The deadline to apply for the accelerator programme ends on 7 May.

Irish circular innovation network Circuléire has put out a call for applications for the latest iteration of its Circular Venture Accelerator.

Launched in 2020, Circuléire is a public-private network that aims to demystify and drive circular business innovation in Ireland. It is run by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and funded by the Irish Government through the Circular Economy Fund.

The 2026 accelerator is giving stronger focus to Irish late-stage start-ups and ventures prepping to scale their circular solutions, Circuléire has said. The six-month programme offers participants €5,000 in equity-free funding, direct industry engagement, help in funding preparation, access to IMR’s technology development sites and innovation pathways.

Participants can also benefit from modules on commercial positioning, circular business models, regulatory alignment and pitching, two residential bootcamps on strategy, execution and investor preparation, as well as one-on-one mentoring sessions. The deadline for applications is 7 May.

Circuléire’s accelerator alumni include the likes of Ecoroots, a finalist of the 2025 All-Island Circular Venture Awards that grows biomaterials from mushrooms’ mycelium to replace plastic, and a winner at that year’s awards, HaPPE Earth, which makes compostable PPE for the health sector and beyond.

Arcology System, which designs circular commercial interiors, and BladeBridge, which repurposes end-of-life turbine blades, were also nominated at the awards and are Circuléire alumni.

Founded in 2014, IMR offers a testbed for manufacturers to play with new technology and run trials or experiments with the goal of bridging the gap between technology and business, to ensure companies can harness the latest advancements to drive efficiency, productivity and sustainability.

In its six years, Circuléire has evolved into a multimillion-euro, cross-sectoral innovation platform with more than 50 members across food, medtech, packaging, electronics, textiles and more.

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