About Circular Economy
There are 6.25K companies in the Circular Economy sector across the world, with 2.38K funded companies having collectively raised $58.3B in venture capital money and private equity. Overall 867 of these are Series A+ funded and the sector has seen the creation of 12 Unicorns.
Circular Economy sector has seen 210 acquisitions and 128 IPOs. This represents almost 5.4% of all such companies - which is higher than the 4.9% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes companies that provide solutions to reduce waste, pollution and regenerate natural system.
Companies included in Circular Economy sector
Companies that provide solutions to reduce and manage emissions, reduce and recycle waste, filter wastewater, renewable energy providers.Companies excluded in Circular Economy sector
It excludes companies providing generic eco-friendly products, sustainable technologies as well as consulting companies that provide advisory services for environmental protection.Market Map of Circular Economy
The market map of Circular Economy gives a visual overview of the sector, showing key business models, their interactions in the value chain, and industry evolution.
Reports related to Circular Economy
Here are some reports related to Circular Economy sector:
Free
Circular Economy - Sector Report
Edition: November, 2025 (87 Pages)
Premium
Circular Economy Investor Landscape
Edition: July, 2025 (12 Pages)
View all reports related to Circular Economy. Sign up today!Top Companies in Circular Economy
There are more than 6.25K companies in Circular Economy. Lohum is the top Circular Economy company globally, ranked using Tracxn Score (what's this?).
Here are 5 of the top Circular Economy companies globally:
Company | Description | Location | Founded | Current Stage | Private Funding Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recycles lithium-ion batteries and repurposes battery raw materials through low-carbon refining | Noida (India) | 2018 | Series B | $87.7M | |
Provider of digital solutions for sustainable waste management | Hyderabad (India) | 2016 | Series A | $40.9M | |
Provider of sensor‑based recycling and sorting solutions | Asker (Norway) | 1972 | Public | - | |
Automated kiosks for e-waste collection | San Diego (United States) | 2008 | Acquired | $398M | |
Provider of e-waste and lithium-ion battery recycling | Noida (India) | 2008 | Series C | $31.1M |
Companies founded year-on-year in the Circular Economy sector
6 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Circular Economy sector. 493 Circular Economy startups were founded in 2020 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 6 |
2025 | 28 |
2024 | 153 |
2023 | 295 |
2022 | 399 |
2021 | 454 |
2020 | 493 |
2019 | 466 |
2018 | 434 |
2017 | 346 |
Companies founded across countries in the Circular Economy sector
United States has 1,526 Circular Economy startups, the most by any country, followed by India which has 1,035 startups and United Kingdom which has 527.
- Total Number of Companies
Country | No. of companies |
|---|---|
United States | 1,526 |
India | 1,035 |
United Kingdom | 527 |
Germany | 295 |
Canada | 292 |
France | 175 |
China | 172 |
Netherlands | 153 |
Australia | 140 |
Italy | 130 |
Stage-wise distribution of the Circular Economy sector
Out of the total 6,251 Circular Economy companies, 2,376 have secured funding. Among them, 867 have reached Series A or higher, and 534 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 6,251
Funded - 2,376
Series A+ - 867
Series B+ - 534
Series C+ - 437
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 6,251 |
Funded | 2,376 |
Series A+ | 867 |
Series B+ | 534 |
Series C+ | 437 |
Want to know more about Circular Economy ? Signup and explore Tracxn for free
- 6.3K+ Total Companies
- $58.3B+ Total Funding
- 2.4K+ Funded Companies
- 125+ IPOs
- 205+ Acquisitions
Funding Trends in the Circular Economy sector
Total funding year-on-year in the Circular Economy sector
The Circular Economy sector saw a total funding of more than $43.8B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding was in 2023 at more than $10.2B. There has been a total funding of $854M in 2026 till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $854M |
2025 | $3.23B |
2024 | $4.96B |
2023 | $10.2B |
2022 | $7.56B |
2021 | $6.86B |
2020 | $1.82B |
2019 | $4.9B |
2018 | $2.61B |
2017 | $732M |
Total funding across countries in the Circular Economy sector
In the last 10 years, Circular Economy startups in United States have recieved the highest funding among all countries - $27.3B. Canada follows with $3.53B and United Kingdom with $2.26B.
