What Circularity does

Circularity e.V. is a Berlin-based, non-profit Do-Tank association founded in 2018 that focuses on the practical implementation of the Circular Economy at the company, industry, and systemic levels. The organization operates through three strategic programs — CiCEL (Circular Consumer Electronics, focused on electronics repair, recycling and resource recovery across the value chain), Undress (a collaborative industry project measuring the environmental impact of circular business models in consumer electronics), and InDiCE (a digital Circular Economy event series connecting Berlin's industry with digital economy stakeholders). It also runs Circularity Partners, a fee-based advisory arm providing consulting on circular business models, supply chain resilience, and regulatory compliance (ESPR, CSRD, CRMA). The organization does not sell software; its "technology" is a portfolio of proprietary frameworks, discussion papers, and whitepapers — most notably the Circular Business Model Impact (CBMI) methodology co-developed with Deloitte, Fraunhofer IZM, Systemiq and 12 industry partners.

The business model is a hybrid non-profit mix: recurring membership fees from a network of ~1,200 members and 25 expert professionals, fee-based consulting through Circularity Partners, institutional grants (including from Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt), and co-funded strategic programs with industry partners such as Siemens, Arup, Foxway, rebuy, Grover, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, MediaMarkt/Saturn, Otto Group and others. Go-to-market is community-led: awareness is generated through newsletters, LinkedIn, events, site visits, workshops, and publications; conversion into paid engagements happens through direct outreach to enterprise clients and program enrollment. Customer segments span multiple verticals — automotive, mechanical engineering, electronics, medical technology, chemicals & plastics, and construction & building technology — with a primary horizontal focus on businesses and corporations seeking to operationalize circular practices.

Geographically the organization's footprint is concentrated in Germany, with a specific Berlin focus through InDiCE (in cooperation with the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Business Operations). Operationally, a small core team of ~16 employees coordinates a broader expert and partner ecosystem, having organized 80+ events since inception. Governance is by a five-member board (Marianne Kuhlmann as Chair and co-founder, Dr. Paul Wöbkenberg as co-founder, Vera Meinert, Markus Plack for finance, and Johannes Schön), with no external venture or private equity ownership.

Name

Circularity

Legal name

Circularity e.V.

Website

https://circularity.me

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Circularity is a Berlin-based non-profit Do-Tank founded in 2018 that drives practical Circular Economy implementation for businesses across multiple industries through three strategic programs (CiCEL, Undress, InDiCE), proprietary frameworks like CBMI, a consulting arm (Circularity Partners), and a network of 1,200+ members and 25 expert professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Consulting

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Waste, Recycling & Circularity (On-site Programs) (BPABAAAL)

Keywords

• Circular economy consulting
• Sustainability advisory services
• Resource efficiency programs
• Circular business models
• Industry collaboration networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Circularity e.V. operates as a non-profit association supported by members who join the network. Members receive access to events, publications, and the expert network.
2. Consulting and advisory services: Circularity Partners, a specialized advisory arm, provides fee-based consulting services to companies on Circular Economy approaches, supply chain resilience, and regulatory compliance.
3. Strategic programs and project work: Circularity generates revenue through collaborative industry programs (CiCEL, Undress, InDiCE) funded by program partners, industry sponsors, and public grants including Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt.
4. Publications and reports: The organization publishes research reports, discussion papers, and whitepapers that may be made available for download or distribution, contributing to knowledge-building revenue streams.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Circularity e.V. is a non-profit Do-Tank that drives practical Circular Economy transformation through three flagship collaborative programs (CiCEL for consumer electronics, Undress for measuring circular business model impact, and InDiCE for Berlin-based industrial digitalization), supported by fee-based advisory through Circularity Partners, training, networking events, and research publications such as the proprietary Circular Business Model Impact (CBMI) framework.

