INCIEN - Inštitút cirkulárnej ekonomiky, o.z.

What INCIEN - Inštitút cirkulárnej ekonomiky, o.z. does

INCIEN - Inštitút cirkulárnej ekonomiky, o.z. is a Slovak non-profit civic association (občianske združenie) founded in March 2016 in Bratislava by environmental consultants Ivana Maleš, Petra Cséfalvayová, and Katarína Bednáriková. The organization is the Slovak counterpart of INCIEN CZ (Institute of Circular Economy, Czech Republic, operating since May 2015) and is dedicated exclusively to circular economy education, advocacy, and practical consulting. It serves three primary stakeholder groups: Slovak municipalities and local governments (Circular Maps across 17+ cities, Klimaskeny pre mestá climate assessments), companies and businesses seeking circular integration (commissioned studies, consulting, sustainability guidance), and the general public, students, and educators (Green Circular Academy, articles, Klimatická kuchyňa video content).

The organization operates as a multi-offering civic platform rather than a software product company. Its core products and services include the Cirkulárne mapy (Circular Maps) covering 17+ Slovak cities, the Klimatická kuchyňa (Climate Kitchen) video series, the Green Cultural Production Manual (with Trenčín 2026), the Places Gone waste-destination documentary project, the Green Circular Academy educational program, and Klimaskeny pre mestá municipal climate assessments. Technology is not proprietary; outputs are publications, interactive maps, and content rather than a unified software platform. There is no API, no SDK, and no AI capability disclosed.

INCIEN's revenue model is non-commercial. As a civic association, it is funded primarily through donations, grants (notably from Nadácia Tesco), and supporter contributions including the Slovak 2% income-tax designation. Paid commercial work is episodic and project-based, exemplified by the Life Cycle Assessment study commissioned by HEINEKEN Slovakia. Distribution is hybrid: direct engagement with municipalities and companies for consulting, combined with self-serve free downloads of publications and circular maps via the website. With 7 employees and 10 years of operating history, INCIEN functions as a lean advocacy and knowledge platform rather than a scaled service business.

Name

INCIEN - Inštitút cirkulárnej ekonomiky, o.z.

Legal name

Inštitút cirkulárnej ekonomiky, o.z.

Website

https://incien.sk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

INCIEN is a Slovak non-profit civic association founded in 2016 that promotes circular economy through education, consulting, and publications. It serves municipalities, businesses, and the public across 17+ Slovak cities, funded by grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability and Circular Economy Consulting

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), EHS Training, Competency & Culture Programs (BPAHAJAL)

Keywords

• Circular economy consulting
• Sustainability education
• Waste management studies
• Circular economy publications
• Climate assessment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bratislava

HQ country

Slovakia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

INCIEN is a non-profit civic association that promotes circular economy principles in Slovakia through consulting services for municipalities and companies (climate scans, waste analyses, circular economy studies), educational programs (Green Circular Academy, Climate Kitchen video series), interactive digital tools (Circular Maps covering 17+ Slovak cities), and a portfolio of publications and manuals (Green Cultural Production Manual, textile industry reports, Places Gone waste tracking project). The organization's offerings center on awareness-raising, practical consulting, and original research rather than a unified commercial product.

Product overview

INCIEN is a non-profit civil association (občianske združenie) focused on circular economy education, advocacy, and practical consulting. The organization operates as a multi-offering platform rather than a single product company, providing publications (Circular Economy Brochures, Textile Industry publication, Green Cultural Production Manual), interactive tools (Circular Maps covering 17 Slovak cities), educational programs (Green Circular Academy), climate assessment services for municipalities, and documentary projects (Places Gone). The offerings are centered on awareness-raising, education, and practical guidance rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Green Circular Academy: Educational program for graduates to gain an overview of circular economy and apply knowledge in practice in their own profession.
• Klimatická kuchyňa
• Places Gone (Miesta preč)
• Cirkulárne mapy

