About the Programme
The Circular Venture Accelerator is designed and delivered by Irish Manufacturing Research and funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment as part of CIRCULÉIRE - Ireland's first cross-sectoral industry-led innovation network established in 2020.
Built specifically for late-stage start-ups and scaling innovators, the Circular Venture Accelerator 2026 is a high-impact, industry-embedded programme that helps ambitious circular ventures prepare for commercial scaling, enterprise adoption, and investment readiness.
Ventures accepted to this six-month programme will work closely with leading circularity experts, Irish Manufacturing Research specialists, and experienced industry members. They will strengthen their business model, accelerate product and technology development, adopt circular metrics, anticipate and align with policy shifts, and become investment and partnership-ready.
Designed for late-stage circular ventures to sharpen strategy, scale operations, prove economics, and prepare for partnerships or funding rounds.
Deep Industry Integration provides access to the largest circular economy industry network in Ireland and the Industry Members Advisory Group (IMAG).
Commercial scaling at its core, enabling ventures to quantify metrics that matter and turn compliance into a competitive advantage.
Expert-led thematic modules on commercial positioning, enterprise growth, circular business models, regulatory alignment, impact metrics, storytelling, and pitching.
Two immersive, residential bootcamps focused on strategy, execution, and investor preparation.
One-to-one mentoring and peer-to-peer sessions, events and forums.
What Ventures Can Expect
Ventures will experience a targeted, industry-embedded scale-up journey designed to accelerate commercial growth, strengthen strategic clarity, and build investor readiness.
Benefits include:
€ 5,000 Equity-Free Funding.
Free CIRCULÉIRE Membership for 2026, unlocking ecosystem access, networking, and wide-ranging circularity resources and supports.
Direct industry engagement through IMAG's real-world insights, validation, and collaboration opportunities.
Access to IMR’s prototyping, testing, and technology development facilities to support product and manufacturing advancement.
Hands on funding support, including RD&I pathways, grant identification, and funding readiness preparation.
Selected Ventures
IMR is proud to announce the Circular Venture Accelerator 2026 Cohort and to welcome them to CIRCULÉIRE.
Ábhar Materials Ltd
Ábhar Materials provides an off-take route for the waste offcuts and sawdust generated by workshops and joineries. This stream is commonly burnt, landfilled or sold as low-value animal bedding. Their patent-pending Grow-then-Lock™ bio-based process converts it into structural composite panels with no added formaldehyde, displacing virgin wood and petrochemical resin imports.
Bounce Back Recycling (BBR)
Bounce Back Recycling (BBR) is one of Ireland's leading mattress recycling operators. From its Galway City facility, BBR processes 60,000+ mattresses annually for retailers, local authorities and consumers across 13 counties, recovering steel, polyurethane foam, textiles and timber for return to the circular economy and upcycling other bulky waste.
.jpg)
%20transparent%20background.png)
.jpg)
Celestine Materials & Innovation
Celestine Materials & Innovation is designed to systemically innovate the valorisation of waste streams as raw material feedstock, transformed into smart material solutions. Working within industry and manufacturing systems, they reapply proven technologies to create accessible, low-carbon products that offer replacements to synthetic inputs and support Ireland’s transition to a circular, resilient economy.
Ecokinly
EcoKinly is a challenger hygiene brand enabling the circular economy by empowering consumers to replace single-use linear hygiene products, such as nappies, wipes and period pads, with durable, reusable alternatives. Ecokinly supports consumer waste reduction within the household and supports sustainable reuse habits.
Nothing New CMT Studio
Nothing New, by Change Clothes CLG, is a circular Cut-Make-Trim production studio transforming reclaimed textiles into commercially viable products through small-batch manufacturing and zero-waste production systems. By connecting textile recovery, local manufacturing, and paid graduate employment pathways, they are rebuilding circular textile production capability in Ireland while reducing waste and extending material lifecycles.
Neg8 Carbon
NEG8 Carbon develops electrostatic Direct Air Capture technology that removes CO₂ from ambient air for circular use. Its circular application is best demonstrated in SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), where captured atmospheric CO₂ is combined with green hydrogen to produce aviation fuel in a closed carbon loop.
.jpg)
Techstuff
Techstuff.ie is Ireland's circular tech platform enabling the full device lifecycle resell, repair, reuse and recycle. Our marketplace, verified repair shop directory, recycling centre directory and TechStuff4Schools community collection programme keep devices in closed loop circulation, generating valuable consumer-level circular economy data across the full device lifecycle.