Product overview

Circularity is a non-profit Do-Tank (Circularity e.V.) based in Berlin that operates as a strategic consultancy and research organization focused on circular economy transformation for businesses and society. It does not offer a software product or platform. Circularity's work is organized around three core strategic programs — CiCEL (Circular Consumer Electronics, focused on electronics repair and recycling), Undress (a collaborative industry project measuring circular business model impact in consumer electronics), and InDiCE (a digital circular economy event series for Berlin's industry) — complemented by consulting, training, networking facilitation, and research publications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CiCEL (Circular Consumer Electronics) A flagship collaborative program supporting enterprises across the consumer electronics value chain through networking, knowledge exchange, and concrete cooperation on circular solutions such as repair at scale, recycling, and resource recovery.
• Undress Project A collaborative industry project to evaluate and measure the environmental impact of circular business models in consumer electronics, developed with Deloitte, Fraunhofer IZM, Systemiq, and 12 industry partners, resulting in the CBMI framework.
• InDiCE Program (Digital Circular Economy) An event series connecting Berlin-based industrial companies with the digital economy to foster circular innovation, addressing topics such as digital twins, AI-enhanced cooling, and circular infrastructure design.
• Circularity Partners Consulting

Quantifiable outcome

• 80+ events organized since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ArupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircularity collaborated with Arup on a whitepaper titled 'Zirkuläre Geschäftsmodelle in der TGA' (Circular Business Models in Technical Building Equipment), providing an overview of circular approaches in TGA. The partnership also included joint workshops such as the InDiCE workshop on circular TGA solutions.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeloitte collaborated with Circularity on the Undress project to develop the Circular Business Model Impact (CBMI) methodology — the first practical framework to measure the environmental impact of circular business models, focusing on the product use phase.
• Fraunhofer IZMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer IZM partnered with Circularity in the Undress project to develop the Circular Business Model Impact methodology, contributing research expertise on electronics lifecycle assessment.
• SystemiqcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSystemiq collaborated with Circularity on the Undress project, bringing expertise in circular economy system transformation to develop the CBMI framework and consumer electronics case study.
• Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt supported the Undress project led by Circularity, providing funding that enabled the collaboration with industry partners, academia, and civil society to develop the CBMI methodology.
• SiemenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSiemens collaborated with Circularity on multiple initiatives including the InDiCE event series and workshops on circular TGA (Technical Building Equipment) solutions, contributing expertise on digital twins, AI-enhanced cooling optimization, and circular infrastructure design.
• AntlerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAntler co-hosted the InDiCE event on Digital Circular Economy with Circularity and the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Business Operations, bringing together founders, investors, and innovators in Berlin.
• Senatsverwaltung für Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe (Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Business Operations)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs supported the Digital Circular Economy event organized by Circularity and Antler, as part of the InDiCE series and the Masterplan Industriestadt Berlin initiative.
• 12 industry partners (Assurant, circulee, Everphone, fixfirst, Foxway, Grover, Ingram Micro, rebuy, Recommerce Group, Reverse Logistics Group, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwelve industry partners from the consumer electronics sector participated in the Undress project, contributing proprietary data to support the development of the CBMI framework and providing real-world insights into circular business model implementation. These partners represent various segments of the electronics value chain including recommerce, rental, repair, and recycling.
• Circular Economy Initiative BDIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircularity collaborates with the Circular Economy Initiative BDI on the InDiCE program series, jointly organizing events such as the kick-off event and the TGA circular economy event with Siemens, connecting Berlin industry with circular economy opportunities.
• Circularity PartnerscoreOthersCircularity Partners is the specialized consulting arm of Circularity e.V., providing advisory services to companies on circular economy approaches, supply chain resilience, and regulatory compliance. It is an interdisciplinary team of experts in design, supply chain management, regulatory affairs, technology development, science, sustainability, and strategy.
• KI Park e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKI Park e.V. collaborated with Circularity on an event exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and circular economy, bringing together AI specialists and circular economy experts to develop AI-based solutions for circular challenges.
