Circular economy investors capitalizing waste management and materials recovery in 2026

Circular economy investors want to see real unit economics. Most waste and recycling businesses look great on paper until you calculate reverse logistics costs or contamination rates. You need investors who understand why your gross margins won't hit 80% like SaaS. This list covers 18 investors who closed circular economy deals from 2025 to 2026.

Quick list

Finding investors who understand waste economics

Experience: Find investors who've backed companies through facility construction and permitting nightmares. Most software VCs don't understand why you need 18 months for environmental approvals.

Network: Check if they can intro you to waste management companies, municipalities, or industrial partners. Brand name recognition matters less than actual customer relationships in waste. Strengthen that advantage by using a GDPR workflow from Ellty to safely share early materials.

Alignment: Make sure they've funded asset-heavy businesses with 30-40% gross margins before. Growth-stage VCs often don't understand why recycling operations can't scale like marketplaces.

Track record: Look at whether their portfolio companies actually built facilities and reached profitable unit economics. Pilot programs that never scaled are red flags. Notice if they supported companies through tax code changes while following strong DPA-compliant sharing standards.

Communication: Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links. You'll see who actually opens your facility economics and contamination rate data versus just skimming the sustainability narrative.

Value-add: Ask what operational support they provide during facility ramp-up and permitting processes. Generic "we'll help you hire" answers are useless when you're negotiating offtake agreements with waste haulers.

How to reach circular economy investors

Identify potential investors: Research recent deals on Crunchbase in waste management, recycling, and materials recovery. Climate tech generalists often talk about circular economy but rarely write checks for asset-heavy businesses.

Craft a compelling pitch: Show actual waste streams you've secured access to and contamination rates from your pilot. Most investors are tired of "we'll divert X tons from landfills" without proof you can process contaminated feedstock profitably.

Share your pitch deck: Upload to Ellty and send trackable links. Monitor which pages investors spend time on. If they skip your facility buildout timeline and capex requirements, they're probably not serious about asset-heavy models.

Utilize your network: Message portfolio founders on LinkedIn and ask about investor patience during permitting delays and facility commissioning. Most will be honest about which investors panic when operations take longer than projected. Capture contacts using our lead capture feature.

Attend networking events: Circularity conferences, WasteExpo, and Resource Recycling events are where deals actually happen. Skip generic climate tech conferences where circular economy gets grouped with carbon credits.

Engage on online platforms: Connect with partners on LinkedIn after you've been introduced through waste management industry contacts. Cold DMs rarely work for businesses requiring facility tours and waste stream validation.

Organize due diligence: Set up an Ellty data room with your facility designs, waste composition analysis, offtake agreements, and permits before they ask. Infrastructure diligence takes months and organized materials speed it up.

Set up introductory meetings: Lead with your secured waste streams and processing costs per ton. Don't waste 20 minutes on circular economy market size slides. They want to know if Republic Services will sign an offtake agreement next quarter.

Why circular economy funding matters in 2026

2026 marks a shift in waste and recycling investment. The hype cycle from 2018-2020 crashed because most startups couldn't handle contaminated feedstock at scale. Now investors want proof of facility operations and signed offtake agreements before Series A. Extended Producer Responsibility laws in California and packaging bans in the EU created $12B in compliance spending, according to Closed Loop Partners data.

The investors on this list backed companies that built actual facilities and reached positive unit economics, not just ran pilot programs. That's the bar now.

18 circular economy investors active in 2026

1. Closed Loop Partners

They only invest in circular economy businesses and understand reverse logistics economics. Their portfolio includes companies that actually process millions of tons of waste annually.

• Recent Deals: AMP Robotics $91M Series C (February 2025), Redwood Materials $1B Series D (co-investor, June 2025), Trex Company recycling expansion (2025)
• LinkedIn: Ron Gonen
• Sector Focus: Recycling technology, materials recovery, sustainable packaging, waste reduction
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: New York, USA
• Website: closedlooppartners.com

2. Regeneration.VC

They back companies replacing single-use plastics with regenerative materials. They led Sway when most investors thought seaweed packaging was too early.

• Recent Deals: Sway $27M Series A (May 2025), Loliware edible packaging (2025), Notpla seaweed packaging (co-investor, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Anthony Chow
• Sector Focus: Bio-based materials, regenerative agriculture, plastic alternatives, compostable packaging
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: regeneration.vc

3. Buoyant Ventures

They invest in resource efficiency and waste reduction startups. They backed Ridwell when most VCs thought residential recycling pickup was too operationally complex.

