Food System 6 partnership with global packaging company, Huhtamaki, aimed at surfacing and supporting the most innovative circular economy startups worldwide. ​The purpose of this program was to support the development of young and promising companies in the circular economy focused on ensuring a better, more sustainable future. As part of this program, FS6 offered mentorship, advising, and networking opportunities to help amplify the impact and reach of these solutions.

Meet the Cohort


Over the 8 weeks of application outreach and selection for the Circular Economy Program, we heard from an expansive group of innovators from around the world and across many sectors of the circular economy. Applications came in from 51 countries and ranged from small-scale big-impact regional solutions to large-scale global innovations. These solutions represent the leaders of our present and future food system.

Read our blog post, What's Next in the Circular Economy?, to learn more about the insights we gathered through this process about what is happening around the world to usher in a more sustainable and circular future for our planet and its inhabitants. The eight innovations that make up the Circular Economy Cohort were selected for their outstanding leadership across the five FS6 impact pillars of: Circularity, Healthy People, Vibrant Farms, and Justice & Fairness.

After weeks of deep diving into impact communications, coaching, and mentorship, we were thrilled to invite all eight companies to participate in a three-day immersive session hosted virtually by the FS6 and Huhtamaki teams.

In follow-up to the culminating event, and based on presentation and program participation, three companies have received additional equity-free grant funding as part of their program participation. SoluBlue and Andes Ag will receive $50k in funding to amplify their impact in the circular economy and Nafici Environmental Research will be receiving $100k and one year of on-call custom support from Food System 6  to support them in achieving their upcoming milestones.

We are honored to have had this opportunity to learn from and grow with all eight of these incredible leaders, experts, and change-makers over the past few weeks and look forward to further opportunities to collaborate with them as they enter into the broader FS6 community!

Learn more about each of these innovations on our Portfolio page.

Selection Criteria

Candidates were chosen through a rigorous selection process, in which system impact and economic viability of the business were taken into consideration. FS6 was looking for early-stage companies with a proven track-record of success. When we review the economic viability of the company or non-profit, we’re looking for a strong leader; a creative and innovative solution to a problem present in the current marketplace; key differentiators that set a particular product offering apart; and a strategy that takes into account a deep understanding of systems impact on the circular economy.

The companies were selected based on the FS6 selection process – with an additional focus on identifying innovations that are making change across the circular economy.

FS6 Impact Pillars
Across all our programs, FS6 prioritizes working with entrepreneurs who are building a food system that focuses on health, sustainability, and justice. We support early stage for-profit and non-profit entrepreneurs who are tackling one or more food system challenges across the following impact areas*:

HEALTHY PEOPLE

For example, innovations that:
  • Provide healthy food for all
  • Ensure the health and well-being of all people, inclusive of race and class
  • Connect people and the food system

VIBRANT FARMS

For example, innovations that:
  • Support sustainable family farms to thrive and be economically viable
  • Protect and care for farmers and farm-workers
  • Respect farm animals

SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS

For example, innovations that:
  • Sustain and grow a healthy environment
  • ​Enhance biodiversity
  • Promote agricultural and food distribution practices that mitigate climate change ​

JUSTICE & FAIRNESS

For example, innovations that:
  • Increase food access for all
  • Create just food system structures and cares for food system workers
  • Ensure that public institutions and local businesses support a just community food system
For the purposes of the Huhtamaki Circular Economy Startup Program, FS6 also scored applicants across a fifth impact area of circularity.

CIRCULARITY

For example, innovations that:
  • Design out waste and pollution
  • Keep products and materials in use
  • Regenerate natural systems
*The FS6 impact areas are adapted from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems, a values-based strategic planning and evaluation framework developed by the Center for Whole Communities and the Community Food Security Coalition.

FAQs

What is the Circular Economy?
Looking beyond the current take-make-waste extractive industrial model, a circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, and designing waste out of the system. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural, and social capital. It is based on three principles:
  • Design out waste and pollution
  • Keep products and materials in use
  • Regenerate natural systems

*This definition comes from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

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