• Deutsche Rohstoffagentur (DERA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDERA collaborated with Circularity on the InDiCE event series, providing expertise on critical raw materials, recycling, and Europe's raw materials strategy as part of events on strategic raw materials management.
• TSR RecyclingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSR Recycling participated in the CiCEL 2.0 kick-off webinar with DERA and Circularity, contributing practical insights on the challenges and opportunities in electronics recycling and raw material recovery.
• System 180minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSystem 180 hosted a Circularity InDiCE event focused on circular business models for durable products, sharing insights on take-back processes, repairs, resale, and rental as circular business model components.
• Ingram MicrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIngram Micro hosted a CiCEL 2.0 site visit at its authorized repair facility in Flensburg, providing insights into repair processes, lifecycle services, and standardization in the electronics repair sector.
• Interzero GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterzero hosted multiple Circularity events at its state-of-the-art sorting facility in Berlin, providing tours and insights into packaging waste sorting technology, automation, and digitalization of recycling processes.
• Foxway, Infineon, MediaMarkt/Saturn, Neew Ventures, Rebuy, Remondis, Otto Group (CiCEL 2.0 program partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese companies served as program partners for CiCEL 2.0, participating in workshops on repair at scale and contributing to collaborative projects aimed at advancing circular economy in consumer electronics through cross-value-chain cooperation.
• FairphoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFairphone participated in CiCEL 1.0, with founder Bas van Abel delivering the opening keynote on the journey to a fairer and more sustainable smartphone, contributing insights on circular and fair electronics design.
• rebuy recommerce GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerrebuy hosted CiCEL Event II and contributed expertise on recommerce business models and the potential for cooperation between recommerce and traditional companies in the electronics value chain.
• GroverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrover participated in the CiCEL stakeholder workshop and Undress project, contributing expertise on electronics rental and device-as-a-service business models.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Circle Economy: Amsterdam-based impact organization operating the Circularity Gap Reporting framework and providing circular economy advisory to businesses and governments. Closely comparable as a circular-economy-focused organization combining research, advisory, and a global network.
• Metabolic: Netherlands-based consultancy and think tank advising governments and companies on circular economy, climate, and sustainable systems. Comparable as a similarly-sized advisory/research hybrid working across value chains on practical circular implementation.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Leading global non-profit focused on accelerating the transition to a circular economy through thought leadership, education, and business programs. Comparable as a mission-driven organization that convenes corporates, develops circular frameworks, and publishes influential research.
• Eunomia Research & Consulting: Environmental consultancy advising on circular economy, waste management, and resource efficiency for public and private clients. Comparable as an advisory firm combining technical expertise with practical program design in circular economy.
• Systemiq: Systems-change consultancy working on circular economy, climate, and nature; co-developed the CBMI framework with Circularity. Comparable as a peer/partner organization operating in the same consulting + convening space across circular economy topics.

Broad incumbents

• Anthesis Group: Global sustainability consultancy serving corporates on circular economy, ESG, and supply chain topics. Comparable as a larger incumbent offering overlapping circular economy advisory, though serving enterprise clients at greater scale.
• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): Global non-profit consultancy working with businesses on sustainability, circularity, and human rights. Comparable as a non-profit advisory organization that convenes business networks and produces research-driven sustainability guidance.
• Sitra: Finnish Innovation Fund driving circular economy and sustainability programs in the Nordics with significant policy influence and funding capacity. Comparable as a publicly-funded circular economy organization with broader scope but similar non-profit, multi-stakeholder model.

Regional players

• Wuppertal Institut: German research institute focused on sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular economy with both applied research and policy advisory mandates. Comparable as a German thought leader producing frameworks and consulting for industry and government.
• WRAP: UK-based non-profit working with governments, businesses, and citizens to deliver circular economy and resource efficiency outcomes. Comparable as a mission-driven organization combining policy advisory, programs, and partnerships for circular transformation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/circularityinitiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Circularity