How can Europe close the gap between circular ambition and investment reality? This was the central question explored at CircularInvest's final event, which brought together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and local government representatives on 15th October in Brussels to identify practical solutions for scaling circular businesses across Europe.

A key message emerging throughout the day was that the challenge is not simply a lack of finance. While the European Commission highlighted the estimated €82 billion annual investment gap needed to deliver the circular transition, speakers repeatedly stressed that many circular projects struggle because markets, regulations, infrastructure, and financial assessment frameworks remain largely designed for linear business models.

In the opening session, European Commission representatives emphasised that successful circular investments require both investable projects and markets in which they can thrive. Early engagement between project promoters and investors, stronger business planning, and supportive local ecosystems were identified as critical success factors. Participants also heard how lessons from Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) projects are already helping shape future European policy developments.

The discussion on financing circular businesses revealed a common challenge: circular business models often generate environmental, social, and resource-security benefits that are not fully reflected in conventional investment assessments. Speakers highlighted how circular companies continue to face structural disadvantages related to risk perception, fragmented supply chains, and limited demand for circular products and services. The panel called for closer alignment between public policy and private finance, including better recognition of the resilience and long-term value created by circular business models.

Real-world examples from Recirculate Systems, CircularPort, and The Ocean Package demonstrated how these challenges play out in practice. Despite operating in very different sectors, all three companies highlighted the importance of tailored investment-readiness support, strategic partnerships, and access to networks that help bridge the gap between innovation and commercial scale-up.

The role of cities and regions emerged as another recurring theme. Panellists agreed that local authorities play a crucial role in creating enabling conditions through procurement, ecosystem development, regulatory support, and stakeholder coordination. However, they also identified persistent gaps between the support businesses require and the tools currently available, particularly when moving from pilot projects to large-scale deployment.

The event concluded with collaborative workshops exploring the perspectives of investors, founders, and policymakers. Across discussions, a shared conclusion emerged: unlocking circular investment requires systemic change. Strengthening investment readiness remains important, but achieving scale will also depend on better policy frameworks, stronger local ecosystems, improved market conditions, and closer collaboration across the entire circular economy value chain.

We invite readers to explore the key CircularInvest outputs developed for investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers. The Investor guide, the Step-by-step guide for project owners as well as the policy briefs (1 and 2) translate the project's lessons into actionable recommendations and tools to help accelerate circular investment and create the conditions needed for circular businesses to scale across Europe.