Our current economy is highly polluting, with a linear “take-make-waste” production model responsible for over 90% of the loss of biodiversity and fresh water. The circular economy offers a sustainable alternative, reducing waste, optimizing resources and regenerating nature. It represents a market opportunity worth $25,000 billion by 2050, saving the consumer goods industry $700 million a year. It also increases household purchasing power and GDP, while reducing carbon emissions by 48% by 2030.
About the Circular Innovation Fund
The Circular Innovation Fund (“CIF”) is a global growth-stage venture capital fund focused exclusively on circular innovation, striving to positively contribute to climate change mitigation and the circular use of resources. Led by Cycle Capital and Demeter – a team of financial entrepreneurs with years of cleantech-focused capital management experience – the fund’s mission is to accelerate the growth of circular innovation, close the loop on single-use waste and re-design our economy for a more sustainable future. With over €1.6B in assets under management, the combined investment platform is anchored in the ecological transition ecosystem, collaborating with over 120 key institutional and corporate co-investors and partners, and working closely with this network to bolster its portfolio.
About the program
The Circular Innovation Fund Acceleration Program aims 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.
The five selected companies
Aplantex is aiming at producing a large catalog of high value plant-based active ingredients to be used within the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agri-food markets. Our proprietary technology builds on the latest scientific developments in the “omics” field, with a practical, low cost and easily scalable industrial approach. By mastering, redirecting and optimizing the metabolism of our photosynthetic phytoreplicators, we are building the industrial capacity to supply the phytochemical ingredients’ market with any valuable product required by our clients.
Nanomox develop sustainable and cost-effective advanced materials and thin films, such as metal oxide particles, with sizes ranging from nano to macro, for widespread applications of today and tomorrow.
Our fine control of particle properties enables us to create advanced materials that are more efficient than conventional ones, which allows improvement of existing products and development of new ones.
Nfinite Nanotech is a pioneering advanced material company specializing in the production of intelligent nanocoatings for sustainable packaging solutions. With a mission to expedite the global objective of eradicating plastic waste, Nfinite is at the forefront of innovation. Their cutting-edge barrier coatings have the ability to enhance the durability of biodegradable packaging and enhance the recyclability of existing packaging, thereby prolonging product shelf life and significantly reducing plastic waste.
Novobiom provides innovative solutions for the ecological clean-up of heavily polluted natural resources. Relying on an innovative biotechnology platform and rupturing from the usual industrial practices, we enlarge the scope of existing techniques with a novel biological solution (Mycoremediation) for the treatment of contaminated waste. Currently focusing on tackling soil contamination, we introduce within the industry an efficient and competitive new way to managing and rehabilitating heavily contaminated industrial waste.
Sparxell develops brilliantly coloured pigments, glittering, metal-like and effect materials using plant-based ingredients. Spinning out from the University of Cambridge after years of research on photonics and structural colours from cellulose, Sparxell provides businesses with a low-carbon and performant alternative to traditional materials, from pigments to glitter, sequins and films.
THE CIRCULAR INNOVATION FUND ACCELERATION PROGRAM – INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2023 HAS ALREADY BEEN LAUNCHED, BUT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURS, INVESTORS, MANUFACTURERS AND OTHER PLAYERS IN THE CLEAN TECH ECOSYSTEM.