Do you look at current consumer life-styles and linear product life-cycles and see the inherent sustainability problems that lie within? Do you want to help the world transition to a model that is conscious of the climate and biodiversity crises, seeking to create sustainable resource loops of reusing, refurbishing, and recycling?
We believe that the combination of entrepreneurship and circular economy are critical to the necessary regeneration of our planet. This is why we've created a programme focused on the road from ideas to sustainable solutions whether you will be a specialist, leader or entrepreneur in the future. We highlight trending topics from consumerism and smart building to biological regeneration and more.
For more information on the workshops and visiting experts check the programme schedule page.
To succeed, a circular economy requires a decentralised, community-based way of solving linear problems and we, therefore, acknowledge that no one company or government can succeed on their own. The Viikki-based Circulator 2.0 pre-incubator programme has direct access to this circular community. Circular economy requires every player to understand the effect of their own actions in the loop of reusing resources. The intense eight-week programme will focus on several areas of circular economy to give its participants a full-circle understanding of the subject. In addition, we cover a set of entrepreneurial skills such as problem-defining & solution prototyping. The programme will have a strong focus on developing skills in ecosystem cooperation – the key to building a successful community.
The programme is produced in partnership with the MiXi Centre, the Helsinki Think Company, and is powered by the City of Helsinki as a part of the Campus Incubators network.
Circulator 2.0 is supported by several experts from the field. In addition to experts hosting workshops, we have an advisory group that will frame the opportunities and challenges in the circular economy right now. More information on the group, as well as their visions on the challenges and opportunities they see in circular economy can be found at the link below. We recommend all applicants to read and reflect upon the advisory group's visions before the start of the programme. For those still thinking about their idea, we also suggest checking out the board's challenges and opportunities to help guide you in coming up with your idea. The advisors will also help you during the programme in 1-on-1 advisory sessions.
By the end of this programme, you’ll have acquired an understanding of the many dimensions of Circular Economy & entrepreneurship, as well as gotten to know the current professionals in the field and their interesting projects in Finland and abroad. This combination of knowledge & connections will allow you to become a valued member of the circular economy community and be able to bring your solution to reality. And, if you have what it takes and want to continue your entrepreneurial journey, you can apply to join more advanced Helsinki Incubators programmes. These can help you further grow and develop your solution, with the Biosphere incubator being specifically tailored for Circulator 2.0 graduate teams.
More specifically, your goal in the programme will be to develop a fully fledged business idea with a complete first draft of your circular economy business model using the circular economy business model canvas. We'll learn how to identify your customers, their problems, your value proposal, and how to create and deliver that value within the frame of the circular economy. If you complete the canvas, you'll be entitled to the Circulator 2.0 diploma, which can be exchanged for ECTS credits or attached to your CV.
Circulator 2.0 will be held from 14 April to 9 June, and will consist of around two workshops a week, with some weeks having more or less. The main locations for the programme will be the Helsinki Incubators space located at the City Centre Campus of the University of Helsinki, as well as the Viikki Campus Helsinki Think Company space. We'll also have events and extra activities elsewhere in the capital region and beyond. The programme will be held in English, and we'll meet in person during the workshops.
As the programme will be packed with activities, it's advisable to clear space in your calendar to make the most of it. We recommend you reserve at least six hours for the workshops and three hours a week for the fieldwork and associated reading per week.
During the programme, we'll get to meet hundreds of professionals in the field and learn & gain insights from them about the current state of circular economy, especially towards the end of the programme when we'll participate in the World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki and other events.
At the end of the programme, you'll get to take part in the community showcase on 9 June, presenting both all of the solutions generated by you and your fellow participants as well as the circular economy as a whole. We'll be hosting the final event in collaboration with the HealthX pre-incubator programme, combining planetary health with human and animal health under the theme of One Health.
For a more detailed programme schedule, please check the link below.
The call for Circulator 2.0 is now open and will close on 31 March.
We welcome applications from anyone who's enthusiastic about creating change and willing to learn. You can apply with an existing idea or come create one with us. If you're still working on your idea, we strongly recommend reading the suggestions from our advisory board on circular economy to evaluate and generate your idea based on them. Read those suggestions here.
Individual applicants and teams do not need to be affiliated with the University of Helsinki to apply, what matters is your motivation and ability to attend onsite. Students, researchers, staff, alumni, and enthusiastic citizens are all equally welcome to join and come create the change they want to see!
We do not value ideas or missions by size or scope. You can aim to change the world with a scaling solution and operate globally with your company, or you can aim to impact locally deeply. Both are equally valuable in our eyes.
Interested in applying? You can do so at the link below! Once you've submitted your application, the team will be in touch shortly to arrange an interview. All applicants will be notified about selection into the programme prior to the programme's kick-off on 14 April.
If you have any questions about applying, or the programme in general, consider registering for the "Get to know the programme" session on 8 March! The session will be held from 16:00 to 17:00 at the Helsinki Incubators space at Vuorikatu 3, and feature testimonials from previous participants, a Q&A session with the organising team, and more.
A student can request a certificate of attendance upon completion of the pre-incubator programme. The certificate is issued by entrepreneurship & innovation services at the University of Helsinki. The certificate outlines the completed content of the programme, which corresponds to 5 ECTS.
The student can present the certificate of attendance to their degree programme for credit registration. Entrepreneurship & innovation services do not issue credits. The degree programme will decide which to course or within what study module the credit for participation in the pre-incubator can be included.
Students are advised to check with their degree programme first, if this arrangement is possible. Entrepreneurship & innovation services do not guarantee that credits can be earned by taking part in the programme.