The Circulars Reinvented: From Recognition to Global Action

For the past years, The Circulars has played a vital role in advancing circular innovation on a global scale. Originally launched by the World Economic Forum as an award program recognizing progress in the circular economy, it quickly became evident that recognition alone wasn’t enough. As environmental challenges mounted, the initiative evolved into a more action-oriented platform — one focused on scaling real-world solutions and connecting emerging innovators with industry leaders.

This transformation led to the creation of The Circulars Accelerator , a six-month program designed to do more than celebrate innovation — it actively supported it. Through mentorship, global networks, and access to investment, the accelerator helped early-stage startups scale circular solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Led by Accenture, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, UpLink, Anglo American, Ecolab, and Schneider Electric, the program delivered tangible results. Among the startups it supported were:

In 2023 alone, over 350 startups applied to the accelerator, with 16 selected for its third cohort — a clear sign of growing momentum in circular innovation.

Also in 2023, marking a decade of impact, UpLink and the World Economic Forum’s Center for Nature and Climate teamed up with Accenture to expand the initiative’s reach and ambition. This collaboration gave rise to the Circulars Acceleration Network — a next-generation platform designed to build ecosystems that support circular innovation at scale.

More than a rebranding, the Circulars Acceleration Network represents a bold new phase. It connects entrepreneurs with cross-industry leaders and circular economy experts to co-create and scale new solutions. The initiative brings together key players to tackle specific circular challenges and leverage emerging technologies to move the world closer to a circular future.

An initiative of Accenture, UpLink, and the World Economic Forum, the network is supported by a global panel of experts and a broad alliance of public and private sector organizations. What began as an awards program is now a collaborative, global effort to accelerate the shift to a circular economy — through innovation, partnership, and systems-level change.

You can learn more and explore at:  TCAN