About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The CirculaRise Accelerator is implemented by Yunus Environment Hub in different country contexts, adapting the program framework to local ecosystems while maintaining a consistent approach across implementations.
In Kenya, the CirculaRise Accelerator is supported by the Employment promotion for women for the green transformation in Africa (WE4D) programme, which is funded by the German government and the IKEA Foundation and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It supports businesses that are driving circular economy solutions or are ready to integrate circular principles into their business models, with a particular focus on advancing women’s economic participation and leadership.
The Challenge
Kenya is facing increasing environmental pressure driven by unsustainable consumption patterns, resource depletion, and rising waste generation. A transition towards a circular economy is essential to address these challenges. For this transition to be effective and equitable, it must be inclusive and accessible to a broad range of economic actors.
Social businesses play a central role in driving this transition by combining entrepreneurial approaches with a clear social and environmental mission. Despite their potential, many social businesses in Kenya face persistent barriers, including limited access to finance, technical expertise, and markets, as well as the challenge of balancing impact objectives with financial sustainability.
Women entrepreneurs are often disproportionately affected by these barriers, facing additional constraints related to access to capital, visibility, and participation within the business ecosystem.
Our Solution
The CirculaRise Accelerator empowers businesses in Kenya to lead the transition towards a socially-inclusive circular economy. Through structured support, the program enables participants to innovate within the circular economy, strengthen their business models, and create green jobs for women.
Through 10 personalised coaching sessions across six months – half delivered on-site at your business premises, half virtual – local Kenyan experts work directly with founders on circular operations, gender-responsive growth strategies, and investor readiness. The program culminates in a graduation pitch day connecting participants directly to a Tier-1 Kenyan bank and other investors.
CirculaRise Accelerator in Kenya - Applications Open
The program is designed to help participating businesses strengthen their circular strategy, improve customer readiness, and scale their impact while remaining grounded in financial sustainability, with a particular focus on advancing women’s economic participation.
Over the course of six months, each participating business is required to take part with two designated individuals who must be the founder(s) and CEOs. Both participants receive personalised coaching, take part in expert-led trainings, and engage in structured peer learning with other participating businesses.
At least one of the two participants must be directly involved in strategic decision-making to ensure the business has the internal capacity to develop and implement a circular strategy.
Key Components of the CirculaRise Accelerator
6-Month coaching program
10 personalised coaching sessions (5 on-site, 5 virtual)
2 immersive 3-day on-site trainings, on Circular economy and gender
Local Kenyan experts
Coaches with hands-on experience in circular operations
Specialists in gender-responsive business growth
On-the–ground delivery across four regions
Tested SME Loop methodology
Capital access + visibility
Graduation Pitch Day with Tier-1 investors
Alumni network with access to global CE platforms
Visibility through events and international conferences
.
Program Timeline
Application Timeline
June to August 2026
Results Announcement
On rolling basis
Kick-off Meeting
August
2026
Training & Coaching
July to December 2026
Graduation Ceremony
December 2026 / January 2027
Program Activities and Time Commitment
PhaseActivitiesTime commitmentKick-offVirtual Kick-off Event (Introduction to the program and learning journey)2 hoursTrainingOn-site Training 1 – Business Analysis3 daysCoachingCoaching Phase 1 (2 on-site and 2 virtual coaching sessions)8 hoursTrainingOn-site Training 2 – Business Improvement Planning3 daysCoachingCoaching Phase 2 (3 on-site and 3 virtual coaching sessions)12 hoursGraduationGraduation Ceremony (Nairobi)1 day
Eligibility Criteria
The CirculaRise Accelerator in Kenya is designed for businesses that meet the following criteria:
Registered legal entities in Kenya
Operational for at least three years
SMEs by size, employing between 10 and 250 people
Active in, or interested in transitioning towards, circular economy practices
Demonstrated commitment to social impact
Women-led, women-owned, or women-managed businesses, or businesses that demonstrably support women’s economic participation
How to apply