The Circular Economy Incubator is a national initiative designed to accelerate Switzerland’s transition toward a circular economic model. Operated by Circular Economy Transition (CET) in collaboration with Swiss Impact Hubs, the program provides a structured environment for early-stage entrepreneurs, startups, and intrapreneurs to transform sustainable concepts into viable business ventures. By bridging the gap between ideation and market entry, the initiative aims to foster innovation that reduces waste, optimizes resource use, and promotes regional value creation.
Program Mission and Structure
Operational Goal: A 12-week intensive incubation journey helping participants bootstrap a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and validate market potential.
National Reach: Each edition supports 25–35 startups across Switzerland, with dedicated cohorts in Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich.
Financial Terms: Zero-equity and zero-fee; founders retain full ownership of IP and business.
Valuation of Support: Total support per team valued at ~CHF 15,000.
Strategic Outcome: A curriculum designed to transition projects from part-time efforts into professional, full-time startups with validated business models.
Core Benefits and Resources
Mentorship and Coaching: One-to-one sessions with experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders to refine strategy and execution.
Expert-Led Workshops: Training on business modeling, circular design, lifecycle thinking, and sector-specific challenges.
Workspace Access: Entry to the Impact Hub network for professional co-working and collaboration with a diverse community of innovators and institutions.
Networking and Events: Local and national events facilitate exchange with peers and circular economy experts, building essential connections.
Visibility and Media Coverage: Swiss-wide exposure via press, newsletters, social media, and conferences.
Extended Ecosystem Support: Partnership with Circular Economy Switzerland provides nationwide visibility and access to industry partner networks.
Target Sectors and Eligibility
Target Audience: Early-stage teams based in Switzerland developing solutions that enable material and product circularity.
Lifestyle & Consumer Goods: Innovations in fashion, durable goods, repair, reuse, and product-as-a-service.
Food Systems: Agri-food tech, circular supply chains, valorization of by-products, and food waste reduction.
Built Environment & Manufacturing: Construction materials, modular design, refurbishment, and resource-efficient production.
Transport & Mobility: Sustainable logistics, shared mobility, remanufacturing, and circular transportation solutions.
Selection Criteria: Circular impact potential, scalability and business viability, and strength/complementarity of the team.
2026 Program Timeline
Application Phase: Early November 2025 – 15 January 2026.
Information Sessions: December 2025 (online, multi-language).
Jury Selection: 3 February 2026 (regional Jury Nights, in person).
National Kickoff: 17 February 2026 (Geneva).
Incubation Period: 17 February – 18 May 2026 (12 weeks).
National Demo Day: 5 June 2026 (Zurich).
The Circular Economy Incubator is a critical pillar of the Swiss startup ecosystem, offering mentorship, infrastructure, and founder-friendly terms to help sustainable ventures thrive. By providing a clear roadmap from prototype to market validation, the program empowers innovators to address environmental challenges with scalable, circular solutions.