ircular Valley® is a globally unique hotspot for establishing a future-oriented circular economy. International start-ups, companies, science and politics meet in Circular Valley®. Across sectors and technologies, they work together to close material cycles along existing value chains, develop policy recommendations and sustainably inform the public about the topic of the circular economy. Circular Valley®, the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Region, is developing into the global centre of the circular economy. Germany's largest metropolitan region offers five location advantages that are unique worldwide: 1. Global market leaders from all sectors and stages of the value chain with. 2. The region is the centre of the European players in the circular economy. 3. Large number of universities and scientific institutions. 4. A region attractive for talents from all over the world. 5. The Circular Valley® was already the scene of the first and second industrial revolutions on the European mainland in the 18th and 19th centuries. The non-profit Circular Valley® Foundation is the sponsor of the Circular Economy Accelerator.

With approximately 350,000 inhabitants, Wuppertal is the largest city and the industrial, economic, educational and cultural center of the Bergisches Land in western Germany.

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition. We design our products and services to serve the most essential human needs of health and nutrition. At the same time, we strive to address some of the world’s biggest challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At Bayer, we’re committed to driving sustainable development and generate a positive impact with our businesses. Through the power of science, we’re pioneering new possibilities that advance life for all of us. That means reimagining how we care for ourselves and one another by empowering everyday health, improving approaches to patient care, and finding better ways to nourish our communities around the world. Health for All, Hunger for None

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, focus on key issues that define the future: we are pushing ahead with the digital transformation of state government services and support businesses on their path into the digital age. When it comes to the energy transition, we are banking on innovation and technological advances in the pursuit of our aim to turn North Rhine-Westphalia into Europe’s most modern, climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable centre of industry. North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's most populous state and also the most densely populated region. In 2021 the state in west Germany generated 21 percent of the national GDP, topping all other states. The economy of North Rhine-Westphalia is extremelly well connected internationally with a global focus.

Zaz Ventures helps high-impact deeptech startups raise EU and Swiss funding. With their pure success fee model, they have established themselves as leaders for the most competitive funding instruments—with over €1bn funding raised for 140+ startups since 2021 and consistently market-leading success rates. Their focus is on the EIC Accelerator & Transition, the Innovation Fund and the Swiss Accelerator & Startup Innovation Projects.

ShapingBio is an EU-funded project that promotes innovation in the European bioeconomy across sectoral, governmental and geographical levels by providing evidence-based information and recommendations for better policy alignment as well as supporting & integrating stakeholders in the bio-based sectors.