Products and services

• Cirkulárne mapy (Circular Maps) Interactive digital maps showing locations of circular economy venues (zero-waste shops, community composting sites, repair shops, lending libraries, collection points) across 17+ Slovak cities, including Bratislava, Košice, Žilina, Trenčín, Prešov, Nitra, Trnava, Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Prievidza, Bardejov, Dubnica nad Váhom, Liptovský Mikuláš, Malacky, Žiar nad Hronom, Pezinok, and Sabinov. Targeted at citizens and municipalities seeking circular economy venues.
• Klimatická kuchyňa (Climate Kitchen) Educational video series and recipe collection demonstrating low-carbon cooking techniques in collaboration with professional Slovak chefs, showing how everyday food preparation decisions impact greenhouse gas emissions. Targeted at the general public to raise awareness about sustainable food choices.
• Manuál zelenej kultúrnej produkcie (Green Cultural Production Manual) Practical guide for sustainable event and cultural production covering production phases, waste management, catering, accommodation, venue selection, transport, decoration, and artistic production. Created in collaboration with Trenčín 2026 for the cultural-creative industry.
• Textilný a odevný priemysel – problémy a riešenia (Textile and Clothing Industry Publication) Comprehensive publication examining environmental impacts and human rights issues in the textile and clothing industry, produced in partnership with Platforma rozvojových organizácií Ambrela. Available in Slovak and English.
• Miesta preč / Places Gone Documentary and mapping project revealing locations where waste ends up in Slovakia—landfills, incinerators, collection yards, recycling facilities—documenting the journey of waste from disposal to processing. Supported by Nadácia Tesco (Tesco Foundation).
• Štúdia jednorazové PET obaly, hliníkové plechovky verzus vratné sklenené fľaše (Disposable PET Packaging LCA Study) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study comparing environmental impacts of single-use PET, aluminum cans, and returnable glass bottles, commissioned by HEINEKEN Slovakia.
• Green Circular Academy Educational program for graduates and professionals (municipal politicians, public administrators, company representatives) providing an overview of circular economy principles and practical implementation knowledge they can apply in their own profession.
• Klimaskeny pre mestá (Climate Scans for Cities) Climate assessment services for Slovak municipalities providing practical, tangible solutions with measurable results and impact for local government climate action planning.
• Brožúra o cirkulárnej ekonomike na Slovensku (Circular Economy Brochure) Annual publication summarizing circular economy developments and solutions available in Slovakia, featuring interviews with Ministry of Environment, SAZP (Environmental Agency), and business stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.7 tonnes bio-waste reduced to 170 kg compost at POHODA festival
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• INCIEN CZ (Inštitút cirkulární ekonomiky)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2016INCIEN Slovakia was established as a partner organization of INCIEN Czech Republic, which has operated since May 2015. The Czech institute brought practical circular economy approaches to the Czech Republic, inspiring the creation of a Slovak counterpart to spread circular economy principles in Slovakia.
• Platforma rozvojových organizácií AmbrelacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on publication about textile and clothing industry problems and solutions, addressing environmental and human rights impacts of the textile industry.
• Trenčín 2026coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint creation of the Green Cultural Production Manual for the cultural-creative industry, developed from genuine commitment to sustainability in Trenčín.
• OZ MYesto / BÚDAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the circular map of Žiar nad Hronom city.
• Klimatická KoalíciacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINCIEN participates in the Klimatická Koalícia platform, sharing personal data with member organizations for joint climate action activities.
• HEINEKEN SlovakiasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned study comparing single-use PET packaging, aluminum cans versus returnable glass bottles, using Life Cycle Assessment methodology.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• RREUSE: European federation of social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling. Comparable mission around circular economy with municipal/NGO coalition model.
• Circle Economy: Dutch impact organization producing the widely cited Circularity Gap Report and providing circular economy advisory services to governments and corporates globally. Operates at significantly larger scale with similar consulting-and-advocacy model.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: UK-based global foundation leading circular economy thought leadership, education programs, and corporate partnerships (e.g., with the World Economic Forum). Comparable mission around circular economy transition, though at global rather than national scale.
• WRAP: UK-based climate NGO working with governments, businesses, and citizens on circular economy, particularly around resource efficiency and food waste. Comparable mission and consulting/research model.
• Zero Waste Europe: European network of zero-waste organizations advancing circular economy policy and practice across member states. Comparable advocacy-and-education model with municipal/community engagement across Europe.
• Sitra: Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, a future-oriented think tank and funder that has been a leading European voice on circular economy roadmaps. Comparable national-level circular economy thought leadership and convening role.

Emerging players

• Metabolic: Dutch sustainability consultancy and impact organization providing circular economy, climate, and data-driven environmental advisory services. Comparable consulting-and-systems-thinking model, though more commercial.
• Closed Loop Partners: US-based investment firm and innovation center focused on building circular economy infrastructure through funding, consulting, and partnerships with brands and municipalities. Comparable multi-stakeholder model with consulting and convening roles.
• Enviro stratégie (Envirostrat): Environmental and circular economy consultancy advising businesses, governments, and NGOs on sustainability strategy. Comparable consulting offerings to corporate and municipal clients.

Direct peers

• INCIEN CZ (Institut cirkulární ekonomiky): The Czech sister organization founded in May 2015, sharing the same name, mission, and operating model focused on circular economy advocacy, education, and consulting. Most directly comparable peer; INCIEN SK was established as its Slovak partner in 2016.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/inciensk
• Facebookfacebook.com/inciensk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-cirkularnej-ekonomiky-o-z-incien
• Instagraminstagram.com/incien_sk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INCIEN - Inštitút cirkulárnej ekonomiky, o.z.