100+ Accelerator Circular Economy Challenge
Expired Impact Investor · Found: 2026-03-11 11:22
Circular economy challenge by the 100+ Accelerator targeting startups with circular economy solutions. Past deadline June 30, 2023; new rounds may open. Focus on innovative circular economy business models.
Source: https://www2.fundsforngos.org/environment/100-accelerators-circular-economy-challenge
Funding Details
- Funder
- 100+ Accelerator (AB InBev, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Mondelēz International, Unilever)
- Funding Goal
- To accelerate startups with innovative solutions to sustainability challenges — specifically within the Circular Economy challenge: eliminating waste through new packaging systems, recycling infrastructure, upcycling, and sourcing traceability, in partnership with six major consumer goods corporations.
- Funding Amount
- Up to $100,000 USD per startup pilot, equity-free. Lower budgets (e.g. $50,000) are encouraged for better scalability demonstration. (up to 100.000 €)
- Deadline
- 2025-07-11 (Fixed)
- How to Apply
- Applications for Cohort 7 open June 2, 2025 and close July 11, 2025. The process is multi-step: (1) Initial filtering by the 100+ Accelerator team, (2) Expert review by Subject Matter Experts, (3) Final selection involving corporate partners. Notification comes several weeks after applications close. Only one application per company is allowed, and applications cannot be edited after submission. Updates can be emailed to communications@100accelerator.com.
- Target Region
- Global (190 startups across 40 countries)
- Contact
- communications@100accelerator.com
- Official Page
- https://www.100accelerator.com
- Last Checked
- 2026-03-11 19:34
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Constraints
Summary
The 100+ Accelerator is a corporate-backed accelerator program founded in 2018, co-sponsored by six major consumer goods companies: AB InBev, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Mondelēz International, and Unilever. It provides up to $100,000 in equity-free pilot funding per startup, along with mentorship, training, and access to corporate partner networks and investors. The program has accelerated 190 startups across 40 countries over seven cohorts. The Circular Economy Challenge is one of seven thematic challenge areas. It focuses on eliminating waste and creating circular systems through five subchallenges: recycling/reuse/returnability, packaging material alternatives and innovations, new forms of packaging, upcycling, and sourcing traceability and reporting. The emphasis is heavily on corporate supply chain innovation, particularly packaging and consumer goods waste streams. Applications for Cohort 7 open June 2, 2025 and close July 11, 2025. Eligible applicants must be startups with a registered legal entity and a website. The program targets Seed to Series A stage companies but accepts later-stage applicants. Selection is based on fit with sustainability challenges, traction/product-market fit, team expertise, and pilot readiness. The program is global in scope with no geographic restrictions.
Historical Context
The 100+ Accelerator was founded in 2018 to support achievement of the UN SDGs. As of 2025, it has accelerated 190 startups across 40 countries over seven cohorts. Cohort 7 applications open June 2–July 11, 2025. The program runs annual cohorts with recurring application rounds.
Why it was added
CE/waste accelerator or incubator
Sources
- https://www2.fundsforngos.org/environment/100-accelerators-circular-economy-challenge
- https://www.100accelerator.com
- https://www.100accelerator.com/challenges
- https://www.100accelerator.com/challenges/circular-economy
- https://www.100accelerator.com/faq
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