CEIC Bengaluru to explore the scaling circular economy solutions beyond pilot stage at WCEF 2026

Bengaluru: The Circular Economy Innovation Cluster (CEIC) Bengaluru will host an online accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 on September 18, focusing on the challenges of taking circular economy initiatives beyond the pilot stage and turning them into scalable, system-wide solutions.

The session, titled around the question of what it takes to scale circular economy programmes, will draw on lessons from Climate KIC Entrepreneurship’s work in Bengaluru and Nairobi.

It will examine the practical barriers faced by circular ventures as they seek to expand their operations and achieve wider market impact.

Key discussions will focus on market access, access to capital, business-scaling challenges and the role of informal workers in circular value chains. The session will also explore how stronger connections among entrepreneurs, investors, governments and ecosystem-support organisations can help move promising circular solutions from demonstration projects to commercially viable and inclusive models.

The session will feature Christian Daube, Iram M, Laura Benns, Patricia Jumi, Dr. Shwetmala Kashyap and Srinita Mitra, bringing perspectives spanning ecosystem building, investment, entrepreneurship, programme delivery and circular economy.

The online session will be held on September 18 from 3:30 pm to 5 pm IST as part of WCEF 2026.

CEIC is a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem focused on generating solutions for waste prevention through partnerships involving Climate KIC, Europe’s climate innovation agency, Second Muse and Growth Africa, with funding from the IKEA Foundation.

Launched in 2023 and active through 2027, CEIC brings together entrepreneurs, informal workers, investors, entrepreneurship support organisations and government bodies to promote upstream circular innovation and build more inclusive and sustainable local economies in Bengaluru.