Circular accelerators accept applications

NextCycle Sustainable Packaging Accelerator and NextCycle Michigan, programs that provide business and technical support to projects that divert materials from landfills and keep resources in use, will accept applications through March 31.

Each accelerator program runs for six months, offering support to refine business and operational plans, analyze economic and environmental impacts, hone product/service features, create marketing elements, connect with value chain partners and identify funding pathways. Both programs end with a showcase where participants pitch their projects to a live audience with the chance to attract investors, win monetary awards and generate publicity.

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The programs are free and do not require equity share, but teams are asked to commit their time to participate in two in-person events, multiple virtual coaching sessions, and offline individual efforts to build their projects.

The NextCycle Sustainable Packaging Accelerator seeks applicants with solutions to improve the efficiency and recyclability of packaging with a specific focus on impacts in Michigan and Ohio. The program is driven by a coalition of leading organizations, including the Sustainability Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem (SHAPE); Michigan State University Research Foundation; Michigan State University; The Ohio State University; Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Resource Recycling Systems (RRS); and Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).

Eight teams will be selected to participate, with eligible entities including startups, entrepreneurs, businesses, institutions, nonprofits or a collaboration thereof.

Projects can focus on novel technologies, recyclable or reusable systems, waste-minimizing designs, bio-based alternatives or other solutions that increase the efficiency and recyclability of packaging used in the transport, distribution, storage, sale or use of goods.

A virtual group meeting is scheduled for March 4 at 4 p.m. ET to provide additional program information and allow attendees to ask questions about eligibility, the application process, selection criteria, time commitment, project types and more. Those interested in attending the meeting can register here.

NextCycle Michigan is an initiative of the EGLE that is designed to accelerate solutions that build capacity for material recovery, reuse and recycling in Michigan.

The program, in its fifth year, will select 15 to 18 projects focused on strengthening Michigan’s circular economy in terms of programs and Infrastructure and supply chain.

Programs and infrastructure projects are led by public sector entities to develop, scale or replicate successful systems (collection, authorities or shared infrastructure), expand residential/commercial access to recycling or composting or innovate in these areas and beyond, while supply chain projects are led by private sector or nonprofit entities and are focused on gaps in material collection, recovered material processing or end markets for reusable or recyclable materials in Michigan.

 NextCycle Michigan participants can include entrepreneurs, startups, businesses, nonprofit organizations, institutions, tribes, public agencies and local governments driven to divert materials from landfills in Michigan. Out-of-state organizations can be part of a team, however, the project must directly recover Michigan materials.

An informational virtual meeting is scheduled for March 6 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend to hear an overview of the program and to ask questions about eligibility, project types, selection criteria and more. Those interested can register online.