Circular Movement

What Circular Movement does

Circular Movement (Movimento Circular) is a São Paulo-based, nonprofit multisectoral initiative founded in 2017 and coordinated by Instituto Atina (Atina Educação). It operates as a convening platform for the circular economy in Latin America, bringing together corporations, educational institutions, social organizations, and public authorities under a tiered membership model (Nível 1 through Master), with Dow serving as the Pioneer Partner and additional Visionary Partners including 3M, Scania, Mars, Electrolux, Magalu, Valgroup, Avery Dennison, and Sabesp. The organization self-describes as the largest multisectoral circular economy initiative in Latin America, claims to have reached millions of people, and tracks 1,500+ media mentions.

The organization's primary product is Circular Academy, a Moodle-based e-learning platform that delivers free circular economy courses in Portuguese, English, and Spanish with completion certificates. Adjacent offerings include the Initiatives Map (a collaborative registration and showcase tool for circular economy actions across Latin America), BNCC-aligned curriculum materials for Brazilian K-12 schools and Higher Education, and partner-produced content series such as Scania's 'Série Circularidade'. Distribution mixes self-serve digital enrollment (global) with direct enterprise partnership management (regional, Latin America-focused).

The revenue model is a hybrid of freemium and subscription: individual access to Circular Academy and certifications is free, while organizational revenue is generated through tiered partnership memberships whose specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization is privately held, parented by the nonprofit Instituto Atina, has 12 employees, and reports no venture funding, acquisitions, or institutional investment; its expansion has been partnership-led rather than capital-led.

Name

Circular Movement

Legal name

Circular Movement (Movimento Circular)

Website

https://movimentocircular.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Circular Movement is a Brazilian nonprofit multisectoral initiative coordinating 90+ corporate, institutional, and academic partners to advance circular economy education across Latin America via its free Circular Academy e-learning platform and tiered partnership program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Education

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

Keywords

• Circular economy education
• Sustainability training platforms
• Corporate sustainability partnerships
• Online learning certification
• Multistakeholder advocacy networks

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Organizational Membership Tiers: Circular Movement generates revenue through tiered organizational partnership memberships (Nível 1, Nível 2, Nível 3, Master). Each tier provides escalating benefits including logo exposure, exclusive newsletter access, networking events, VIP priority access, special project conditions, content co-production, expert dialogue facilitation, customized circular economy courses, and exclusive hands-on event activation.
2. Individual Engagement (Free): Individual participation is primarily free, including access to the Circular Academy courses with certificates. The organization encourages individuals to become certified Multiplying Persons through course completion, with the goal of expanding circular economy awareness and practice across Latin America.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Circular Movement delivers free circular economy education through its Circular Academy, an online Moodle-based learning platform offering beginner-level courses with completion certificates in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. For organizations, it operates a tiered partnership program (Nível 1 through Master) that provides networking, content co-production, customized training, and visibility across a multisectoral Latin American ecosystem of 90+ corporate, academic, and civil society partners.

Product overview

Circular Movement operates as a circular economy education and advocacy organization rather than a traditional product company. Their primary offering is Circular Academy (https://academy.movimentocircular.io/), an open online learning platform powered by Moodle that provides free courses on Circular Economy. The platform offers courses in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, including the flagship 'Introdução à Economia Circular' course. All courses are free, provide certificates upon completion, and are designed for beginners with approximately 6-hour durations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Circular Academy: The first open school for circular economy education, offering free online courses with certificates in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Part of the Movimento Circular ecosystem.

Products and services

• Circular Academy Moodle-based online learning platform providing free circular economy courses with completion certificates, available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish with approximately 6 hours of beginner-level content per course. Targets individuals seeking personal sustainability knowledge and organizational learners.
• Organizational Partnership Memberships (Nível 1, Nível 2, Nível 3, Master) Tiered recurring membership program offering corporations and organizations escalating benefits including brand exposure, networking events, content co-production with the movement, expert dialogue facilitation, customized circular economy training, and exclusive activation opportunities.
• BNCC-Aligned Educational Materials for Schools Curated circular economy educational materials including videos, downloadable teaching resources, and classroom activities aligned with the Brazilian National Curricular Base (BNCC) from Elementary through High School, designed for schools, teachers, and educational institutions.
• Initiatives Map Mapping and registration tool that allows individuals and organizations to publish and showcase their circular economy initiatives, building a visible collaborative network of circular actions across Latin America.

Quantifiable outcome

• Millions of people impacted through educational content and partner initiatives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, visionary, institutional and ally.

• DowflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDow serves as the Pioneer Partner of Circular Movement, bringing science-based materials innovation expertise. As a global materials science company with sustainability at the center of its innovations, Dow contributes expertise and credibility to the circular economy movement while benefiting from association with the largest Latin American circular economy initiative.
• Instituto AtinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstituto Atina coordinates the Circular Movement, born from nearly 20 years of experience in education, articulation, and collective impact projects in Brazil. It brings expertise in promoting circular economy with companies, governments, and other stakeholders across Latin America.
• 3MvisionaryStrategic or Co-development Partner3M is a Visionary Partner contributing as a reference in science-based innovation with sustainability focus. As a global science company, 3M brings expertise in materials science and collaborative innovation to the circular economy ecosystem.
• Scania Latin AmericavisionaryGTM or Marketing PartnerScania Latin America, a commercial vehicles company, partners with Circular Movement producing content series like 'Série Circularidade' showcasing their circular economy practices and alternatives. Active participant in circularity initiatives.
• MarsvisionaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMars is a Visionary Partner engaged in circular economy transformation. The global confectionery and pet care company contributes to sustainable business practices discussions and initiatives.
• ValgroupvisionaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerValgroup is a Visionary Partner focused on circular plastics and recycling. As a company in the plastics sector, Valgroup contributes expertise in plastic circularity and sustainable packaging solutions.
• AvinainstitutionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvina is an Institutional Partner supporting the Circular Movement with expertise in sustainability and regional collaboration across Latin America.
• SebraeinstitutionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSebrae (Brazilian Support Service to Micro and Small Enterprises) partners with Circular Movement to promote circular economy among small businesses and entrepreneurs across Brazil.
• Magazine Luiza (Magalu)visionaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagalu Sustentável initiative partners with Circular Movement bringing retail sector perspective on sustainable consumption and circular business practices.
• ElectroluxvisionaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrolux partners with Circular Movement contributing consumer appliances perspective on sustainable products and circular design principles.
• Tecnológico de MonterreyinstitutionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerTecnológico de Monterrey is an educational institutional partner bringing academic expertise and research capabilities to circular economy education in Mexico.
• Inova USPinstitutionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInova USP (University of São Paulo's innovation hub) partners with Circular Movement to bridge academic research and circular economy practice.
• SabespvisionaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSabesp (Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo) partners with Circular Movement bringing water and sanitation sector perspective on circular resource management.
• Avery DennisonvisionaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvery Dennison is a Visionary Partner contributing labeling and materials technology expertise for sustainable packaging and circular labeling solutions.
• Global Compact (Pacto Global)institutionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Compact Network Brazil is an institutional partner providing UN sustainability framework alignment and global corporate sustainability network connections.
• Virada SustentávelallyStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirada Sustentável is an Ally partner, a Brazilian sustainable development initiative contributing to public engagement and environmental awareness events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Circle Economy: Dutch impact organization providing circular economy data, tools, and training to businesses and governments. Closely comparable in combining circular economy education, advisory services, and multi-stakeholder programs.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Global nonprofit foundation dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular economy through education, business initiatives, and policy advocacy. Most direct analog to Circular Movement's mission, network-of-partners model, and educational content production.
• Avina Foundation: Latin American foundation supporting sustainable development through partnerships with civil society, business, and government. Listed as an institutional partner of Circular Movement and highly comparable in mission and operating geography.
• Pacto Global / UN Global Compact Network Brazil: Local UN Global Compact network in Brazil, listed as an institutional partner of Circular Movement. Comparable as a corporate sustainability network providing education, training, and convening for Brazilian organizations.

Emerging players

• Material Economics: Nordic consultancy focused on circular economy and sustainability transformation for corporates and governments. Comparable in producing sector-specific circularity research and corporate engagement, though more advisory-led than community-led.

Regional players

• CEBDS (Conselho Empresarial Brasileiro para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável): Brazilian business council for sustainable development that convenes leading companies on ESG and circular economy issues. Comparable regional convening role with corporate partners in Brazil.
• Instituto Akatu: Brazilian nonprofit focused on conscious consumption and sustainability education. Comparable in mission, nonprofit status, and Brazilian educational content production targeting individuals and companies.

Broad incumbents

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): Global CEO-led organization advocating for sustainable business, with circular economy as a core workstream. Larger incumbent with similar multi-stakeholder convening model and corporate member base.
• Fundación Ellen MacArthur (LatAm programs): Same organization as Ellen MacArthur Foundation but emphasizing its emerging Latin America school and learning programs. Represents a key potential competitor in the same regional content niche Circular Movement occupies.
• Sitra Circular Economy Programmes: Finnish Innovation Fund's circular economy programmes are widely cited examples of national-level circular economy initiatives. Comparable in operating as a funded intermediary driving corporate, government, and educational engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=movimentocircular
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/movimento-circular

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Circular Movement