Circular Economy grants — page 6
658 listings tracked right now · page 6 of 14
Circular economy funding has moved from a niche industrial-decarbonization sub-theme to a top-line priority in the EU (Circular Economy Action Plan, Horizon Cluster 6), the UK (DEFRA Resources & Waste Strategy), and a growing list of MDB programmes. The 2024–2026 wave concentrates on textiles, electronics, plastics, and battery materials. Listed below are the open circular economy grant calls in that landscape, taken from each funder's own notice and re-checked on every refresh.
Industrial grants are capital-heavy and correspondingly slow. The recurring large pots are the EU Innovation Fund, the US Industrial Demonstrations Program, and the UK Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, all of which expect a named site, a credible counterfactual for emissions saved, and matched investment already committed. Smaller circular-economy and waste calls come through EU LIFE, national environment agencies and local authorities, where the eligibility is broader and the cheques are far smaller.
This page lists open circular economy grants currently tracked by Raise Lens — 658 of them right now, sorted with the soonest deadline first. Every listing has been classified against the sustainability taxonomy rather than matched on keywords, so what appears here is circular economy work rather than anything whose description happens to mention it.
The funders publishing circular economy grants here include Optiver Foundation, SpinLab Accelerator, Soulmates Ventures, among 2 others. Who is funding matters as much as what: eligibility, reporting burden and the realistic timeline to a decision vary far more between funders than between individual calls.
Geographic coverage on this page spans SOUTH-ASIA, NORTH-AMERICA, GLOBAL, EUROPE, LATAM. Eligibility is usually tied to where the work happens or where the applying organisation is registered, and the two are not always the same — worth checking before investing time in an application.
The Ocean Cleanup – Mumbai Interceptor
••••• Foundation
This grant funds deployment of The Ocean Cleanup's Interceptor technology to capture plastic waste in Mumbai's waterways before it reaches the ocean. It is a partnership opportunity for organizations working on ocean pollution reduction and plastic waste interception in high-impact waterways.
Startup Acceleration Program
••••• organisation
A no-equity, no-fee accelerator programme offering coworking space, mentorship, corporate partner access, and up to €50,000 in free funding for early-stage startups developing innovative and sustainable solutions. Sector-agnostic but focused on deep-tech, agtech, energy, and sustainability innovations.
A European venture fund's €50M Article 9 SFDR sustainability initiative
••••• organisation
A €50M Article 9 SFDR-compliant sustainable investment fund providing seed and Series A capital (up to €3.3M per company) to early-stage startups across cleantech, energy, mobility, water, food, healthcare, education, and circular economy sectors in Europe and North America. The fund prioritizes measurable environmental and social impact outcomes aligned with EU sustainability regulations.
a Japanese tech company's environment-focused innovation fund
••••• organisation
Sony Innovation Fund: Environment invests in early-stage startups developing new technologies to address global environmental challenges including climate change, resource management, harmful chemicals, and biodiversity loss. The fund is open to founders building climate-tech and cleantech solutions ready to scale.
Food and Agriculture Scale-up Accelerator
••••• organisation
A scale-up accelerator program for established food and agriculture companies seeking to reach mainstream adoption, focusing on plant-based food, sustainable seafood, agtech, foodtech, and food waste solutions. Targets companies with early product-market fit looking to scale operations.
Challenger Digital & Green
••••• organisation
Non-equity accelerator programme supporting early-stage startups developing digital technology solutions for green innovation across Europe. Provides mentorship, resources, and support to help climate-tech and cleantech founders scale their ventures.
Challenger Sustainability
••••• organisation
Non-equity accelerator programme supporting early-stage startups developing sustainability and green technology solutions across Europe. Provides mentorship, resources, and support to help founders scale cleantech and renewable energy ventures.
Sustainable Lifestyle Investment Community
••••• organisation
The funder Studio Investment Community is an investor network funding early-stage companies building sustainable and desirable lifestyle businesses under a transparent, equity-sharing Steward Ownership model. The programme supports company creation and incubation with a focus on impact-driven ventures in sustainable living.