External Coaching Team
Ron Immink
Ron Immink is a strategist, positive futurist, author and advisor who helps CEOs build future-fit organisations. He works with leadership teams to make sense of AI, disruption and culture, turning uncertainty into clear narratives, sharper strategy and practical action. Ron has read over 10,000 books on strategy, innovation, leadership, technology and the future, written more than 20 books, and advised thousands of businesses across Europe and beyond. Clients describe him as a maverick-in-residence, an innovation grenade and a positive futurologist.
Brian O'Connell
Brian O’Connell has held director positions in sales and marketing with both Dell and Oracle; and has worked in a consultancy capacity with companies such as Apple, Digiweb, StockByte, Schneider Electric, Cora Systems and J2 Global. Brian’s experience also includes work with growth orientated companies such as Snapfix RaiseYourIQ, Smart flow, N-pro where he helped define sales strategies and sales channels, new market entrance, product strategy, sales team development, marketing strategy, channel marketing plus implementing “Go to Market” programs/tactics. His passion is helping people and companies succeed.
Meghann Scully
Meghann Scully is a multimedia presenter working across digital media, TV and radio. She can be seen on RTÉ, Virgin Media and TG4 as well as being heard on Off The Ball, Newstalk and several podcasts. She has been working across the media industry for over two decades in Ireland and the UK in areas such as sport, sustainability, entertainment and lifestyle. Her workshop will bring all her expertise together to create an engaging, informative and enjoyable session with some key tips for businesses and brands to elevate their content and presentation skills.
IMR’s Coaching Team
Salmine Sassi
Salmine builds the frameworks that turn technical research into scalable commercial assets. With over a decade of experience in venture building and strategic innovation across Europe, MENA, and the US, she specializes in killing "Innovation Theater" and validating market demand before teams burn capital on unvetted concepts. Within IMR, her mandate is to work directly with our engineering and research teams to stress-test ideas, map market unit economics, and architect high-velocity pathways for spin-ins and spin-outs.
Valentina Rangel Leon
Valentina Rangel is the Circular Economy Policy Specialist at IMR, working primarily on the flagship project CIRCULÉIRE, she supports industry engagement in national and EU circular economy regulatory frameworks. Her role at IMR also involves enhancing the Irish Industry’s understanding of the key regulatory drivers for circularity, as well as key regulatory obligations, and facilitating meaningful dialogue between industry and national policymakers.
Valentina Tarasco
Valentina, Circularity Assessment & Metrics Lead, joined IMR in October 2024, She develops circularity performance metrics and Circular Economy Action Plans that are practical and measurable, using data to guide strategic planning and embed circular thinking into business practices. She has over 17 years' experience in IT leasing, disposition and refurbishment, two core circular economy strategies.
Daniel, Circularity Assessment & Metrics Technologist, contributes to the development of Circular Economy Action Plans and performance metrics that support organisations in advancing their circularity goals. He collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver data-driven strategies that are practical, measurable, and aligned with regulatory requirements and industry standards. With experience across diverse sectors, Daniel supports the implementation of circular practices, conducts carbon footprint assessments, and facilitates the integration of sustainability into core business operations. His work enables organisations to translate circular economy principles into actionable outcomes.
Paul McCormack Cooney is the Circular Economy Best Practice & Toolkits Lead in IMR. Paul leverages his expertise in communications, graphic design, and business to lead the development of CIRCULÉIRE's thought leadership and practical toolkits. As Best Practice & Toolkits Lead, he is responsible for creating key resources for Irish industry, including case studies, sectoral guides, and the Circular Maturity Tool. Drawing on a decade of experience in B2B2C financial communications, Paul excels at translating complex circular economy concepts into accessible and actionable insights that bridge the gap between research and business application.
Karl Crowley is the Senior Programme Manager for Circularity for RD&I at IMR. In this role, he is responsible for assisting Irish Industry to develop ideas into fully realised and fundable proposals and identifying suitable national and EU-wide funding opportunities. In a career spanning over 20 years, Karl has worked in diverse research settings including a UK-based start-up (SmartKem), an MNC Research Centre (Kingspan IKON), and an EI Technology Gateway (MiCRA). In these settings, he has worked across a range of sectors including circular materials development, construction waste valorisation, digital product passport deployment, flexible & printed electronics, and medical devices.
