Circular Economy Startups

Daiwabo is a Japanese textile manufacturer producing fibers, nonwovens, and finished goods through an integrated system spanning R&D, raw material sourcing, manufacturing, and sales. Its products span hygiene items such as masks and diaper materials, cosmetics and skincare goods, industrial materials like construction sheets and filters, and functional apparel, serving both domestic and international markets.

1 investor

Dalmia Polypro is an Indian plastic recycler that processes post-consumer PET and Polyolefin (polypropylene and polyethylene) waste into recycled flakes and granules for use in fashion, consumer packaging, and industrial packaging. It also helps corporate brands meet Extended Producer Responsibility obligations under India's Plastic Waste Management Rules.

1 investor

Day 8 is a leaf technology company that extracts Rubisco protein from unused crop leaves using proprietary extraction technology to produce an upcycled, allergen-free, plant-based protein powder. It sells this ingredient to food manufacturers as a cost-effective alternative to whey and eggs for applications such as baking, beverages, and sports nutrition.

1 investor

Debongout is an online store that sources and sells vintage and second-hand furniture and decor, handling selection and delivery so customers can shop curated pieces without visiting flea markets. It offers free shipping in mainland France and installment payment options.

1 investor

Decameal produces marine protein and shell ingredients from European green (shore) crab harvested along the Danish coastline, using invasive-species removal as an input. Its products, including crab meal and shell-derived ingredients, are formulated for aquaculture, pet food, poultry, and specialty bait applications.

1 investor

Decomer Technology produces eco-friendly, water-soluble polymers used for consumer packaging, including blendable superfood packs for smoothies and water-soluble honey portion packages (Honeydrops). The company operates in the sustainable materials and packaging space with a focus on biodegradable polymer products.

1 investor

DeepTech Recycling develops a patented chemical recycling technology platform that converts complex, hard-to-recycle plastics into base chemicals, monomers, feedstock, and other high-value products. The company focuses on turning plastic waste into a reusable resource, shifting plastics from a linear to a circular value chain.

1 investor

Defunkify makes enzyme-based laundry detergents, powders, and odor/stain-removing boosters designed to eliminate odor at the source without synthetic fragrances, phosphates, chlorine, or optical brighteners. Its products target athletes and active users with technical and performance fabrics, using plant-based, ProvenSafe-tested formulas sold direct to consumers.

1 investor

Deleksan produces and exports high-purity recycled chemicals made from organic waste streams using its own recycling technologies, serving manufacturers across multiple industries. It also offers local waste management services, including door-to-door chemical recycling and waste treatment and disposal, alongside its subsidiary Chemisan.

1 investor

DELTAsort makes a retrofittable robotic sorting station built around a high-speed delta robot and AI classification models that detect and extract recyclable materials such as clear PET, colored PET, and aluminum cans from household plastic waste. It is aimed at waste sorting facilities in Europe, offering automated sorting alongside a web dashboard for wastestream analysis.

1 investor

Demeter USA is a nonprofit organization that provides Biodynamic certification services for farms and processors, reviewing and inspecting operations to help growers and producers obtain and maintain certification. It serves farmers, processors, and licensees in the United States pursuing biodynamic and organic agricultural practices.

1 investor

Desch produces plant pots and trays made from recycled plastic, including nIR-detectable and post-consumer recycled products for growers and plant retailers. Its brands include Grow&Go pots with built-in water reservoirs, D-TectPlus, and Recover, with a focus on recyclability and circular economy.

1 investor

Detoure is an online resale marketplace selling secondhand and overstock clothing and accessories sourced from creators and trend-forward fashion brands. It offers one-of-a-kind thrifted pieces organized by creator "closets" for a fashion-focused consumer audience.

1 investor

DiaperRecycle operates a subscription-based collection service for used disposable nappies and continence aids, separating the plastic and fibre so the plastic can be recycled and the fibre turned into a lightweight, flushable cat litter. It serves households, childcare and aged care facilities in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

1 investor

Digested Organics designs and manufactures filtration systems that treat high-solids wastewaters and process streams, helping industrial customers reduce wastewater disposal costs, reclaim clean water for reuse, and produce co-products. It also applies its filtration technology to clarify or concentrate food and beverage products.

1 investor

Dingo Technology is a West Australian recycling company that recovers lithium borate flux from used X-ray fluorescence beads to divert this waste from landfill and reconstitute it into usable form. It provides circular economy waste-transformation services for mining and industrial clients and laboratories.

1 investor

Dinoflex manufactures recycled rubber flooring and surfacing solutions for commercial, institutional, sports, and hospitality applications. The company specializes in LEED-certified interior and exterior products designed for architects, designers, and builders.

1 investor

Disal (part of Grupo Ambipar) provides environmental and waste management services based on circular economy principles, helping companies reduce waste generation, optimize handling, and transform waste into resources. It serves industries including agriculture, food and beverage, pulp/cellulose, construction, energy, mining, and events in Chile.

1 investor

Divert builds and operates food waste diversion infrastructure, including anaerobic digestion facilities and reverse logistics processes, to convert unsold and non-donatable food products into energy for retail and grocery customers. Operating in the US since 2007, it also runs a proprietary IoT and data platform to track and reduce food waste.

1 investor

DK Fine Chemical is a manufacturer and distributor of cellulose-based sustainable polymers used in construction, paints and coatings, food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. Based in South Korea, the company exports its cellulose products to over 50 countries.

1 investor

DOEN Ventures is the impact-first investment company of the DOEN Foundation, providing convertible loans and equity to early-stage sustainable and social startups. It focuses on sustainable consumer products, alternative materials, circular business models, sustainable food systems, and the blue economy.

1 investor

DressyClub is a peer-to-peer marketplace app that enables college students to rent, buy, sell, and loan clothing with other students on their campus. The platform operates as a closed community marketplace focused on affordable fashion and sustainable consumption for university communities.

1 investor

Open Water is a beverage brand that sells purified water with added electrolytes packaged in recyclable aluminum cans as an alternative to plastic bottles. The company emphasizes sustainability across sourcing, packaging, and carbon offsetting, and offers a direct subscription for recurring deliveries.

1 investor

Drinkwell builds HIX-Nano, a hybrid ion exchange nanotechnology that removes arsenic, fluoride, and other groundwater contaminants at the molecular level, with regenerable, reusable media positioned as more cost-effective than reverse osmosis. It provides water treatment media alongside operations, monitoring, and utility integration services for governments and communities, with coverage referencing water access in Bangladesh.

1 investor