Circular Venture Blueprint Launched to Strengthen Support for Circular Economy Entrepreneurs
11th Mar'25
Bengaluru / Nairobi | 11th Mar’25
The Circular Venture Blueprint, a new practical guide designed to strengthen support systems for circular economy ventures, has been officially launched following a collaborative effort by leading ecosystem organisations from Bengaluru and Nairobi. The Blueprint addresses a shared and pressing challenge across ecosystems: how to effectively support, assess, and scale circular economy ventures. Co-created by organisations actively working with entrepreneurs on the ground, the Circular Venture Blueprint offers actionable frameworks, tools, and insights tailored specifically to the unique needs of circular economy enterprises. Unlike traditional startup support models, circular ventures operate within complex value chains, require longer time horizons, and must balance environmental and social outcomes alongside financial viability. The Blueprint responds directly to these realities.
The guide provides structured frameworks for:
- Evaluating circular business models
- Measuring environmental, social, and economic impact
- Understanding the market, regulatory, and financing dynamics unique to circular ventures
Whether Entrepreneurs Support Organisations (ESOs) are at the early stages of integrating circular economy principles or looking to strengthen existing programmes, the Circular Venture Blueprint offers practical tools that can be applied immediately. Drawing on collective experience from supporting real ventures across diverse contexts, the Blueprint includes:
- Clear guidance on designing and delivering support for circular economy ventures
- Proven tools and methodologies rooted in real ecosystem experiences
- Case studies from the ground, illustrating challenges, solutions, and lessons learned
The Blueprint is the result of close collaboration among organisations working at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, combining insights from both Global South and Global North perspectives.
The initiative was made possible through the collaboration and contributions of Climate KIC, GrowthAfrica, SecondMuse, and the International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE), along with several ecosystem partners whose insights and practical experience shaped the guide.
Speaking on the launch, the co-creators emphasized that supporting circular ventures requires rethinking conventional entrepreneurship models, and that ESOs play a critical role in enabling the transition to a more resource-efficient, low-carbon, and regenerative economy.
The Circular Venture Blueprint is now publicly available.
