The Huhtamaki Circular Economy Startup Program by Food Systems 6

 

We are proud to support FS6 as a legal partner and advisor to their cohorts. As such, it is our pleasure to share their most recent program partnership with Huhtamaki.

Food System 6 is excited to announce a new program sponsored by Huhtamaki, aimed at surfacing and supporting the most innovative circular economy startups worldwide. ​The purpose of this program is 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 will offer mentorship, advising, and networking opportunities to help amplify the impact and reach of these solutions.
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Whether you are solving for waste utilization, building upon regenerative production models, or optimizing material use, we want to hear from you!

>>>Applications open June 15th - August 15th, 2020<<<

FS6 Application Webinar

Join the FS6 team as we share details for applying to the Huhtamaki Circular Economy Startup Program! This webinar will cover program specifics, the application process and timeline, and leave plenty of time for your questions.

Webinar Dates:
June 30th at 12:00 P.M. PDT
July 16th at 12:00 P.M. PDT

About the Program

The Huhtamaki Circular Economy Startup Program by Food System 6 will support a cohort of up to 8 entrepreneurs, working in all business entity types, in their efforts to create a more circular economy. Participants will receive coaching and mentorship in lead-up to a three-day event in Helsinki, Finland, where founders will engage with and learn from subject matter experts from the Huhtamaki community of industry leaders.

Selected companies will receive a grant of up to $15k, intended to support participation and travel for one participant to the 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland. In addition, FS6 will select up to 3 of these companies to receive additional grants of up to an aggregate of $200k and 1 company will receive a full year of mentorship and support from the FS6 ecosystem.

Companies chosen for the program must fulfill the following terms:

  • Engage in all programmatic elements of the cohort program

  • One representative from each company must attend the 3-day cohort intensive in Helsinki

  • All companies and their representatives must uphold the values of Food System 6   


For additional details, read the complete Huhtamaki Circular Economy Program Terms & Conditions

Timeline/Location Details

Applications for the Huhtamaki Circular Economy Startup Program are open between June 15th and August 15th, 2020. To be assured consideration for the program, your Stage I application must be received by August 15th, 2020.

Circular Economy Program - Important Dates:

  • June 15, 2020  -  Open Call for Applicants

  • June 30, 2020  -  Application Q&A Webinar #1 (Register Here)

  • July 16, 2020  -  Application Q&A Webinar #2 (Register Here)

  • August 15, 2020  -  Application Deadline

  • October 1, 2020  -  Virtual Program Kick-off

  • November 10-12, 2020  -  In-person Program (Helsinki, Finland)

  • December 15, 2020  -  Program Close

**Dates are subject to change

What is FS6 Looking For?

Candidates are chosen through a rigorous selection process, in which system impact and economic viability of the business are taken into consideration. FS6 is 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 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 will be 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 will also be scoring applicants across a fifth impact area of circularity. Visit the program page here to learn more.

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.

For questions about whether or not a company is a fit for the FS6 Accelerator, check out our FAQs and sign up for the Application Q&A Webinar.

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.

Who should apply?
FS6 is seeking a diverse set of applicants that are solving for the many opportunities across the circular production model.
This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Waste diversion, recycling, or repurposing solutions

  • Sustainable packaging alternatives

  • New materials innovations

  • Regenerative production models

 
Samantha Gee