Seattle Good Business Network logo

Circular Innovation Challenge

Seattle Good Business Network

Foundation One-time Grants for StartupsSmall Business GrantsEnvironmental Justice GrantsGrants for BIPOC

Funding Amount

$10,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

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

    • Status: Program information references 2021 competition. Current status unclear as of 2026.

    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.

    How to Apply

    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

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    What Seattle Good Business Network actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2025

    Grants in 2025
    36
    Total given
    $412K
    Median grant
    $10K
    Range
    $5,500–$30K
    • By dollars: Washington 100%. Top recipient cities: Seattle, WA; Shoreline, WA; Lynnwood, WA.
    • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
    • 88% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

    Example grants

    • Seeking Kombucha · Seattle, WA

      Seattle Restored support

      $30K

    • Frida LLC · Seattle, WA

      Seattle Restored support

      $25K

    • Lenox LLC · Seattle, WA

      Seattle Restored support

      $19K

    • Mojito · Seattle, WA

      Good Food Kitchens community meals

      $18K

    • Pan De La Selva · Seattle, WA

      Seattle Restored support

      $17K

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupssmall-businessesenvironmental-justicebipoc

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Grants for StartupsSmall Business GrantsEnvironmental Justice GrantsGrants for BIPOC

    Related Grants

    Open grants from this funder and similar programs

    Foundation

    Telluride Venture Accelerator (TVA)

    Telluride Foundation

    Amount

    $30,000 investment per company; over $100,000 in perks available

    Deadline

    October 15, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Activate Fellowship

    Activate Global Inc

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    October 23, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Wilkes Entrepreneur Grant Program

    Wilkes Economic Development

    Amount

    Up to $5,000 per grant; total varies by cycle

    Deadline

    October 31, 2026

    Semi-annual
    Foundation

    UArctic Entrepreneurship Fund

    University of the Arctic Foundation

    Amount

    $2,000 - $5,000 USD

    Deadline

    October 31, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Innovation Award (Student Competition)

    Charlotte Regional Realtor Assoc

    Amount

    $10,000 total scholarship pool ($5,000 first place, $2,500 second place, $1,500 third place, plus $1,000 Realtors' Choice Award)

    Deadline

    November 10, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Nexus Technology Cup

    Research Park Corporation

    Amount

    $150,000

    Deadline

    December 16, 2026

    Annual
    Your AI grants department

    Ready to apply for Circular Innovation Challenge?

    Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.

    Apply with Grantable Learn more