Circular economy ventures create value across environmental, social and economic dimensions — but most entrepreneurship support frameworks are designed for traditional linear start-ups. This gap leaves Entrepreneurship Support Organisations without clear guidance on how to help circular ventures communicate their unique value, measure multidimensional impact or navigate markets built for linear business models.

The Circular Venture Blueprint addresses this critical need. Co-created by 14 organisations from Bengaluru and Nairobi through the Circular Economy Innovation Cluster, it provides practical frameworks, tools and methodologies specifically designed for supporting circular economy ventures globally.

The Blueprint covers three core principles: 

• Develop tailored circular economy capacities: Help ventures communicate their unique circular value to investors and navigate markets designed for linear businesses.
• Build real ecosystem connections: Create long-term partnerships across the value chain—from suppliers and customers to informal workers and investors.
• Turn monitoring into support: Use milestones to enable learning and adaptation, tailoring approaches to venture maturity and sharing what has been learned across the ecosystem.
   

Each principle includes practical tools, case studies and methodologies tested through real venture support. 

It includes practical tools like the 10R Framework and Circular Business Development Canvas, case studies and clear explanations of circular economy fundamentals including upstream vs. downstream innovation.

The Blueprint was coordinated by Climate KIC, GrowthAfrica and SecondMuse and funded by the IKEA Foundation.