The Circular Kickstart – Growth Program.

Details

• Source: https://www.circularkickstart.be/growth-accelerator-2026
• Organisation: the Circular Kickstart
• Programme: Growth Accelerator
• Who it’s for: Flemish circular start-ups (max 5 years old)
• Selection: limited places; selection via pitching days (jury)
• Duration: February – November
• Format: hybrid (partly online, partly in person in Ghent or Antwerp)
• Intensity: on average 2–3 touchpoints/month (except summer)
• Price: €1,000 (or 6 × €167)

What is the Circular Kickstart Growth Accelerator?

This accelerator helps you future-proof your circular and sustainable start-up and move from vision to action. The focus is not only on your product or first customers, but also on what you need to succeed commercially and scale sustainably (business model, go-to-market, partnerships, financing, team, …).

What will you learn / which themes are covered?

According to the source page, the programme covers multiple themes via mentors through online info sessions and live workshops/starterclasses. Examples include:

• Circular value chains: shifting from linear to circular (tools, strategies, cases)
• Win-win partnerships: collaboration in a circular ecosystem (shared value creation)
• Circular innovation as a growth engine: market and growth opportunities, cost reduction, resilience
• Storytelling: communicating your mission convincingly to investors/customers/partners
• Business model: creating multiple forms of value and translating them into a business case
• Start to sell / go-to-market: selling, positioning, validating with target audiences
• Brand & positioning: building a circular brand strategically
• Financing: funding types + convincing investors of impact
• Team: building your dream team and a talent strategy

What do you get (benefits)?

• expert guidance & mentorship
• starterclasses with tools to lead your circular start-up
• hands-on sprints focused on implementation
• access to a circular community (start-ups, SMEs, market leaders)
• increased visibility as a circular ambassador

Who can apply?

According to the source page:

• Flemish start-ups (max 5 years old)
• with a circular solution (or a strong idea you want to refine)

How to apply

The page lets you apply or join a waitlist via an application form (~10 minutes).

Extra: community membership

If the accelerator is too early, you can also become a community member with access to:

• online platform + network
• live Q&As/webinars
• bonus course on circular innovation
• community events
• a knowledge database with tools/resources

Link

• https://www.circularkickstart.be/growth-accelerator-2026