Eco-Challenge / Eco-Reto
••••• Trust
This grant promotes eco-conscious and sustainable business models in emerging economies, supporting entrepreneurs and change-makers who develop innovative environmental solutions. It targets early-stage ventures and established businesses seeking to scale sustainable practices across sectors.
a Western Hemisphere innovation competition for sustainable development
••••• Trust
TIC Americas is a competition for innovative solutions that implement the Sustainable Development Goals across the Western Hemisphere through productive business models. It targets entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators developing scalable solutions in sustainability and development sectors.
A Canadian Venture Perpetual Holding Company
••••• organisation
The funder is a perpetual holding company deploying over $700 million in long-term equity investments in innovative technologies and businesses advancing clean energy, water, waste, and advanced sustainable chemicals. The fund targets early-to-growth stage companies solving core industrial decarbonization and circular economy challenges.
A Corporate Venture Fund for Food Innovation
••••• organisation
Rich Products Ventures is a corporate venture fund investing in early-stage and growth-stage companies developing food-tech and sustainable food-system innovations, including plant-based proteins, climate-friendly ingredients, food waste reduction, sustainable packaging, and supply-chain automation. The fund targets entrepreneurs and companies advancing better-for-you CPG products, alternative proteins, and foodservice technology.
A sustainability-focused venture fund invests in technology companies building resilient, responsible, and sustainable global supply chains, with a…
••••• organisation
Early-stage venture capital fund investing in technology companies building resilient, sustainable global supply chains with focus on labor rights, ethical sourcing, and traceability. Targets startups developing AI/ML, blockchain, fintech, and computer vision solutions for supply chain transparency and worker protection.
Spain Foodtech Acceleration Programme
••••• organisation
A 6-month acceleration programme for early-stage Spanish agri-foodtech startups offering mentoring, corporate partnerships, and internationalisation support across the full food value chain. Targets ventures in agtech, alternative proteins, sustainable packaging, precision nutrition, smart distribution, and deep tech applied to food systems.
Pre-Seed Impact Venture Fund
••••• organisation
Pre-seed venture capital fund investing in early-stage startups building solutions in sustainability (environment, built world) and social good (technology, people) sectors with venture-scale positive impact. Targets US-headquartered startups or those planning to relocate to the US.
A US Asset Manager – Resource Efficiency Investment Vehicle
••••• organisation
The funder Partners is seeking mid-market private equity investments in Resource Efficiency businesses valued between $250m–$2.5bn, leveraging technology to drive sustainable value creation. This is a direct equity investment vehicle targeting established resource-efficiency companies, not a grant or donation programme.
A Global Circular Economy Venture Fund
••••• Fund
A global venture capital fund investing in growth-stage companies advancing circular economy innovation, including new materials, recycling, packaging, and clean technologies. Eligible companies operate across North America, Europe, and Asia and must demonstrate traction in circular business models or waste/resource efficiency.
a sustainable packaging and materials investment fund
••••• organisation
ESPIF is an investment fund targeting sustainable packaging and industrial innovation, with SFDR sustainability disclosures. It funds companies and projects advancing circular economy and low-carbon materials in the packaging and industrial sectors.
A venture fund investment partnership
••••• organisation
EEI Booster1 is an early-stage venture fund investing in startups across energy transition, sustainable mobility, and smart society sectors focused on decarbonization and environmental challenges. The fund targets companies addressing climate and environmental solutions in renewable energy, transportation electrification, and circular economy.
Startup Acceleration Programme
••••• organisation
This is a startup acceleration programme that provides financing, customer acquisition support, and business model development for GreenTech startups across energy, construction, circular economy, and environmental technology sectors. It targets companies from early stage through scale-up phase.
Early Stage Investments
••••• organisation
This is an investment programme connecting early-stage green-tech startups with investors across energy, construction, circular economy, and environmental technology sectors. It targets pre-seed and seed stage companies seeking capital and market access.
