Coming together for transition? Entrepreneurial ecosystems for a circular economy

ABSTRACT

Circular ecosystems can be a role model in the transition to a circular economy, can inspire and motivate other entrepreneurs, and may possibly have a transformative effect in the transition. For example, by deploying knowledge and experience for a targeted lobby for policy change – such as changes in the law and regulations. Four circular ecosystems were studied to discover how they function, and what they may contribute to the transition to a circular economy. The research shows that cooperation in ecosystems can provide circular start-ups with much added value. At the same time, the research also shows that the influence of the four circular ecosystems investigated is limited regarding the local transition to a circular economy. The ecosystems are not examples of a circular economy yet. But ecosystems are not static entities. They are on the move, as this research demonstrates.

KEYWORDS:

• Circular economy
• entrepreneurial ecosystems
• transition governance
• start-ups

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Maarten Punt for helpful comments and suggestions on previous versions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/circulaire-economie/nederland-circulair-in-2050.

2. https://circulairfriesland.frl/.

3. https://bluecity.nl.

4. https://thegreeneast.nl/.

5. http://www.buitengoeddeherfte.nl/.

6. https://zwinc.nl/.

7. https://www.hibertad.nl/.

8. https://excessmaterialsexchange.com/en_us/about-us/.

9. https://madaster.nl.

10. https://versnellingshuisce.nl.