Do you have a value proposition to boost Ireland’s circular economy? This new start-up competition wants to hear from you.
Irish circular innovation network Circuléire has just launched a new all-island competition for late-stage start-ups to showcase pioneering circular economy products and services.
The inaugural All-Island Circular Venture Awards, led by Circuléire and funded by the Irish Government, is looking for innovations that contribute to Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon, regenerative economy.
Think design for circularity, remanufacturing, repair, circular supply chains, reverse logistics or other circular economy ideas, writes the Circuléire team.
Launched in 2020, Circuléire is run by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and funded by the Irish Government. It is a public-private network that aims to demystify and drive circular business innovation in Ireland with more than 50 cross-sector members.
IMR is a not-for-profit research and technology organisation founded in 2014. It partners with industry to bridge the gap between technology and business, ensuring companies can harness the latest advancements to drive efficiency, productivity and sustainability.
Applications are open now
The All-Island Circular Venture Awards team is accepting applications until 30 October. Its aim is to attract companies with high potential to reshape how materials, components and products are used, reused, remanufactured and regenerated.
Shortlisted companies will get a chance to pitch to an audience of potential investors, industry leaders, policymakers and the media on 27 November at ESB’s head office and compete for prizes totalling €10,000 and access to one-to-one coaching sessions with international experts.
All shortlisted companies will receive promotional support from IMR’s Circular Economy Innovation Unit and will have the opportunity to feature as a case study on Circuléire’s website and social media channels.
To be eligible to apply, companies must operate on the island of Ireland and have moved beyond the ideation and prototype phases, with a measurable environmental or economic impact. The full list of criteria can be found at circuleire.ie.
“Ireland’s transition to a circular economy is not just an environmental imperative – it’s a strategic opportunity to unlock innovation, create green jobs, build resilient economies and enable communities to thrive,” said Dr Geraldine Brennan, director of Circular Economy Innovation at IMR, who led the design and launch of Circuléire.
“Pioneering circular ventures represent the bold thinking and collaborative spirit needed to redesign production and consumption system for a regenerative future.”
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
