The Circular by Design Challenge is aimed at enabling the development of new design solutions and innovative business models that are in line with the principles of the circular economy.
During an online pitching session on 6 January, 19 applicants presented their ideas to the members of the jury composed of (public and private) national and international experts in industry and the circular economy.
“This was very useful to better understand the projects and give the jury the opportunity to clarify some essential questions,” says Marc Lis, the manager of the Luxembourg Creative Industries Cluster of Luxinnovation.
After the great success of the first edition, which took place in the first half of 2021, the programme is now open to entrepreneurs based anywhere in Europe. 5 of the 12 projects finally selected by the jury were initially set up outside Luxembourg.
Two of the programme’s categories, “Mobility” and “Industry”, were finally merged due to the low number of projects submitted and the overlap of the proposed themes. In addition, four projects were retained in the “Fashion Design” category, due to the jury’s equal votes.
Finally, a “Youth” category (open to students) had also been proposed and saw two projects selected for specific support, lighter than the coaching for companies.
A prize of €7,000
“It is impressive to see the enthusiasm of these creative minds and their various ideas to propose circular solutions in the different categories. Luxinnovation is looking forward to taking them on their entrepreneurial journey, together with the partners, experts and coaches who will contribute to the coaching programme,” says Anja Höthker, Project Manager at Luxinnovation, who supervised and coordinated the entire selection process.
The 12-week coaching programme will start with two days of workshops on 13 and 14 January. At the end of this second edition of the Circular by Design Challenge, the winning projects will be rewarded with partnership agreements with industrial partners to jointly implement and produce their ideas.
Each winner will also receive a prize of €7,000, participation in an additional 4-week virtual international accelerator programme provided by US accelerator gener8tor and 6 months of free access to co-working office space.
SELECTED PROJECTS
Mobility/Industry 4.0
- GELT (Finland) : use end-of-life tyres to produce green roof solutions.
- Green Earth Trading (Luxembourg) : blockchain-based tracking technology to facilitate a circular supply chain for the agricultural sector in Ghana.
Fashion Design
- Repair Rebels (Germany) : digital platform to facilitate shoe and textile repair using local craftmanship.
- Uthentic (Luxembourg) : Phygital fashion brand aiming to reduce waste during the design and production phase and minimise stocking space.
- WaterSports Textile (UK / Belgium) : new lightweight NIM (nano insulating material) swimwear textile combining recycled polyamide with waste microplastics and integrated micro-tracers.
- INFINITY undergarments (Switzerland) : innovative business model to set up a circular underwear brand.
Sustainable Cities
- on.perfekt Babyfood (Luxembourg) : use of local, non-standard vegetables for producing baby food.
- SORĠI – LUX edition (Malte) : transforming construction waste into outdoor furniture.
- Wasch (Luxembourg) : locally manufactured, ecological laundry detergent with circular packaging.
Luxembourg – Let’s make it happen
- Colors of Luxembourg (Luxembourg) : locally produced textiles using reclaimed linen, e.g. from curtains in CFL trains.
- Multi Purpose Balm (Luxembourg) : locally produced balm aiming to reduce the number of cosmetic products that a person needs for their personal hygiene.
- RF:Cocoon (Luxembourg) : transformation of discarded fiberglass cylinders into light pieces, tested, upcycled, designed, crafted and built specifically in Luxembourg.
Youth
- Empowerart (Luxembourg) : online market place for handcrafts with textile waste.
- Willop (Luxembourg) : a collapsible, mobile bus stop for accommodating temporary road works and producing solar energy.
More information on https://creativecluster.lu/circular-design-challenge