Momentum
Hans Rogg-Desormeaux Analyst at Cycle Momentum

Hans Rogg-Desormeaux brings two years of experience recruiting top climate tech startups to Cycle Momentum’s accelerator and innovation programs. He has provided valuable expertise to build our internal database and tracking system. 

Hans began his journey at Cycle Momentum with an internship as a recruitment and database analyst in 2021. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from McGill University and has passed Level 1 of the CFA exam in August 2023. Cycle Momentum is proud of how far he has come, and recognizes his achievements.

“Cycle Momentum is pleased to welcome Jennifer as our new Senior Vice President of Investments. Jennifer’s addition to the team will help Cycle Momentum launch the Origo program and support innovative climate tech startups in Quebec. Her strong background and experience with startups  will also be val-

-uable for entrepreneurs looking to position their venture for growth” said Patrick Gagné, CEO of Cycle Momentum. “Similarly, we are delighted to promote Hans to the role of Analyst in the investment team, where his resourcefulness and analytical skills will contribute strongly to scaling the Origo program”. 

Cycle Momentum

Cycle Momentum is an accelerator and open innovation platform that brings together an international collective of entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. Our mission is to find innovative solutions to the major ecological challenges facing humanity. Member of the Cycle Capital Platform, Cycle Momentum provides entrepreneurs with training workshops, networking sessions and mentoring, and works with leading companies to stimulate technology acquisition and integration. To increase the impact of its programs, Cycle Momentum has brought together several local and international investment funds as part of its Circle of Partner Funds, whose members are involved with participating startups.

Cycle Momentum can count on the financial support of the Gouvernement du Quebec, Cycle Capital, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, Fasken, PricewaterhouseCoopers and  the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good.

For more information on Cycle Momentuml, visit here.

Cycle Capital and Cycle Momentum announce the appointment of Catherine Bérubé as Chairperson of the Board of Cycle Momentum

Montréal, October 25, 2023 – Cycle Capital and Cycle Momentum announce the appointment of Catherine Bérubé, Partner at Cycle Capital, as the board’s new Chairperson at Cycle Momentum. Catherine will succeed Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital, who has chaired Cycle Momentum for the past nine years. 

Catherine Bérubé, Partner at Cycle Capital and new Chairperson of the Board of Cycle Momentum

“Claude Vachet, Patrick Gagné and I are very pleased to see Catherine take on this new role, and she is the ideal person to support  Cycle Momentum’s next phase of growth. She has been instrumental in delivering the new collaboration with the government of Quebec including in crafting the new Origo program.” Having been the Chairperson of the Board at Cycle Momentum for nearly a decade, Andrée-Lise Méthot adds, “I’m leaving with a sense of accomplishment and, above all, of passing on to the next generation an organization that is healthy and well-funded, with a fantastic team and a mission to develop high-quality climatetech entrepreneurs.” 

Patrick Gagné, CEO of Cycle Momentum, said, “Cycle Momentum’s team and Catherine have been working together for many years. We are excited to strengthen our collaboration to help climatetech startups access capital and enable us to scale the acceleration and open innovation programs, as well as the Origo matching funding program, in the years ahead. I’d also like to highlight the scope of Andrée-Lise’s work for the climate technology ecosystem. Without her, the organization’s development would not have been the same, and I would like to thank her on behalf of the entire Cycle Momentum team and the members of our Board of Directors.”

Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner at Cycle Capital and Catherine Bérubé, Partner at Cycle Capital and new Chairperson of the Board of Cycle Momentum

Catherine joined Cycle Capital in 2014. Her key responsibilities for Cycle Capital have included managing the firm’s “impact investing” practice, investor relations and public affairs. She also leads Cycle Central – a climatetech Innovation hub. In addition, Catherine sits on the boards of Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) and SWITCH. She is also a Member of CVCA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Cycle Capital

Cycle Capital is a leading ClimateTech venture capital platform scaling impactful, sustainable innovation. Founded in 2009, Cycle Capital invests across North America, Europe and Asia in growing companies commercializing solutions to the major ecological challenges and contributing to a net-zero transition. Cycle Capital is the founder of Cycle Momentum Accelerator + Innovation Engine. Cycle Capital has developed an ESG and impact assessment methodology integrated into the investment workflow from the pre-investment phase to the exit of the portfolio company. 

