Amsterdam Circular is a cost-free financing program organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam. It aims to bridge the funding gap for early-stage circular ventures by connecting them with private and public investors, while also exploring alternative financing options for startups.
The startups in this program focus on organic residual flows and are set to accelerate their circular value chains, contributing to the City of Amsterdam's mission to halve its raw material use by 2030.
For the third edition the top 10 startups are:
Top 10 Startup's logo's joining edition #3
Circulair Houtcentrum
Repairing and upcycling rejected wooden pallets.
Circulair Houtcentrum repairs and upcycles wooden pallets and other discarded wood products. By focusing on reusing these pallets, they aim to reduce waste and create reusable materials for construction and other industries.
Primal Soles
Slippers and insoles from cork.
Primal Soles creates high-performance, circular footwear, including slippers and insoles made primarily from cork. The company serves consumers as well as large brands and hotel chains, offering a takeback system for used slippers and shoe insoles to enhance circularity.
Unwaste
Upcycling coffee grounds and orange peel into soap and shampoo bars.
Unwaste turns coffee grounds and orange peels into sustainable care products like soap and shampoo bars. They also offer B2B liquid hand soaps and natural air fresheners, giving waste materials a second life in everyday products.
De Tweede Jeugd
Discarded bread turned into toasties.
De Tweede Jeugd prevents food waste by using surplus bread from bakeries to create new high-value products, such as toasties. Their ingredients are sourced locally and prioritize plant-based, sustainable solutions.
Alex in Wonderland
Healthy, plant-based meals in reusable jars.
Alex in Wonderland offers delicious, plant-based meals delivered around Amsterdam via electric cargo bikes. Meals are stored in smart fridges (Wonderbots) and packaged in jars that are collected, washed, and reused, reducing packaging waste.
Veza
BNPL for produce wholesalers and source for ugly fruits and vegetables.
Veza provides a solution that combines Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financing for produce wholesalers and access to surplus and “ugly” fruits and vegetables. Their two main products, VEZA Pay and VEZA Marketplace, help reduce waste and improve capital flow for wholesalers.
Droppie
Brick and mortar deposits and returns.
Droppie has developed a new system for consumer recycling, allowing users to “drop” their recyclable materials, which are then sorted for efficient processing. The Droppie app offers consumers insights into their recycling habits while improving access to statiegeld systems.
Food for Skin
Real, ugly fruits used in skin care products.
Food for Skin is a local skincare brand that uses pure ingredients, including “ugly” vegetables and fruits. Their products contain no microplastics, perfumes, or parabens, and they upcycle ingredients such as sunflower seeds, tomato peels, and discarded avocados.
Mycofarming
Biological system to collect nutrients from water bodies.
Mycofarming’s biological system extracts nutrients from water bodies and diverts food waste from landfills. The resulting compost, rich in microorganisms, helps green local landscapes, such as gardens and community spaces, and contributes to carbon sequestration.
Grow it Away
Organic waste pickup and composting service subscription.
Grow it Away offers a subscription-based organic waste collection and composting service. By diverting food waste from landfills and creating nutrient-rich compost, they support local gardening and sustainability projects while reducing environmental impact.
