Circular Austin Accelerator

The Circular Austin Accelerator helps local entrepreneurs improve their circular business ideas. During the program, participants receive free expert-led training and one-on-one coaching. The program ends with a soft pitch event. The top three ideas at the soft pitch will receive entry to compete for a $2,000 prize at the Circular Austin Showcase event in May 2026. 

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

Accelerator application and eligibility 

Fiscal Year 2026 applications for the Circular Austin Accelerator program track will open on Oct. 13, 2025.

Eligible applicants for the Circular Austin Accelerator must meet these requirements: 

• Must have an idea focused on the circular economy, zero waste or sustainability.
• Must have an annual revenue below $35,000.
• May not have received more than $35,000 in outside funding.
• The founder or representative must live or attend school in Austin city limits.
• Prior applicants may apply, but priority will be given to new applicants.

 

Program details

Scoring is based on alignment with the circular economy, community impact, and the organization’s potential for growth and success in the program. Participants should plan to do the following:

• Spend an average of four hours a week on program activities
• Attend six evening workshops taught by industry professionals
• Attend four business coaching sessions and one business engagement meeting
• Participate in additional evening activities including a program kick-off and networking session
• Present a four-minute pitch at the soft pitch event
• Provide program feedback 

A limited number of stipends may be awarded to eligible participants who demonstrate the biggest need. Recipients must register as a vendor with the City of Austin, sign a Stipend Agreement and complete requirements to receive funds. The requirements will include participating in all program activities and submitting all homework and deliverables. Funds will be issued in two installments: halfway through the program, and at the program’s conclusion.  

The workshops will cover: 

• Circular principles
• Creation of a circular business canvas
• Social impact in your business
• Financial literacy
• Marketing strategies
• Storytelling and preparing a pitch

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Frontier Resource Recovery accepts the $2,000 prize from Austin Resource Recovery staff at the 2025 Circular Austin Showcase. 

2025 Circular Accelerator Finalists included:

• Concept 2 Consumption Fashion and Technology is a technology ecosystem and innovation virtual collaboration. They are on a mission to make Austin the sustainable fashion capital of the world.  
• Frontier Resource Recovery (WINNER)  is turning abundant agricultural waste into biochar as a sustainable solution to treat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) contamination. The treated biosolids are safe to be reused as fertilizer.  
• Holocia is transforming the local food system by creating agricultural development districts. These districts will provide Austinites with fresh, healthy food and help eliminate over 1 million pounds of plastic food packaging annually.  

Circular Austin Showcase

Circular Austin Showcase connects established 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. 

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.

 

Watch the 2025 Circular Showcase pitch event on ATXN here.

Showcase application and eligibility  

Fiscal Year 2026 applications for the Circular Austin Showcase track will open on Oct. 13, 2025.

Businesses must be located within Austin City Limits and meet these additional requirements:  

• Must be focused on the circular economy, zero waste or sustainability.  
• Have been in operation for at least 12 months.
• Cannot have raised more than $500,000 in lifetime outside funding.  
• Must have an annual revenue between $35,000 and $250,000, or have raised at least $100,000 to date.
• Prior applicants may apply, but priority will be given to new applicants. 

Scoring is based on viability, fundability, and impact on the circular economy/zero waste, economic impact and social impact.

Program details

Participants are required to attend an evening kickoff meeting and submit information requested by the stated deadlines. They will also be encouraged to attend a free, one-on-one pitch-coaching session. 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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Heartening accepts the $10,000 grand prize from the judging panel and Austin Resource Recovery staff at the 2025 Circular Austin Showcase. 

2025 Circular Austin Showcase Finalists included:

• Cocarbon converts agricultural waste into sustainable activated carbon for water filtration. Their carbon-negative, solar-powered process eliminates expensive water transport, reduces waterborne diseases and creates local jobs.  
• CRAFT is a public studio that promotes sustainability through a shared use model for arts and crafts. Their model reduces waste, prevents unnecessary consumption, and fosters an inclusive, community-driven approach to making.  
• Heartening (GRAND PRIZE WINNER) is a community-driven initiative dedicated to creating a sustainable culture of giving and reuse. They are powered by volunteers who care about giving clothing back to the community freely or extremely cheaply.  
• Save the Good Stuff is committed to the preservation and reuse of vulnerable vintage and historic building materials. They aim to maintain the integrity of Austin’s built environment.  
• 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.