For more information on Cycle Capital, visit here.

 

Cycle Momentum

Cycle Momentum is an accelerator and open innovation platform that brings together an international collective of entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. Our mission is to find innovative solutions to the major ecological challenges facing humanity. Member of the Cycle Capital Platform, Cycle Momentum provides entrepreneurs with training workshops, networking sessions and mentoring, and works with leading companies to stimulate technology acquisition and integration. In order to increase the impact of its programs, Cycle Momentum has brought together several local and international investment funds as part of its Circle of Partner Funds, whose members are involved with participating startups.

Cycle Momentum can count on the financial support of the Gouvernement du Quebec, Cycle Capital, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, Fasken, PricewaterhouseCoopers  and  the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good.

For more information on Cycle Momentuml, visit here.

Quebec grants $22.25 million to Cycle Momentum to support entrepreneurship in climate technologies

Montreal, October 16, 2023 — The Government of Quebec is providing $22.25 million to Cycle Momentum as part of a 5-year partnership, enabling the accelerator to scale new Climate Tech startups and launch an investment matching program named Origo program. The announcement was made today by the Minister of the Environment, Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks, and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, Mr. Benoit Charette.

Highlights:

  • A 5-year agreement of $22.25 million to continue acceleration programs and create new projects
  • This financing will support 5 acceleration programs per year for a total of 125 companies, and the creation of a bursary program
  • From that amount, $12.25 million is earmarked for the Origo program, a program to encourage investment in innovative Climate Tech entrepreneurship in Québec
From left to right: Patrick Gagné, CEO of Cycle Momentum - Jennifer McDonald, senior vice president of Investments for Cycle Momentum - Nivatha Balendra, founder and CEO of Dispersa - M. Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region - Andrée-Lise Méthot, Chair of the Board at Cycle Momentum and Founder and Managing Partner at Cycle Capital.

The funding will accelerate the growth of Cycle Momentum’s programs, with a commitment to conduct 5 acceleration programs annually, benefiting 125 companies in the next 5 years. Alongside this initiative is launched the investment matching funding program, named Origo program, aimed at supporting startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. The Origo program is open to Cycle Momentum’s accelerated companies and also to other Climate Tech companies based in Quebec.

Through this partnership, Cycle Momentum aims to achieve the following key objectives:

  • Accelerate the development of the ecosystem and build a green economy based on Quebec technology companies with solid intellectual property that have a positive impact on the environment
  • Increase investments in Quebec companies at the pre-seed and seed stages
  • Attract startups in Quebec

Origo Program propelled by Cycle Momentum

The primary objective of Cycle Momentum with the Origo program is to address the challenges faced by startups in accessing funding during the pre-seed and seed stages. The investments will be provided in the form of equity or quasi-equity vehicles, aligned with investments made by members of the Circle of Partner Funds. The Cycle Momentum Origo program will invest $150,000 in funding in approximately 10 companies each year, with the potential for follow-on investments.

Quotes

“New technologies are essential to the success of the energy and climate transition, both in Quebec and around the world. By funding the emergence of these new technologies, Quebec is once again positioning itself as a leader in the fight against climate change.” – Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region.

“Cycle Momentum is pleased to pursue its collaboration with the Government of Quebec. Through this announcement, Cycle Momentum will expand its services while addressing the critical funding gaps faced by pre-seed and seed stage companies. Cycle Capital’s platform is proud to gather its investors’ ecosystem around some of the most promising Climate Tech startups in Quebec.” – Andrée-Lise Méthot Chair of the Board at Cycle Momentum and Founder and Managing Partner at Cycle Capital.

