The BlueCity Circular Challenge offers you the opportunity to join the circular economy. We challenge you to develop a circular business case and a tangible proof of concept within six weeks. During these six weeks you will be guided by circular frontrunners, designers and financial experts. You will work in a small, multidisciplinary team of high potentials and get the opportunity to transform a waste stream into a circular product for one of our participating companies. The most promising teams are guided towards a setting up a real startup.
Ludvig Svensson (climate screens)
Ludvig Sevensson is a Swedish multinational that produces climate solutions for greenhouses. The waste stream they bring to the challenge are climate screens (curtains). These come in three different types, each with different properties. The challenge is to develop a new product with these climate screens that has economic added value and, preferably, can be used in the agro/greenhouse sector again.
Province of South-Holland (duckweed)
Duckweed is a plant that floats freely on water, it's one of the fastest growing plants in the world and often causes problems for life under water. That's why it's removed and either composted or incinerated. However, in theory, this waste stream has a lot of potential because it's a protein rich crop that grows quickly. The challenge is to develop a new product with Duckweed that has economic added value and is scalable.
Food bank Haaglanden and Rotterdam (fruit and vegetables)
The food bank obtains food from companies and institutions for free in order to distribute this among people in need. However, also the food bank is left with some leftover food. The challenge is to develop a high-quality economically viable product with the leftover fruit and vegetables.
Previous Circular Challenges have resulted in a wide variety of circular concepts, products and services. For example, mobile playgrounds made from old plastic fishing nets provided by the Port of Rotterdam or water-permeable tiles, made from a waste stream of dredge.
The BlueCity Circular Challenge offers you a great experience and a serious network in the circular economy. Furthermore, you’ll be given the opportunity to develop your circular business case in a real life startup. In addition you’ll be able to make a name for yourself. In the past, the products designed during the BlueCity Circular Challenge have been presented at the Dutch Design Week, the International Water Week and the salon del Mobile in Milan. Lastly, a way to socialize with like minded people – Corona proof style!
Everyone is welcome to participate, your educational background or age does not matter!
This edition will start on September 14th and ends on November the 2nd.
The challenge will take up 8 to 16 hours of your time on a weekly basis.
Meetings, lectures and workshops are on Mondays.
You enroll individually and when you’re selected we will discuss which of the teams suits you best.
BlueCity and its partners are committed to the health and safety of all participants, organizers and other stakeholders. A limited amount of smaller and carefully curated sessions may take place offline. These sessions are organized according to the Dutch Government and RIVM guidelines. Any developments around the Coronavirus and the guidelines are closely monitored and adequate measures (adjustments or cancellation) will be taken if the circumstances so require.