The Scaling Circular Solutions Programme is designed for growth-stage circular economy businesses and organisations that have moved beyond the idea or early-development phase and are ready to expand their solutions and impact.
The programme is intended to help participants address practical growth barriers, strengthen their business model, improve investment readiness, build new partnerships and accelerate their scaling journey.
Rather than providing direct financial grants, PREVENT offers a bespoke support package bringing together technical training, expert advice, mentoring, peer learning and access to international networks.
A key feature is the opportunity to connect with potential German business partners and explore collaboration opportunities through a final demonstration event in Germany.
WHAT THE PROGRAMME OFFERS
CE Finance Advisory
Participants will receive targeted support to strengthen:
- Investment readiness
- Financing strategies
- Access to appropriate funding opportunities
This is intended to help circular economy organisations become better positioned to secure suitable finance for future growth.
Leadership Training
The programme provides support to strengthen:
- Leadership capabilities
- Team collaboration
- Organisational development
- Engagement with international networks and partnerships
AI Training & Acceleration
Participants will develop foundational AI capabilities and explore how AI and data-driven use cases can strengthen their business models.
The focus is not simply on adopting AI as a technology, but on identifying practical applications that can contribute to business growth.
Mentoring
Participants receive tailored one-to-one coaching from experienced experts and practitioners to help address specific business challenges and support strategic growth.
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Participants will exchange:
- Experiences
- Challenges
- Lessons
- Best practices
with other entrepreneurs, innovators and peer innovation programmes within the circular economy ecosystem in Germany.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Matching with German Business Partners
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Identify cooperation opportunities with German businesses.
- Develop strategic networks.
- Establish partnerships with industry actors.
- Explore collaborative opportunities across markets and value chains.
Topic Lead
Participants can work with other stakeholders to develop and promote circular economy solutions and systemic approaches within their sector or value chain.
Matchmaking
The programme connects participants with members of the wider PREVENT global circular economy community to identify strategic partners and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Visibility
Selected participants can increase their visibility through PREVENT's network of:
- Circular economy actors.
- Partners.
- Supporters.
This includes opportunities to showcase their solution and impact to a wider international audience.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
The programme is specifically looking for growth-stage circular economy businesses or organisations.
Applicants should already have moved beyond the idea stage and be ready to scale.
To be considered, an organisation should meet the following criteria:
PREVENT Membership
The organisation must either:
- Already be a member of the PREVENT Waste Alliance, or
- Apply to become a member before the application deadline of 13 September 2026.
Validated Circular Solution
The organisation must have a:
Validated circular economy solution with proven market demand.
This means the programme is not aimed at early-stage concepts that are still being tested for basic market relevance.
Demonstrated Commercial Traction
Applicants must be able to demonstrate commercial traction through at least relevant evidence such as:
- Revenue generation
- Paying customers
- Commercial contracts
Applicants must also demonstrate growth potential, for example through:
- Increasing revenues.
- Growing customer numbers.
- Market expansion.
Ecosystem Fit
Applicants should have strong potential to:
- Benefit from the PREVENT ecosystem.
- Contribute to the wider circular economy community.
Availability
Selected participants need to be available for:
- Online training and support between November 2026 and May 2027.
- Up to seven days of in-person PREVENT Academy activities in Germany in April/May 2027.
Language
English-language proficiency is required.
WHO IS THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR?
This programme is particularly suited to organisations that already have a functioning circular economy solution and are now facing questions such as:
- How do we scale into new markets?
- How can we strengthen our investment readiness?
- How can we improve our business model?
- How can technology and AI strengthen our operations?
- Which partnerships could accelerate our growth?
- How can we connect with international circular economy networks?
- How can we expand our impact beyond the existing market?
It is therefore not an incubation programme for ideas without market validation.
WHAT DOES “GROWTH-STAGE” MEAN HERE?
The eligibility criteria indicate that applicants should already be able to demonstrate:
A validated solution → market demand → commercial traction → growth potential.
Evidence could include existing revenue, paying customers or commercial contracts, alongside a credible opportunity to increase revenues, expand the customer base or enter new markets.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
A major benefit of the programme is its international orientation.
Participants can connect with:
- International circular economy practitioners.
- PREVENT members.
- Industry stakeholders.
- Potential German business partners.
- Other entrepreneurs and innovators.
The programme specifically provides opportunities to explore cross-border cooperation and partnerships with German businesses.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must complete the PREVENT Scaling Circular Solutions application form.
Applications must be submitted by:
13 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST
The PREVENT Innovation Team will then review eligible submissions.
Selection
Applicants will be informed of the selection outcome by:
End of October 2026
INFORMATION SESSIONS
PREVENT has made optional recorded information sessions available covering:
- The programme.
- The application process.
Applicants can use these resources to better understand the programme before submitting an application.
TRAVEL SUPPORT
A critical consideration for international applicants is that participants are expected to cover their own travel costs, including flights and trains.
However, limited exceptions may be available for participants from low- or middle-income countries.
To be considered for travel support, applicants must:
- Come from a low- or middle-income country.
- Request travel support in the application.
- Provide a justification explaining why they cannot cover the travel costs themselves.
Travel support is not guaranteed and is available only to a limited number of participants meeting the stated conditions.
IMPORTANT — THIS IS NOT A GRANT
This point should be very clear to applicants.
The Scaling Circular Solutions Programme does not provide direct grants or funding.
Instead, selected organisations receive access to PREVENT's support instruments, which have previously been offered as individual services to PREVENT members.
The programme is designed to help participants:
- Overcome growth barriers.
- Strengthen their organisations.
- Improve their business models.
- Increase investment readiness.
- Build partnerships.
- Scale their circular solutions and impact.
APPLICATION STRATEGY
For an organisation considering this programme, the application should be built around existing traction and a credible scaling opportunity, rather than presenting only a vision for a future circular solution.
A strong applicant should be able to demonstrate:
What is the solution?
Who is already buying or using it?
What evidence shows market demand?
What commercial traction has been achieved?
What is preventing the organisation from scaling?
How will PREVENT's finance advisory, mentoring, leadership, AI training and partnerships help address those barriers?
What new markets, customers, partnerships or impact could be unlocked?
These points directly connect the applicant's needs with the purpose of the programme.
KEY DATES
Application Deadline:
13 September 2026 | 23:59 CEST
Selection Notification:
End of October 2026
Programme Period:
November 2026 – May 2027
PREVENT Academy in Germany:
April/May 2027 | Up to 7 days
GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE
International / Global
The programme is designed around participation in the global circular economy community and specifically offers opportunities for partnerships with German businesses.
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- South Africa
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Zambia
- Ethiopia
- Angola
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Egypt
- India
- Indonesia
- Vietnam