Today, we’re celebrating a significant milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable future. Through our strategic partnership with the IKEA Foundation, we are contributing to a wave of innovation in the waste and circular economy sectors across Kenya and India.

The Waste & Circularity Investment Innovation Fund, a cornerstone of the Access to Green Finance project, will empower six extraordinary organizations with US $700,000 to supercharge green growth.

Reimagining Waste: The Power of Circular Economy

Imagine a world where waste is minimized, resources are endlessly reused, and economic prosperity flourishes alongside environmental well-being. That’s the promise of the circular economy, and the goal is to help that promise get closer in Kenya and India by standing behind those with knowledge of the business ecosystem, motivation, and understanding of the entrepreneurial spirit to achieve it.

Innovative practitioners and even the most proven businesses need help reaching and expanding their potential. That’s why we’re pleased to announce the six recipients of our Investment Innovation Fund, carefully selected from nearly 100 applicants.

Meet the Changemakers

These six entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) are not just experts in their field; they’re catalysts for change, working tirelessly to channel capital and support to the businesses that will build the green economy of tomorrow.

Kenya

• Circle Innovation and KOIS: Will launch the “Circularity LaunchPad” to actively co-design innovative finance mechanisms for early-stage investors and support circularity and waste SGBs to build relevant traction to attract investments.”
• Smart Regional Consultants (SRC) & Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV):  Will run a comprehensive program to prepare Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) in the waste and circularity sector for investment, including facilitating matchmaking with investors.
• Agri Frontier: The Agri Frontier Growth Hub accelerator will launch an 18-month program to support waste and circularity small and growing businesses (SGBs) in Kenya, focusing on increasing the pipeline of investment-ready SGBs and catalysing $10 million in investment.
• Sote Hub: They’re harnessing the power of digital technology to revolutionize marine plastic waste management in coastal Kenya, creating a blueprint for other communities to follow.

India

• Upaya Social Ventures, Global Business Inroads (GBI), and rePurpose Global: Will run an investor and market-led accelerator program to increase capital to waste and circularity SGBs, offering a combination of low and high-touch support.
• IIM Calcutta Innovation Park will lead a consortium to fast-track the growth of selected SGBs and secure seed funding from investors.

Join the Circular Revolution

These awards are just the beginning. We’re committed to building a thriving ecosystem of circular businesses, creating jobs, reducing waste, and fostering a more sustainable future for all.

Want to be part of the change?

• Learn more about our Access to Green Finance project and how you can get involved.