Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches database for circular startups
©Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Innovation is key to accelerating the circular economy transition — and there are thousands of circular startups on the market right now, designing and developing innovative solutions to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is beginning the rollout of the full version of its circular startup database, designed to help businesses explore startups and drive the acceleration of the circular economy. Nearly 200 companies operating in the fashion and textiles industry across Asia, Europe, and North America feature on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Circular Start-up Index of more than 500 innovative start-ups, to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Only featuring start-ups from the foundation’s community, such as software provider Circular IQ, upcycling brand Broqué, and e-commerce platform Recurate, the index aims to facilitate innovation and accelerate the circular economy industry.
According to the organization, the index was created to address the challenge behind the financing and scaling circular business models, with the initiative hoping to help facilitate innovation through capital. Commenting on the launch, Ella Hedley, project manager of startups, at the foundation, said: "Designing a circular future requires radical innovation to rethink how our economy works. Thousands of circular startups are already on the case. But they need more support and investment. So we created the Circular Startup Index to create visibility of the breadth of circular startups on the market and help businesses discover suitable circular solutions."
