Amsterdam Circular is a circular chain accelerator (circulator) that provides chain financing services for circular startups. We offer a methodology that helps participants to form and fund value chains that unlock new value from circular revenue models, while helping the city to halve its raw material use by 2030.
“Amsterdam Circular is a chain financing program that seeks to bridge the funding gap for early stage circular ventures, by connecting them with chain partners, as well as private and public investors. This program exists to help founders fund their vision for a circular future.”
Guy Vincent
Circularity, Circular Financing, Internationalisation
Chain Financing for Circular Startups
Circular startups face a lack of financing options and mostly struggle to raise capital from venture capital firms or banks. Our goal is helping circular startups to accelerate revenue growth through chain partnerships, while gaining access to circular finance – primarily through chain financing and co-financing from public and private investors.
Participation is cost-free and equity-free, thanks to the City of Amsterdam and AMS Institute. The top ten selected ventures are expected to participate in the program and join the Amsterdam Circular ecosystem event on 12 December 2024.
How Do Circular Startups Benefit?
By participating in Amsterdam Circular, you'll gain access to chain training, chain partnerships, and chain financing. You'll also have access to international researchers at AMS Institute, and the opportunity to test your solution in the real world at the Marineterrein Living Lab. In addition to these benefits, you will receive support in:
- Growing revenues through chain partnerships
- Raising capital from chain partners and/or co-financiers
- Unlocking new value from circular revenue models, such as product-as-a-service and reverse logistics
- Gaining education and workshops on chain financing, circular value chains, circular financing, and more
- Increasing your chain’s resilience by making it shorter, leaner, and higher quality
- Connections with AMS Institute, City of Amsterdam, ROM InWest, Provincie Noord Holland, Invest-NL, etc.
“For circular entrepreneurs to be successful, they need to develop multi-stakeholder revenue models with their chain partners. I’m confident that Amsterdam Circular will play an important role in driving chain financing forward and providing the financial and legal support circular entrepreneurs need.”
Elisa Achterberg, CEO & Co-Founder, CiSe Network
About The Program
Amsterdam Circular was initiated by the City of Amsterdam with AMS Institute in 2023 to support circular startups with access to financing. By stimulating collaborations between circular startups and chain partners, with professional supervision from chain directors, Amsterdam Circular strengthens circular ecosystems and unlocks new value from circular business models across the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region. There are no costs or equity to join, just a willingness to experiment and share your learnings to help other circular startups.
“Amsterdam Circular helps founders connect with local and international investors to scale their impact in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area and beyond.”
Bas Beekman, Program Director at StartupAmsterdam
About The Program
Amsterdam Circular is initiated by the City of Amsterdam with AMS Institute and Rockstart to support 20 circular startups per year. We have worked on circular financing with founders from Aectual, African Clean Energy, Agurotech, Cargoroo, Foodlogica, MX3D, Quicargo, Roboat and more. There are no costs or equity to join, just a willingness to experiment and share your learnings to help other circular startups.
Keep an eye on our LinkedIn for news and updates on next editions >>
Photos by Tian Daphne