APPLY NOW
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APPLY NOW ---
THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY INCUBATOR 2026 IS OPEN
During the program, the selected entrepreneurs work on developing their minimum viable product (MVP) and validating their business model, with the support from advisors, experts and our network of impact investors. Each edition of the program incubates 25-35 startups Swiss-wide split among cohorts in Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich.
The Circular Economy Transition (CET) Incubator enables teams and startups to prototype and develop solutions contributing to accelerate the transition towards Circular Economy in Switzerland (check our Circular Economy in a Nutshell to know more about our Circular Economy vision).
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
During 12 weeks, the participants will benefit from several elements of support that will empower them to bootstrap an MVP and validate its market potential with customers. By the end of the program, the entrepreneurs should be able to stop looking at their startup as a side-project and more as their full-time job.
The entire support services provided by the CE Incubator have a value of CHF 15.000 per team. The CE Incubator has a zero equity and fees policy. This means you will not be charged anything for your participation in the incubator and the idea you develop stays entirely yours
TIMELINE 2026
3. NOVEMBER - 15. DECEMBER: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
1. DECEMBER: INFORMATION SESSIONS IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH (ON-LINE)
15. DECEMBER: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS CLOSE
3. FEBRUARY 2026: JURY NIGHTS in BASEL AND LAUSANNE (IN-PERSON)
17. FEBRUARY 2026: NATIONAL KICKOFF IN LAUSANNE (IN-PERSON)
17. FEBRUARY - 18. MAY 2026: INCUBATION PERIOD
4. JUNE 2026: NATIONAL DEMO DAY IN ZURICH (IN-PERSON)
Community & space
Connect with corporates, public institutions, entrepreneurs, creatives and techies, while working from an inspiring space (aka Impact Hub) at the heart of your city.
Startup support
Have 1:1 mentoring sessions and join workshops delivered by experienced experts in business & circular economy related topics to help you fine-tune your MVP and business model
Events & connections
Make meaningful connections and exchange best practices with peer entrepreneurs and circular economy experts at several events, taking place across Switzerland.
Swiss-wide visibility
Benefit from local and Swiss-wide exposure throughout the program, through conferences, pitching days as well as mentions on the press, newsletters and social media.
Additionally, Circular Economy Switzerland offers an exclusive membership offer for all program participants that include nationwide visibility on CES channels as well as CES member industry partners. Additional benefits include journalistic coverage, access to webinars, and local Circle events in your region.
Mentors
During the three-month program, each of the participating projects is supported by individual one-on-one sessions with an experienced entrepreneur or corporate executive. Here are a few from the previous edition.
Adrian Lütschg
Partner, About Tomorrow Consulting
Danilo Seabra
Management Consultant, DPivot
Kamila Ciok
Founder, Alimuradova Organisation
Daniel Rohrer
Project & Product Manager, CIRKEL
Stefano Roserba
Marketing Director, Università degli studi Roma TRE
Andrea Christancho
Health & Business Strategist
Denis Schraner
Strategy Manager, PostFinance
Katia Dayan Vladimirova
Chief Research Officer, Post Growth Fashion Agency
Anne Jomard
Clinical Nutritionist, Integral Coach
Tuan Lam
Principal Sustainability Consulting
Anna Juda
Consultant, Circularch
Georg Ronge
VP Regional Head, Bayer
Lewys Thomas
Project Lead, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
Judith Ketelslegers
Circular Innovation Specialist, WEF
Vanessa Nigro
Board Member