Market Access Program
••••• organisation
LACI's Market Access Program connects early-stage cleantech startups from its portfolio with potential customers and strategic partners to accelerate commercialisation and market entry. The programme is a non-dilutive support service for portfolio companies at the pre-commercial and early commercial stages.
100+ Accelerator Program
••••• organisation
The funder Program provides up to $100K in funding and pilot implementation support for early-stage sustainability startups across water, climate, packaging, agriculture, and biodiversity sectors. It is co-funded by major consumer goods corporations (AB InBev, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Mondelēz, Unilever) and targets startups ready to pilot solutions within corporate supply chains.
Climate and Environmental Venture Capital Fund
••••• organisation
A venture capital fund investing in seed, start-up, and growth-stage companies advancing climate protection across green energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, green transport, and smart cities. Eligible companies operate in Hungary, Visegrád countries, and neighboring EU member states, with funding up to $954,000 per investment.
Impact-Focused Venture Accelerator – IP Acceleration Program
••••• organisation
This programme accelerates early-stage climate tech ventures in food, agriculture, mobility, energy, and circular economy by validating and commercialising intellectual property as a core asset strategy. It targets innovators across the Middle East, South Asia, and Asia Pacific regions.
BlueTech for Waste
••••• organisation
BlueTech for Waste is a call for blue technology solutions that address waste management challenges, likely targeting ocean-related or water-based waste problems. The grant supports cleantech innovators developing waste-reduction technologies with potential ocean or coastal applications.
Sustainable Food System Venture Fund
••••• organisation
Early-stage venture fund investing in founders building sustainable food system innovations across five themes: alternatives, productivity, consumer engagement, waste reduction, and essential reinvention. Targets pre-seed and seed-stage food-tech and agri-food startups.
A Global Food Ecosystem Fund
••••• organisation
The funder invests in scalable, category-defining businesses across the full food value chain, including alternative proteins, food technology, supply chains, and consumer platforms. The fund backs founders and operators at various stages seeking to redefine global food systems within the $9 trillion market.
Aliment Capital Core Fund
••••• organisation
The funder's Core Fund invests in companies advancing food systems resilience through supply chain innovation, IT, robotics, and life sciences. It targets established and growing companies deploying sustainable food production, safety, and circular economy solutions.
CoLab Tech: Programme focused on emerging technologies in sustainability, ingredients, packaging, and processing
••••• organisation
CoLab Tech funds emerging technology innovations in sustainability, ingredients, packaging, and processing for the snacking industry. The programme targets startups, SMEs, and research institutions developing solutions that advance circular economy and food-systems sustainability within Mondelez's value chain.
Emerging Tech Businesses
••••• organisation
Mondelēz invests in emerging technology companies developing sustainable food ingredients, packaging, consumer experiences, and supply chain innovations. The fund targets tech startups and scale-ups that can strengthen Mondelēz's innovation pipeline in food sustainability.
Angel Syndicate
••••• organisation
Angel syndicate investing capital for UK-based climate tech and environmental businesses at pre-seed and seed stages, alongside the funder's main funds. Targets early-stage startups across climate tech verticals including energy, transport, recycling, built environment, and AI-enabled solutions.
EIS Fund: Seed-stage investment fund targeting UK climate tech businesses with EIS advanced assurance, focusing on…
••••• organisation
EIS Fund is a seed-stage investment vehicle targeting UK-based climate tech companies with post-revenue traction across energy, transport, recycling, and built environment sectors. It provides equity investment up to $625,000 to help companies scale from £1m toward £10m+ in revenues.
SEIS Fund: Pre-seed investment fund targeting UK climate tech businesses with SEIS advanced assurance, investing in…
••••• organisation
Pre-seed investment fund for UK-based climate tech startups across energy, recycling, transport, AI, and built environment sectors, supporting companies from pre-revenue through early post-revenue stages up to £1m in revenues. Offers equity investment with SEIS advanced assurance tax benefits.
