Circular Austin Showcase and Accelerator Programs

Circular Austin Accelerator

The Circular Austin Accelerator helps local entrepreneurs combine social value creation with circular business principles. Participants receive free business training and coaching to help improve their concepts. The program ends with a practice pitch. The top three ideas will receive entry to compete at Circular Austin Showcase for a $2,000 prize. 

Learn	Receive free business training and coaching from professionals.
Connect	Network with like-minded organizations in a group setting to improve your idea.
Impact	Increase the positive impact your idea can have the community.

Application and eligibility

Applications for the 2024 Circular Austin Accelerator program will reopen in Spring 2025.

Eligible Applicants must meet these requirements: 

• Must have an idea focused on the circular economy, zero waste or sustainability. 
• Must have an annual revenue below $10,000.
• The founder or representative must live or attend school in Austin. 

Program details

Scoring is based on viability, fundability, and environmental, social and economic impact.  Participants can expect to spend 2 to 4 hours in the program weekly. This will include 6 workshops and individual work to complete between sessions. The  program  ends in a practice pitch, with the top three ideas receiving entry to compete at Circular Austin Showcase.

A limited number of scholarships may be awarded to eligible participants with the top scores. Recipients must sign a Prize Winner Agreement and complete requirements to receive funds. The requirements will include participating in workshops and submitting all homework from the workshops. Funds will be issued halfway through the program and at the program’s conclusion. 

Workshop material will include the following courses:

• Vision: Branding Narrative + Strategy
• Circular Business Canvas: Part I (Value Proposition and Business Viability)
• Circular Business Canvas Part II (Triple Bottom Line and Project Team)  
• Capital: Revenue Model + Growth Path
• Financial Literacy: Budgeting + Strategic Pricing
• Crafting the Pitch through Storytelling

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Material Union accepts the $2,000 prize from Maddie Morgan and the judging panel at the 2024 Circular Austin Showcase. 

2024 Circular Accelerator winner and finalists

During the pilot program in Summer 2024, 10 circular entrepreneurs participated in a 14-week educational program. Some of the topics covered included: creating a circular business canvas, revenue modeling, budgeting, strategic pricing, and creating a branding narrative. The program wrapped up with a practice pitch, with the top three ideas receiving entry to compete at the Circular Austin Showcase.

Material Union was the top finalist from the Circular Accelerator program at the Circular Austin Showcase on August 30, 2024. They took home a $2,000 prize. The finalists included: 

• Aura Rain is a premium water brand. They harvest rainwater and transform it into sustainable drinking water.
• Material Union plans to collect and sort textiles to give them a second life as new products, like pillows and insulation.
• Sleep, Never is a slow fashion brand that uses reclaimed materials to create made-to-order clothing. Each piece is ethically developed and manufactured in-house in Austin, Texas with a focus on quality, fit and size inclusivity. 

Circular Austin Showcase

Circular Austin Showcase connects circular economy businesses with potential investors in the region. Circular economy businesses provide sustainable solutions to their customers and practice zero waste within the organization. Up to five established circular enterprises will have a chance to compete in the Circular Austin Showcase.

Showcase Prize 

Circular economy enterprises will pitch to judges for a chance to win $10,000 in prize money. 

Connect	Event attendees can network with business owners to learn more about local efforts and opportunities.
Pitch	A pitch event hosting a diverse group of people from investor and business communities to support and inspire growth in the circular economy.
Impact	The showcase will inspire and educate the investment community on the social, environmental and economic benefits of circular economy businesses.

Application and eligibility 

Applications for the 2024 Circular Austin Showcase will reopen in Spring 2025.

Businesses and social enterprises must be located in the City of Austin and meet these additional requirements:  

• Must be focused on the circular economy, zero waste or sustainability.  
• Cannot have raised more than $500,000 in lifetime outside funding.  
• Must have an annual revenue between $10,000 and $250,000.  

Scoring is based on viability, fundability, job creation, and circular economy and social impact.  

Program details

Participants will be encouraged to attend a free pitch prep session. The Circular Austin Showcase will take place the last week of August. The winner must sign a Prize Winner Agreement before receiving funds. Participants will receive a copy of the agreement when notified about their selection.  

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The Mosaic Workshop accepts the $10,000 prize from Maddie Morgan and the judging panel at the 2024 Circular Austin Showcase.

2024 Circular Austin Showcase winner and finalists

The Mosaic Workshop was the winner of the 2024 Circular Austin Showcase. They took home the $10,000 grand prize. The finalists included:

• Black Lives Veggies is a not-for-profit with a mission to diversify the local food system. They teach BIPOC communities how to plant, grow, harvest, and distribute fresh veggies.
• Heron rents and delivers anything you don't use enough to buy. They offer everything from wheelchairs to air mattresses to patio heaters.
• The Mosaic Workshop teaches people of all ages and abilities the art of mosaic making. They host classes and design community-led mosaic murals using broken tile, glass and ceramics.
• Shop Slow is a “slow fashion” boutique that features clothing by a collective of makers who sew custom and unique clothing. Their makers focus on using recycled materials.
• Wanderlust Wine Co. is the world's largest wine-on-tap winery. They are on a mission to change the world through wine by utilizing sustainable, recyclable and reusable packaging and practices. 

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The City of Austin supports businesses and entrepreneurs in the circular economy sector through a partnership between the Circular Economy Program and Economic Development Department. The City of Austin is proud to support our local circular businesses by hosting events that help Austin reduce waste, create a cleaner environment and grow the local circular economy.