Circular Economy Startups

Starve Ups is an Oregon-based startup accelerator and "scalerator" (an end-to-end accelerator) that supports founders through peer-to-peer mentorship across three growth stages, without taking equity or charging fees. It serves startup founders across roughly 20 industries in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, with chapters in Portland, Eugene, and Bend.

2 investors

Supercarb develops biodegradable textile fibers made from carbohydrate-based biopolymers such as brown and red seaweed, fruit waste, and plant walls, as an alternative to conventional polluting fibers. The fibers are aimed at the apparel and home textile industry, offering durability, fire retardance, and lower water and carbon impact than cotton or viscose.

2 investors

SuperGround develops a food processing technology that maximizes the utilization of fish and chicken in industrial food production, enabling food companies to reduce waste and emissions while creating sustainable products.

2 investors

SusPhos produces circular products from waste streams using zero-waste technology, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilizers and construction materials. Their offerings include low-carbon phosphate fertilizers, cement binders, and raw materials for industrial applications, serving agricultural and construction sectors.

2 investors

Sustainable Beverage Technologies develops patented brewing processes and technologies that increase production efficiency and reduce waste in fermented beverage manufacturing. The company's BrewVo process produces concentrated beer with significantly higher ingredient density while reducing weight and volume, serving breweries seeking more sustainable and profitable production methods.

2 investors

Sustainable Restaurant Group operates a portfolio of restaurant and hospitality brands that combine culinary excellence with environmental sustainability and cultural relevance. The company manages multiple dining concepts, from fine dining establishments to casual cafes and specialty restaurants, unified by a commitment to sustainable practices and community impact.

2 investors

SYNOVA converts plastic waste and biomass into chemical feedstocks and renewable fuels using its MILENA thermal conversion technology. The company serves chemical manufacturers and energy producers seeking circular economy solutions and emissions reductions.

2 investors

Tailored Industry operates an on-demand manufacturing facility and software platform that enables fashion brands to produce small batches of apparel with low minimum order quantities and fast turnaround times. The company combines 3D knitting technology and bespoke production software to serve contemporary fashion brands seeking supply chain flexibility.

2 investors

TAINR develops a refill kiosk system that dispenses food and household products into customer-provided or plastic-free containers for retail locations. The platform enables retailers and brands to reduce plastic waste, optimize inventory through real-time data, and offer consumers control over product quantities and sourcing information.

2 investors

Tanbark manufactures molded fiber products as sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging, leveraging advanced fiber technology and heritage pulp and paper expertise in Maine.

2 investors

Ten Lives produces sustainable protein-based cat snacks and food made through fermentation instead of animal farming, reducing environmental impact and animal harm. The company targets cat owners seeking healthier, environmentally responsible pet nutrition alternatives.

2 investors

Alloy is an online service for selling gold, silver, and platinum jewelry for cash, offering a mail-in process with free insured shipping, expert lab appraisal, and same-day payment. It serves individual consumers in the United States looking to sell jewelry, working with precious-metal refiners to determine value.

2 investors

EleFant is India's first toy rental mobile app that allows parents to rent toys for their children through flexible membership plans managed by a network of women entrepreneurs. The company focuses on providing high-quality, safe toys that support childhood development while building economic opportunities for female business owners.

2 investors

The Pro's Closet is an online marketplace for buying and selling used bikes, frames, and wheels, operating a certified pre-owned process with cash, consignment, and trade-in options. It serves cyclists in the resale bike market and has sold over 75,000 bikes since 2006.

2 investors

The Cobblers provides professional cleaning, repair, restoration, and customization services for premium sneakers and high-quality leather goods including footwear, handbags, and garments. The company operates physical retail locations across the United States and emphasizes artisanal craftsmanship and customer service.

2 investors

The Reformation is a fashion and clothing retailer that designs and sells sustainable apparel and lifestyle products.

2 investors

The Volte is an online fashion rental marketplace that enables women to rent and lend designer clothing at a fraction of retail prices. The platform connects borrowers and lenders while generating income for individuals and expanding market access for designers, operating primarily in Australia.

2 investors

Third Sphere is a climate-focused venture fund that invests in early-stage companies building hardware-enabled climate solutions for mitigation and resilience, with a thesis emphasizing techno-economic value creation alongside impact. The fund backs founders addressing climate challenges through electrification, adaptation, and proprietary data-driven automation, primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages across North America and select international markets.

2 investors

Thrift+ is a marketplace for secondhand fashion that aims to reduce fashion waste by making buying and selling pre-loved clothes simple and convenient. The platform offers over 500,000 quality-checked items from mainstream and designer brands, with return guarantees and seller support for the resale process.

2 investors

Toasty is a mobile application that curates and offers private sales on sustainable and ethical consumer brands. It helps users discover responsible products across various categories at discounted prices.

2 investors

Toyokoh develops laser cleaning technology (CoolLaser) for surface preparation and a spray-coating method (SOSEI) for roof waterproofing, insulation, and reinforcement, aimed at infrastructure maintenance in the construction industry. Originating from a painting and waterproofing contractor, the company serves construction and infrastructure maintenance markets in Japan and has begun exporting to the Middle East (UAE).

2 investors

Trace For Good provides a supply chain traceability platform that enables companies to collect, verify, and manage compliance data from suppliers across multiple tiers. The platform supports regulatory reporting, environmental impact analysis, and risk management for manufacturing and consumer brands.

2 investors

TrashCon is a waste management technology company that provides automated solutions for municipal solid waste segregation and recycling. The company serves governments and private organizations seeking to achieve zero-waste operations through proprietary technologies that separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, and convert multi-layered plastics into recycled construction materials.

2 investors

Travertine develops next-generation phosphate processing technology that converts ore into purified phosphoric acid and cementitious materials while avoiding gypsum waste and removing carbon dioxide. The company serves fertilizer and cement manufacturers with a circular, carbon-negative alternative to legacy phosphate extraction methods.

2 investors