A Sustainable Impact Fund & Investments
••••• organisation
The funder invests in purpose-driven, sustainable companies at pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages through angel investments or dedicated funds, focusing on circular economy and ESG-aligned businesses across People, Products, and Planet verticals. The fund targets entrepreneurs building solutions in sustainability sectors including circular economy, waste reduction, and social enterprise.
Climate & Impact Fund
••••• organisation
The funder invests in sustainable businesses across Asia that address climate change and social inequality, targeting companies capable of mitigating over 1 gigatonne of greenhouse gas emissions or improving 10+ million lives within a decade. The fund focuses on clean energy, alternative proteins, emissions reduction, and circular economy sectors.
Growth Equity Fund Targeting Industrial Decarbonization
••••• organisation
Growth equity fund investing in industrial decarbonization companies across food, energy, water, and waste sectors that require transformation of physical assets and supply chains. Targets companies with hardware, software, and services solutions competitive with incumbent technologies on cost and performance.
Corporate Environmental Venture Capital Fund
••••• organisation
Patagonia's corporate venture capital fund invests profits into early-stage startups developing scalable solutions for environmental crises, with focus on regenerative agriculture, circular materials, and clean chemistry. Eligible companies must address systemic challenges in land, water, air, and biodiversity, with strategic relevance to apparel and food sector decarbonization.
Boutique Venture Fund
••••• organisation
The funder is a boutique venture firm investing equity in purpose-led, mission-driven companies at early stages across renewable energy, healthcare, sustainability, and consumer sectors. The fund targets founders tackling meaningful challenges in energy transition, health innovation, and sustainable business models.
Green Entrepreneurship
••••• Foundation
This programme supports entrepreneurial initiatives developing sustainable green business models with an environmental focus. It is open to organisations and individuals seeking to launch or scale environmentally-focused ventures.
Green Spaces: A funding programme focused on environmental protection and green space development within communities in Romania
••••• Foundation
This grant funds environmental protection and green space development projects within Romanian communities, supporting habitat restoration, urban greening, and biodiversity conservation. It is open to organizations working on environmental and nature-based solutions in Romania.
Impact-Focused Fund Family (BV1–BV4)
••••• organisation
The funder Fund Family (BV1–BV4) backs impact-driven founders building solutions in digital health, climate and nature, equality and education, and sustainable consumption. The fund has deployed approximately €100M across 60+ investments since 2003 and continues to seek early-stage ventures in these impact sectors.
a European impact-focused venture fund
••••• organisation
The funder 5 is an impact-focused venture fund investing in early-stage startups across digital health, education, climate, nature, and sustainable consumption that seek both social/environmental impact and financial returns. The fund targets founders building scalable businesses in these four thematic areas.
Deeptech Venture Fund
••••• organisation
SNØCAP is an institutional venture fund investing in early-stage deeptech companies developing advanced materials, molecules, and manufacturing solutions that reduce industrial costs and environmental pollution. The fund targets IP-rich startups with academic or self-funded R&D origins at pre-seed to seed stage seeking their first institutional capital.
A Climate-Focused Growth Equity Fund (current)
••••• Fund
The funder provides growth-stage private equity investment in purpose-driven companies focused on climate solutions, regenerative food systems, and human elevation (equity, wellness, health). It targets entrepreneurial management teams seeking intentional growth and long-term value creation through authentic partnerships.
Improved Cookstoves Initiative
••••• Fund
This grant funds the deployment of fuel-efficient, cleaner cookstoves to women and families in East Africa, supported by a circular carbon finance model that shares profits with communities. It targets energy access, climate mitigation, and gender equity simultaneously.
Sustainable & Impact Investing
••••• organisation
The funder operates an investment programme that integrates sustainability and impact objectives across multiple asset classes, targeting long-term resilience through clean power, water, and supply chain solutions. The programme is open to investable entities advancing clean energy, water security, and sustainable supply chains.
A Global Sustainability Impact Grant Programme
••••• Institute
The funder Sustainability Impact Grant funds pioneering research, innovative solutions, and community-driven environmental projects with a global scope on an ongoing basis. It is open to organizations and initiatives working across sustainability and environmental challenges worldwide.