• Recent Deals: Ridwell $18M (January 2026), Rheaply materials marketplace (co-investor, 2026), Grove Collaborative sustainability products (2025)
• LinkedIn: Alix Anderson
• Sector Focus: Waste reduction, resource efficiency, sustainable consumer products, circular business models
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Oakland, USA
• Website: buoyant.vc

4. SOSV

Their HAX program includes multiple hardware and materials startups working on waste reduction. They write early checks when you're still figuring out manufacturing.

• Recent Deals: GreenPod Labs $8M Series A (November 2025), Shellworks biomaterial packaging (2025), Tipa compostable packaging (portfolio company, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Sean O'Sullivan
• Sector Focus: Food waste reduction, compostable materials, packaging innovation, recycling technology
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: sosv.com

5. Circularity Capital

UK-based fund focused exclusively on circular economy businesses in Europe. They understand EU Extended Producer Responsibility regulations better than most US investors.

• Recent Deals: ReViral €15M Series B (October 2025), Greyparrot AI waste sorting (co-investor, 2025), Recycleye robotic sorting (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Rob Kaplan
• Sector Focus: Textile recycling, plastic recycling, waste sorting technology, materials recovery
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Growth
• Location: London, UK
• Website: circularitycapital.com

6. Fifth Wall

Real estate tech fund that backs circular economy solutions for buildings. They invested in Rheaply when most proptech investors didn't see the connection to materials reuse.

• Recent Deals: Rheaply $12M Series A (co-lead, February 2026), Material Bank samples logistics (2025), Atmos energy storage (2025)
• LinkedIn: Brendan Wallace
• Sector Focus: Materials reuse, construction waste, building decarbonization, sustainable materials
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Growth
• Location: Los Angeles, USA
• Website: fifthwall.com

7. Blue Horizon

Food system investors who back packaging alternatives and food waste solutions. They led Notpla at $100M valuation when the company had minimal revenue.

• Recent Deals: Notpla $25M (March 2025), Apeel Sciences food preservation (co-investor, 2025), Too Good To Go food waste app (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Roger Lienhard
• Sector Focus: Food packaging, food waste reduction, sustainable food systems, bio-based materials
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Zurich, Switzerland
• Website: bluehorizon.com

8. Tin Shed Ventures

They back circular economy startups in consumer goods and packaging. They invested in Algramo's reusable packaging when most VCs thought the model was too capital intensive.

• Recent Deals: Algramo $7M (August 2025), Loop reusable packaging platform (portfolio, 2025), Returnity reusable shipping (2025)
• LinkedIn: Bill Clerico
• Sector Focus: Reusable packaging, refill systems, sustainable consumer goods, reverse logistics
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Portland, USA
• Website: tinshedventures.com

9. Spring Lane Capital

Growth equity firm focused on environmental services and waste infrastructure. They led RTS's $150M round when most growth investors wouldn't touch waste operations.

• Recent Deals: RTS organic waste $150M (December 2025), GFL Environmental waste services (portfolio, 2025), Rubicon Technologies waste software (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Vic Parker
• Sector Focus: Waste processing, organics recycling, environmental services, waste infrastructure
• Stage Focus: Growth, Buyout
• Location: Stamford, USA
• Website: springlanecapital.com

10. Material Impact

They only invest in advanced materials and sustainable manufacturing. They co-invested in Nth Cycle when battery recycling economics finally made sense.

• Recent Deals: Nth Cycle $20M (co-investor, January 2026), Solugen chemical recycling (portfolio, 2025), Boston Metal metals production (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Carmichael Roberts
• Sector Focus: Battery recycling, chemical recycling, materials recovery, sustainable manufacturing
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Boston, USA
• Website: material.vc

11. Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Bill Gates' climate fund backs breakthrough technologies including advanced recycling. They invested in Heliogen when most thought solar-to-fuels was decades away.

• Recent Deals: Heliogen solar fuels $1B valuation (2025), Redwood Materials battery recycling (co-investor, 2025), Boston Metal sustainable steel (co-investor, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Carmichael Roberts
• Sector Focus: Advanced recycling, sustainable manufacturing, industrial decarbonization, materials innovation
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Kirkland, USA
• Website: breakthroughenergy.org

12. Capricorn Investment Group

They led Redwood Materials' $1B round when most investors thought battery recycling was too capital intensive. They understand infrastructure-scale circular economy businesses.

• Recent Deals: Redwood Materials $1B Series D (June 2025), Nth Cycle battery materials (co-investor, 2026), Li-Cycle battery recycling (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Rodi Guidero
• Sector Focus: Battery recycling, electric vehicle infrastructure, renewable energy, materials recovery
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Website: capricorninvestmentgroup.com

13. Pale Blue Dot

European climate tech fund backing AI-powered waste solutions. They invested in Greyparrot when waste analytics was still an emerging category.

