On 21 October 2026, the Circular Investment Readiness Network (CIRN) hosted its tenth and final session under the CircularInvest project, bringing together around 60 participants from across Europe to explore how upcoming EU regulatory developments could shape the future of circular economy businesses. The session featured expert insights, practical examples and an interactive discussion on the opportunities and challenges that circular startups may face in the years ahead.
Moderated by Victoria Miles of ICLEI Europe, the session focused on two major policy developments currently being shaped at EU level: the proposed Public Procurement Act and the forthcoming Circular Economy Act. Helena O'Rourke-Potocki, an expert in sustainable and innovation procurement at ICLEI Europe, outlined how the new Public Procurement Act could simplify procurement rules, strengthen the role of circularity in public purchasing and create new opportunities for startups to access public markets through innovation-focused procurement mechanisms. She also provided an overview of the expected objectives of the Circular Economy Act, which aims to increase Europe’s circularity rate and strengthen markets for secondary raw materials.
The discussion was enriched by perspectives from finance and business. Marvin Nusseck of Circular Economy Foundation highlighted how greater legal certainty and stronger demand for secondary materials could improve investment conditions for circular businesses. Meanwhile, Marc Melús from Blue Room Innovation - a CircularInvest beneficiary - shared how clearer EU-wide rules could support cross-border growth, improve market access and increase demand for digital traceability solutions.
The session concluded with an exchange on the future of CIRN. Participants expressed strong interest in continuing the network, particularly through sessions focused on circular construction, financing opportunities, stakeholder connections and practical knowledge-sharing. While this marked the final CIRN session organised under CircularInvest, the network will continue its activities through other initiatives.
Want to stay connected? Register for the CIRN mailing list to hear about future network activities, upcoming events, and new resources supporting circular economy businesses: https://circularinvestmentreadiness.eu/
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.
Access here the agenda and detailed information about the event!
Circle Economy brought together entrepreneurs, financiers, policymakers and development institutions to explore one key question: what can be solved through finance, and what requires broader systemic change?
With just weeks to go, registration is filling up fast for "Scaling Circular Investment: From Barriers to Opportunity", the final CircularInvest event taking place on 15 October 2026 at Maison Grand-Place in the centre of Brussels, a side event to the European Week of Regions and Cities.
