Circular Innovation Challenge

Program Type: Business pitch competition for manufactured products made from waste or recycled materials

Geographic Scope: Open to all in Washington State

Eligibility:

• Entrepreneurs, businesses, or students
• Must source waste or recycled materials present in WA state
• Product must be viable and scalable to meet regional market needs
• Must identify how local WA communities are positively impacted by waste diversion
• If applying as existing business, must pitch a new product (not already on market)
• Applicants aged 18+ (students eligible)

Focus Areas/Material Streams:

• Construction and Demolition
• Glass
• Metal
• Organics/Food
• Paper
• Plastic
• Textiles
• Wood
• Pigment
• Other prominent waste streams

Award Package:

• $10,000 cash prize (awarded to winner)
• Introductions to investors
• Ongoing mentorship (details TBA)
• Public state-wide recognition and media features
• Access to mentors and resources

Program Structure:

• Two-round application process
• Up to 8 finalists selected from written submissions
• 7-week finalist program (workshops, 1:1 mentorship support)
• Final live pitch event

Judging Criteria (Point-based system, up to 100 points):

• Volume/weight of waste diverted (prioritized) - projects using most discarded materials receive more points
• Equitable impact - greater positive impact on historically under-resourced communities (BIPOC, refugee, immigrant, low-income) receives more points; e.g., create new jobs, low-barrier access/affordability
• Environmental impact - viable metrics around environmental impact (measurable reductions in carbon emissions, water usage, pollution, chemicals)
• Innovation - solutions for prominent/challenging material streams receive more points
• Scalability - clear market demand and ability to scale regionally and beyond

What They Don't Fund:

• Products already on market (for existing businesses)
• Products not manufactured from waste/recycled materials
• Products not sourcing materials from WA state

Partnerships:

• Coordinated by Seattle Good Business Network
• In partnership with City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development
• Made possible by grant from WA Department of Ecology

Contact Information:

• Email: gro.dooge​ltaes@ralucric (appears to be obfuscated)
• Interpretation available in 200+ languages
• Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese) application materials available

Background:
The Circular Innovation Challenge is a business pitch competition focused on identifying and scaling innovative manufactured product ideas that use prominent waste or recycled materials while creating positive environmental and social impact in Washington State communities.

Application Process

Submission Method: Email submission

Required Materials:

1. Contact Information Form (included in application)
2. Written Submission addressing the following questions:
   • What is your product idea?
   • What "waste" or recycled materials does your product idea use? (Specify material stream)
   • How do you plan to source this material?
   • How is your product manufactured/created?
   • Who do you believe would be interested in purchasing your product?
   • What are your estimated costs? Include:
   • Labor
   • Manufacturing
   • Materials
   • Transportation
   • Equipment
   • Miscellaneous
3. Optional: Video submission (6-minute maximum) addressing the above criteria

Submission Format Requirements:

• Main Document:
  • 12pt font
  • 1-inch margins
  • Single spaced
  • Word or PDF format
  • 5-page limit (maximum)
  • As concise and fact-based as possible
• Appendix:
  • Research/sources of information in appendix
  • Support documents, images, tables, graphs, sources/evidence
  • 3-page limit (in addition to 5-page limit)
• Optional Video:
  • 6 minutes maximum
  • Via Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, or other
  • Addresses the criteria questions above

Review Process:

1. All eligible and complete submissions reviewed by judging panel of industry experts and professionals
2. Applications scored on point-based system (up to 100 points)
3. Top scoring applications selected as Pitch Finalists (up to 8 finalists)
4. Finalists notified and invited to participate in 7-week program

Finalist Program Requirements (if selected):

• Attend Pitch Finalist Orientation (specific date/time provided upon selection)
• Participate in weekly workshops (90-120 minutes) to refine pitch
• Coordinate with assigned mentors
• Create video recording of final pitch
• Attend LIVE event and participate in Q&A session
• Attend program sessions as required (not full-time)

Support Provided:

• Workshops geared toward refining and developing pitch ideas
• 1:1 mentorship assistance
• Guidance and resources to develop final pitch
• Video production support
• Access to mentors and industry experts