“Entrepreneurial support and access to capital are crucial in the development and commercialization of solutions to global environmental challenges. This partnership allows us to expand our programs and fill the funding gap for innovative technology entrepreneurship at the pre-seed and seed stages while attracting foreign and strategic investments into Quebec companies.” – Patrick Gagné, CEO of Cycle Momentum.

CYCLE MOMENTUM LAUNCHES A NEW ACCELERATION PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CIRCULAR INNOVATION FUND

THE CIRCULAR INNOVATION FUND AND CYCLE MOMENTUM ANNOUNCE THE FIRST COHORT OF THE ACCELERATION PROGRAM 2023 GLOBAL EDITION DEDICATED TO THE BEYOND PLASTIC AND UPCYCLING SECTORS

With this program, we aim to nurture selected pre-seed and seed-stage companies within the circular economy to bolster investment in an underserved sector, de-risk future CIF investments, and support the build-out of a broader collaborative ecosystem of circular companies at all stages of commercialization.

A PROGRAM TO ADDRESS A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

Today’s economy is hugely wasteful. Resulting from a system based on the linear take-make-waste model, resource extraction and processing accounts for more than 90% of biodiversity and freshwater loss, while 45% of global GHG emissions stem from how things are made and used, how we grow our food, and how we manage our land and resources. The circular economy proposes a new framework defined by eliminating waste, circulating materials and resources, and regenerating nature.

The Acceleration program can help us take a step in the right direction as for Maya Hassa, Associate at the Circular Innovation Fund, “Innovation is the key to achieve a circular economy that can provide long-term sustainable solutions to the challenges of resource scarcity and environmental degradation.”

The facts are there. The linear take-make-waste model is no longer working for businesses, people, or the environment—the economics spell it out. On the flip side, the circular economy represents a USD$25 trillion market opportunity by 2050, unlocking USD 700 million in annual material cost savings in the consumer goods industry, among other benefits such as a higher disposable income for households and significant increases to national GDP. Most importantly, transitioning to a circular system can reduce our carbon emissions by up to 48% by 2030.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES TO FIND EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS

Three targets are locked in, waste reduction, sustainable and circular use of natural resources and measurable but also auditable impact. How will this program allow us to reach them? According to Marius Thebault Associate at the Circular Innovation Fund, “This acceleration program will provide us with access to a wider pool of innovative ideas and offer invaluable support and mentorship for our portfolio companies, thus allowing us to stay ahead of the curve when identifying and investing in the most promising circular economy projects.”

Two main sectors are aimed at. Beyond Plastic, with new materials for barrier applications replacing plastic and Upcycling, with supply chain waste valorisation. More specifically, for Beyond Plastic we are looking for fiber, PCR, biobased solutions for advanced packaging and other barrier applications. For Upcycling we are seeking coproduct, waste or CO2 valorisation through innovative upcycling technologies.

AN OPPORTUNITY WITH VARIOUS BENEFITS FOR PROMISING STARTUPS

For Patrick Gagné, CEO of Cycle Momentum, the members of the cohort will be the winners from this project since “The goal of our Accelerator programs is to support companies that provide solutions to climate change by helping them maximize their venture capital funding potential. I look forward to meeting the entrepreneurs in Circular Innovation Fund’s 2023 Accelerator Program cohort and working with them to achieve their goals and enable them to make a significant impact in the areas of supercycling and alternatives to plastics.”

The Circular Innovation Fund’s 2023 Accelerator Program advantages are clearly identified:

  • Visibility and privileged access to our strategic network of over 120 institutional and corporate investors.
  • Investments of €100K and opportunity to develop strategic partnerships with key market leaders.
  • Potential to expand your customer base and become a strategic supplier to major market leaders like L’Oréal, Masonite, Axens, and more.
  • Access to infrastructure and various experts in research and development, manufacturing, and engineering, to support the development of your technology and growth of your business.
  • Visibility of your company through our robust communication campaign on social networks.
  • Opportunity to present your company and technology in front of senior executives and of renowned experts, entrepreneurs, and investors.