• Recent Deals: Greyparrot €10M (April 2025), Remondis waste services tech (portfolio, 2025), Nordsense smart waste bins (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Joel Hjortsberg
• Sector Focus: Waste analytics, AI sorting, smart waste management, recycling optimization
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Stockholm, Sweden
• Website: paleblue.vc

14. BMW i Ventures

Corporate VC backing circular economy solutions for automotive and battery industries. They invested in Li-Cycle when automakers needed lithium supply security.

• Recent Deals: Li-Cycle battery recycling expansion (2025), Redwood Materials partnership (2025), Ecobat battery recycling (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Marcus Behrendt
• Sector Focus: Battery recycling, automotive materials, circular supply chains, EV infrastructure
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Mountain View, USA
• Website: bmwiventures.com

15. Collaborative Fund

They back mission-driven companies in circular economy and sustainability. They led The Renewal Workshop when most consumer VCs didn't understand garment refurbishment economics.

• Recent Deals: The Renewal Workshop $15M Series B (January 2026), For Days clothing recycling (portfolio, 2025), Lomi home composting (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Craig Shapiro
• Sector Focus: Clothing repair, textile recycling, consumer circularity, sustainable fashion
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: New York, USA
• Website: collaborativefund.com

16. Amazon Climate Pledge Fund

Amazon's $2B climate fund backing circular economy solutions in logistics and packaging. They co-invested in Redwood Materials for battery supply chain circularity.

• Recent Deals: Redwood Materials $30M (2025), Rivian electric vehicles (co-investor, 2025), CMC Machinery sustainable packaging (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Kara Hurst
• Sector Focus: Packaging recycling, battery recycling, sustainable logistics, materials recovery
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Seattle, USA
• Website: amazon.com/climatepledgefund

17. Congruent Ventures

Early-stage climate tech fund backing waste management software and infrastructure. They led Accelerate Waste when most VCs thought waste hauling software was too boring.

• Recent Deals: Accelerate Waste $6M seed (November 2025), Recycle Track Systems waste analytics (portfolio, 2025), Rubicon waste logistics (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Joshua Posamentier
• Sector Focus: Waste management software, recycling logistics, industrial waste, materials tracking
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: Boston, USA
• Website: congruentvc.com

18. CLEAN Ventures

Early-stage cleantech investors backing battery and electronics recycling. They led Green Li-ion when lithium prices made recycling economics work.

• Recent Deals: Green Li-ion $6M Series A (October 2025), Ascend Elements battery recycling (portfolio, 2025), Li-Cycle partnerships (portfolio, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Ross Farnsworth
• Sector Focus: Battery recycling, electronics recycling, critical minerals recovery, circular supply chains
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: Cincinnati, USA
• Website: cleanventures.com

Track which investors care about your waste stream economics

These 18 investors closed circular economy deals from 2025 to 2026. Before you start reaching out, set up proper tracking.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your unit economics and facility buildout plans. Most founders are surprised to learn investors skip the environmental impact slides but spend 15+ minutes on contamination rates and processing costs per ton.

When investors ask for diligence materials, share an Ellty data room instead of messy email threads. Your waste composition analysis, offtake agreements, facility designs, and permits in one secure place with view analytics. You'll know if they're actually reviewing your operational plans or just skimming sustainability narratives.

Common questions

How do I know if an investor actually understands waste economics?

Ask which portfolio companies built facilities and reached positive unit economics. If they can't name specific processing costs per ton or contamination rate challenges, they probably invested in early rounds and exited before operational reality hit.

Should I pitch climate tech generalists or circular economy specialists?

Circular economy specialists understand why your margins are 35% instead of 70%. Climate tech generalists often expect software economics from hardware businesses. Only pitch generalists if they have waste industry advisors.

What traction do I need for a seed round?

You need proof that you can process contaminated feedstock profitably at pilot scale. That means processing data from 50+ tons minimum, not just clean material in a lab. Seed investors want to see a path to facility construction within 24 months.

How long does circular economy fundraising take?

Plan for 12-18 months from first pitch to term sheet for Series A. Due diligence includes facility site visits, waste stream validation, permit reviews, and offtake agreement negotiations. Use that time to secure your waste supply agreements.

When should I set up a data room?

Before you start Series A conversations. Investors will ask for facility designs, waste composition data, environmental permits, and customer contracts. Having everything organized in Ellty saves months during diligence.

Do circular economy investors care about pitch deck analytics?

Yes, especially which operational slides they review. If investors skip your facility economics or contamination rate data, they're probably not serious about asset-heavy businesses. Track time spent on capex requirements and processing costs per ton.