ICLEI Africa, SU Launch Lab and the Embassy of Finland to South Africa, as part of the ACE Africa Project hosted a Circular Business Showcase on 30 November 2021. Enthusiastic and excited entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to share their businesses and ideas in front of a 3-judge panel, which included Joanna Bingham (Footprints Africa), Paul Currie (ICLEI Africa) and Paul Rowett (Serial entrepreneur) who all have expertise in the circular economy and/or business development.
Circular businesses offer circular economy solutions that can positively affect consumer and production behavior. Some of the entrepreneurs developed circular businesses that respond to experiences that affect them directly, including issues of access to shelter and electricity, as well as food loss. Two businesses responded to a waste problem emanating from daily coffee consumption, creating a sustainable solution to waste from a beverage many of us depend on daily.
The showcase included a monetary prize for businesses and ideas showcased.