AMS Managing Director Kenneth Heijns
Amsterdam Circular is a cost-free financing program, organized together with Rockstart and the Municipality of Amsterdam, that seeks to bridge the funding gap for early-stage circular ventures by connecting them with private and public investors while exploring alternative forms of financing for startups.
The startups in this program focus on enabling a circular economy in various industries aiming to achieve both environmentally and socially sustainable outcomes. Ten teams pitched their business during the finals on September 21st. Let's meet the teams and learn more about their vision for a circular future!
Billie Wonder
Billie Wonder
Washable diapers and accessories
Many parents know this already, but while taking care of children, a lot of waste is produced. One of those sources of waste is for sure: diapers.
Billie Wonder tries to make a positive impact in that area. Their business improves the system of washable diapers to be easy to use and to grow with children in both size and absorption rates from newborn to potty trained. Moreover, they make their diapers from hemp.
Biosphere Solar
Biosphere Solar
Developing solar panels that can be repaired and recycled, as the various parts can be easily dismantled
Biosphere Solar develops solar panels, which are installed in the same way as conventional roof-top solar panels. However, the design does not use the glue (called an EVA laminant) used in conventional solar panels, enabling repairs, recycling and reducing degradation. The design is similar to insulating glass, where all components can be separated without contamination for high-value recycling. Moreover, components are transparently sourced from sustainable sources.
Key note by Harald Friedl
Carbon Equity
Climate-tech crowdfunding platform
Carbon Equity enables retail access to the world’s best (climate) impact venture capital and private equity funds through a curated marketplace. They diligence and select the world’s best climate venture capital, growth equity and buyout funds and pool investor capital together, unlocking access to top climate funds and building a global community of investors.
Circle Closet
Through Circle Closet the community shares wardrobes, using the full potential of all clothes.
Lenders start investing in pieces instead of buying fast fashion. Circle Closet creates the perfect wardrobe: lenders own their basics and the rest is flexible because of renting and lending.
Human Material Loop
Human Material Loop
Human Material Loop creates various kinds of textured and patterned fabrics using human hair, something that is discarded as waste.
Human Material Loop develops technologies, materials, and products from waste keratin protein fiber (hair) to deliver high-performance products for the textile industry with zero negative environmental impact. Essentially, they offer revenue stream diversification and cutting process costs. Using locally sourced, natural fiber currently incinerated or landfilled, they can reduce emissions during cultivation and eliminate overseas transport emissions.
Pretty Plastic
Pretty Plastic
Pretty Plastic produces facade claddings out of recycled plastic waste that look great, are safe in use, easy to apply and last for decades.
Pretty Plastic develops tiles that consist entirely of recycled PVC building material waste. In this way, they aim to make a positive impact on sustainable building.
Reflow
Reflow
Reflow creates sustainable 3D printing materials with recycled and upcycled plastic.
Reflow transforms discarded and biodegradable plastic into high-performance 3D printing materials. They identify source traceable inputs from consistent waste streams, apply material science to classify each stream by thermal and mechanical properties, and identify suitable applications within 3D printing, including interior design, automotive, engineering, product design, robotics, and many others.
Roboat
Roboat
Roboat offers add-on autonomy for new-builds and existing ships.
In their current development phase Roboat aims to automate the navigation of the boat. By implementing Roboat tech onboard newly build- or existing vessels, the crew on the bridge deck can be supported and eventually reduce the number of crew, ultimately moving towards unmanned boats.
Shift
Shift
A hybrid (online&online) program that educates, inspires and connects people to take action on sustainability.
Shift is a hybrid (online&online) program that educates, inspires and connects people while creating a physical attraction: the "temple of sustainability" that inspires people to take action.
Tiler
Tiler has developed patented technology for wirelessly charging e-bikes via the kickstand.
The Tile inductively charges TILER’s e-bike via the kickstand. TILER is developing a wireless charging solution for LEV’s to help corporate and public shared fleet providers with an easy-to-use, universal and scalable fast charging solution for both indoor and outdoor charging. TILER decreases the costs of charging for fleet providers up to 80%. TILER facilitates the growth of micro-mobility and helps cities to become human and green again.
Tiler
Photos by Tian Daphne