- Total Funding
Country | Total Funding |
|---|---|
United States | $27.3B |
Canada | $3.53B |
United Kingdom | $2.26B |
Germany | $767M |
France | $761M |
India | $697M |
Sweden | $411M |
Netherlands | $299M |
Spain | $172M |
Italy | $110M |
Total funding amount raised by stage in the Circular Economy sector
Over the last 10 years, the Circular Economy sector have seen $1.89B into Seed Stage funding rounds, $12.7B into Early Stage funding rounds and $15.8B go into Late Stage funding rounds.
Funding Stage | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Late Stage | $15.8B |
Early Stage | $12.7B |
Debt | $8.63B |
Grant | $2.57B |
Seed Stage | $1.89B |
Post IPO | $1.52B |
PE | $454M |
Other-Equity | $298K |
Recent Funding Rounds in Circular Economy
In the year 2026, till March 2026, Circular Economy companies have raised $682M in equity funding across 50 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till March 2025), Circular Economy companies had raised $790M across 76 rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 13.58% drop in funding in Circular Economy companies as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Circular Economy:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series A | 8957 | Mar 30, 2026 | ||
Seed | 9402 | Mar 25, 2026 | ||
Series A | 3876 | Mar 24, 2026 | ||
Seed | 2925 | Mar 24, 2026 | and 2 more | |
Series B | 5533 | Mar 19, 2026 | - |
Top Investors in Circular Economy
Europa is the top investor in Circular Economy companies based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Circular Economy:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Oak Ridge (United States) | ||
Arlington (United States) | ||
Brussels (Belgium) | ||
Sunnyvale (United States) |
M&A activity in Circular Economy
In the year 2026, till February 2026, 4 acquisitions happened in Circular Economy sector. Last year, in 2025, a total of 20 acquisitions happened in Circular Economy sector.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Circular Economy:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Feb 06, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Feb 02, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jan 19, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jan 14, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Dec 22, 2025 |
Acquisition trends in Circular Economy
Here are the acquisition trends in Circular Economy:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 4 |
2025 | 20 |
2024 | 26 |
2023 | 42 |
2022 | 28 |
2021 | 21 |
2020 | 17 |
2019 | 18 |
2018 | 8 |
2017 | 7 |
IPOs in Circular Economy
In the year 2025, till September 2025, 2 IPOs happened in Circular Economy sector.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Circular Economy:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Sep 30, 2025 | National Stock Exchange (NSE) | |
Jan 22, 2025 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Dec 27, 2024 | National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) | |
Nov 26, 2024 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Nov 15, 2024 | Madrid Stock Exchange (BME) |
Colleges which produce the most Circular Economy companies
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Circular Economy sector
Most number of Circular Economy startups have been founded by alumni from Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Cambridge.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Stanford University | 45 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 43 |
University of Cambridge | 36 |
Imperial College London | 33 |
Harvard University | 32 |
University of California (Berkeley) | 29 |
Cornell University | 28 |
Columbia University | 21 |
University of Oxford | 18 |
University of Pennsylvania | 18 |
Total funding in companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the the Circular Economy sector
In the last 10 years, Stanford University graduates' Circular Economy companies have raised the most funding among top colleges. Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni are second, and Cornell University alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Stanford University | $5.96B |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $3.44B |
Cornell University | $1.28B |
Harvard University | $969M |
Stanford Business School | $969M |
University of Pennsylvania | $966M |
University of Oxford | $618M |
University of California (Berkeley) | $367M |
University of Cambridge | $355M |
Imperial College London | $342M |
Top News in Circular Economy
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Polska Grupa Biogazowa Aims to Quadruple Production by 2030Inwestycje.pl•Mar 25, 2026•Polska Grupa Biogazowa
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EIB Global invests EUR 40 million in 'Speedinvest Africa Fund'brutkasten•Mar 16, 2026•European Investment Bank, Speedinvest, Sistema
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EFSA's favorable opinion on Fermentalg's Galdieria Blue paves way for EU marketingWebDisclosure•Mar 16, 2026•Fermentalg
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SUEZ and PYREG Launch Integrated Pyrocarbonisation SolutionEuropaWire•Feb 11, 2026•SUEZ, PYREG, Aktor, PYREG and 2 others
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Zeus Launches PFX™ Platform & PFX Flex™ Sub-Lite-Wall™ for Catheter InnovationBusinessFortNight•Jan 29, 2026•Zeus
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ePac Europe announces expansion and technology investmentsPackaging News•Jan 20, 2026•ePac Flexible Packaging
